Strap in for Fascial Stretch Therapy Facts

Kinetic Wellness now offers Fascial Stretch Therapy!

If you’re not excited, that may be because...you don’t know what the heck that is. Don’t worry, we’ll walk through all the benefits of this modality and how it works hand in hand with your massage.

What is Fascia?

First you need to know what you’re stretching. 

It may be easier to talk about what fascia is not. 

-Fascia is not muscles

-Fascia is not tendons

-Fascia is not skin

I know what you’re thinking, “But, that’s all the things!” 

It’s weird, but this thing you’re maybe just hearing about for the first time, is all throughout your body in some way shape or form. Your fascia is a fibrous connective tissue that encases your muscles, organs, and keeps them separate from each other. 

Even though we may think of ourselves as just a bag of stuff, our fascia is what helps give us our structure around our bones, and muscles. It’s there so we don’t just, slosh together. 

It’s also really strong. “Fascia can withstand up to 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.” Which is about as much pressure applied by your average power washer.  

The fascia is made up of collagen and has its own nerves as well, so it stands to reason that it also needs a little TLC just like our muscles do. We talked to Kelly Erving, our team’s Fascial Stretch Therapist, about this modality, what it can do and who it’s for, to help our clients wrap their heads around the benefits.

What’s Fascial Stretch Therapy?

Since your fascia works so hard, it can be holding a lot of tension, just like our muscles do. 

So how does Fascial Stretch Therapy help? Kelly gives us the run down. 

“The stretch helps reduce pressure and release stored pressure in the fascia, reducing pain,  improving circulation and flexibility while boosting energy… not to mention improved joint health and posture.”

That’s great, but how is it different from any other stretching? 

“The difference between FST and other common forms of assisted stretching is how particular elements like circumduction [moving in a circular or cone shape], oscillation [moving back and forth at a regular speed] and traction [decompression, pulling] are combined. There is no ‘forcing’ of muscles. FST is done in an anatomical and logical order without pain.”

You may notice straps on the table when you start your appointment. These are to help involved to help you and your Therapist work through the treatment together. The straps keep you in place on the table as certain moves are performed. It also helps downregulate your central nervous system. What does that mean?

Downregulation is “the process of reducing or suppressing a response to a stimulus.” The compression of the straps, activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which we’ve talked about a few times (it’s the break pedal, not the gas). That helps do things like lower your heart rate and help you relax. It also helps keep your mind off rolling off the table so you can focus on healing.

Who is Fascial Stretch Therapy For? 

After all that, you may be wondering, “Should I get Fascial Stretch Therapy?” 

The answer is, YES, but there are some people who may find it really changes their life. 

“Anyone and everyone can benefit in some way from FST but those with chronic pain, individuals who train regularly, or someone rehabbing an injury” can really find relief in this modality, says Kelly. 

If you’re already a Kinetric Wellness regular, it can only enhance your massage experience.

“Massage & FST are so complimentary because both create an environment of positive change in the body. That is what I absolutely love about FST is that it creates positive and lasting change when practiced consistently.”

Where do I sign up? 

We’re happy to offer Fascial Stretch Therapy with Kelly Erving, who has been certified in FST since 2016 by the founders of the modality themselves, Ann & Chris Frederick, at the Stretch to Win Institute in Chandler, Arizona. You can read more about Kelly’s story here!

You can also book your Fascial Stretch Therapy Session now! 

Click the button below to learn about this modality first hand.