Brook Seminars: About Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)

 F.A.S.T. (Flexibility and Strength Training)Therapy™

 

What is F.A.S.T. Therapy™?

Flexibility and Strength Training or F.A.S.T. Therapy™ is a comprehensive approach designed to help a person achieve and maintain balance and well being.  The human body is beautifully complex. Many factors affect how it functions and each of these factors, mental, emotional, and physical, need to be recognized and addressed. F.A.S.T. Therapy is designed to pay attention to each individual aspect of the client.  Communication with special emphasis on individualized cueing techniques and body mechanics are utilized in every session. The manual part of the therapy follows the principles of  Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening (AIS).

 

What is Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)?

Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is a scientifically designed flexibility system based on fundamental anatomical movements of joints, ligaments and muscles.  AIS has been expanded by decades of clinical trial and observation to become the system we know today. 

By taking advantage of physiological laws AIS creates a whole body system that works with the body, not against it. AIS gently stretches a specific muscle, holds the stretch for 2 seconds and then releases. This pumping action circulates purifying oxygen into the muscle tissue and flushes out damaging toxins such as lactic acid.

Active isolated stretching is practiced in many areas of healthcare and sports, by a multitude of professionals including Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Personal Trainers and Athletes.


Pioneered by Aaron L. Mattes, Active Isolated Stretching can be utilized by every person interested in improving their health.  Trained practitioners use AIS to advance the recovery of their clients quickly and efficiently.  AIS will improve the body's potential to heal and to perform at a higher level in every aspect, (everyday tasks to recreational adventures) of life.   

 

Active Isolated Stretching helps the body to become more efficient by increasing joint range of motion and providing muscular re-education through foundational training of the muscles.  By utilizing AIS, individuals become more balanced, less susceptible to injury and promote their overall well-being.

 

 

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How AIS Works

There are two primary principles that provide the basis for how AIS works.  The first is Sherrington's law of reciprocal inhibition.  Reciprocal inhibition is the neurological process of inhibiting the muscle that needs to relax in order to move a joint.  In other words, if you want to lift your arm, your nervous system has to shut off the muscles that bring your arm down while turning on the ones that lift it up.  Working with your nervous system; you are able to re-educate your muscles to function properly through a full range of motion. 

 

The second principle is to respect the stretch reflex of the spindle cell.  The stretch reflex is the triggering of a muscular contraction when the spindle cells sense an injurious stretch.  The stretch reflex is set off by three different stimuli.  The first is when the muscle is stretched beyond its tensile ability.  The second is when a muscle is stretched too quickly.  The third is when a stretch is held for too long.  The time it takes for the spindle cells to trigger the stretch reflex in a controlled movement is about 2 seconds.  Observing these three triggers will allow for a safe and effective stretch every time.  This means never stretching a muscle too far.  To help assure this, every assist must be done gently.  Keep all of your movements slow and controlled to be certain the muscle does not move too quickly.  Remember, holding a stretch for longer than 2 seconds causes your spindle cells to fire.

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Benefits of Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)

  • Improves flexibility
  • Stress relief
  • Reduces muscle spasm
  • Quickens recovery after an injury
  • Promotes balance in the body
  • Chronic pain relief
  • Better posture
  • Relieves muscle soreness
  • Increases athletic performance
  • Reduces the risk of muscle strain and ligament sprain
  • Improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells
  • Stimulates lymph circulation and eliminates cellular waste

 

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AIS is effective in treating a range of physical disorders including:

  • Ankle Sprains
  • Arthritis
  • Calf Muscle Pull
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Chronic Lower Back Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Golfers Elbow
  • Headaches
  • Knee & Hip Replacement
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs
  • Poor Circulation
  • Pre & Post Surgery
  • Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
  • Scleroderma
  • Scoliosis
  • Spine Injuries
  • Sports Injuries
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Thigh & Hamstring Pulls
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  • Whiplash Injuries

 

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Do you have more questions about Active Isolated Stretching? Would you like to meet other AIS Practitioners? Share your experiences with stretching of any kind or possibly join in on interesting discussions?  Visit our blog on Facebook! 

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