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What is ACTIVE ISOLATED STRETCHING (AIS)?
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is a scientifically designed flexibility system that involves targeting and working one muscle at a time. By actively contracting muscles opposite of the targeted muscle, the body automatically relaxes the specific muscle in preparation of its stretch. AIS gently stretches a muscle, holds the stretch for 2 seconds and then releases, this pumping action forces purifying oxygen into the muscle tissue and flushes out damaging toxins such as lactic acid. Developed by Aaron L. Mattes, Active Isolated Stretching is utilized by doctors, therapists and athletes to improve the body's potential to not only heal itself, but to enhance performance as well. Active Isolated-Stretching allows the body to become more efficient and increases range of motion. By utilizing AIS, individuals are more balanced, less susceptible to injury and promote overall well-being.  About
Aaron Mattes
Aaron Mattes received his Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has directed rehabilitation clinics at the University of Illinois and at the University of Toledo. Aaron Mattes lectures internationally to people in the health care and sports profession, and is the author of Active Isolated Stretching: The Mattes Method. He currently directs a sports medicine and rehabilitation clinic in Sarasota Florida. To learn more about Aaron and his Clinic please visit his website www.stretchingusa.com
Facts about Active Isolated
Stretching
Sherrington’s Law says that when muscles on one side of a joint are contracted, the antagonist muscles must be inhibited for movement to occur. It is during this relaxation or inhibition that a stretch is allowed to physiologically occur. These movements are designed to not only affect the muscle fibers themselves, but also the surrounding fascia. It is in the fascia where most adhesions occur in response to the traumas that we encounter.
Flexibility plays a major role in mood, posture, physical
fitness, orthopedic rehabilitation and physical medicine. Despite its
integration into sports, dance and exercise classes, few people stretch
properly. When performed improperly, stretching can exacerbate the very
condition it was originally intended to correct.
The effectiveness in alleviating pain, and recovery from surgery make AIS an effective treatment modality. It is used successfully with spinal cord injuries, severe spasticity, osteoporosis, scoliosis, arthritis, and many other (orthopedic, neurological and sports related) chronic conditions that are difficult to solve. The physical and emotional benefits of a properly designed flexibility program are profound. The quality of life lost through loss of soft tissue elasticity and ease of motion is easily understood by anyone who has ever been injured. A program of gentle, relaxed stretching augments the capacities of the respiratory, circulatory and neuromuscular systems, increasing their capability to cope with the stress and pressures of today's high-speed, fast-paced society.
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