What is assisted stretching?

Your therapist positions a limb and takes the joint through its range while you stay passive. Because you are not contracting the muscle to hold the position, it lengthens further and more comfortably than it would on your own.

Hips, hamstrings and shoulders are the areas most people want worked.

How is it different from stretching on your own?

When you stretch yourself, the muscle you are lengthening is partly working to hold you there. That limits how far it goes.

With a therapist doing the work, the muscle stays relaxed through the whole range. Most people find they reach positions they cannot get to alone.

Should stretching go before or after a massage?

After, usually. Warm tissue stretches further and more safely than cold tissue, so the massage does the preparation.

The exception is if you are very stiff and want the therapist to find your restrictions first, in which case a few minutes of stretching at the start tells them where to focus.

Who is assisted stretching for?

Anyone who sits a lot, trains regularly, or has lost range of motion without a specific injury. It pairs particularly well with sports massage, since the two work on the same thing from different angles.

It is also useful if deep pressure is uncomfortable for you but you still want the mobility benefit.

How long does it take?

Our stretching add-on runs roughly fifteen minutes on top of your massage, focused on two or three areas. Tell your therapist what feels restricted and they will build it around that.

Who should avoid assisted stretching?

If you have a recent injury, a joint condition, hypermobility, or are recovering from surgery, talk to your doctor before booking. Let us know about any injuries when you arrive so your therapist can adjust or avoid the area.

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