What is Stretchology?
Our assisted stretching service helps you to unlock your body’s full potential when it comes to range of motion. Our tailored approach combines a variety of techniques to improve your flexibility and improve pain. Whether you’re in need of a stretch after sitting for long periods of time or you’re recovering from a sports injury, our certified stretchologists can help.
Stretchology is a holistic approach to improving flexibility and mobility and focuses on gentle yet effective stretching techniques. It’s a one-to-one assisted stretching system combining mindful stretching, breathing exercises, and targeted movements carried out by a professional.
How Does Stretchology Work?
After an initial consultation talking through your concerns and assessing your range of movement, our stretchologist will use a series of techniques to improve your flexibility through your fascial, muscle, and joint tissues. This includes utilising techniques such as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) which involves alternating between the contraction and relaxation of muscles.
What Happens During Our Stretchology Sessions?
During your session, we will ask you to lie on our treatment couch and fully relax so we can guide your muscles into various stretch positions without them working to get there. Typically, our stretchologist aims for a pleasant 7-8/10 intensity on the pain scale, but adjustments can be made for gentler movements if you wish which can be discussed in the session. Throughout the session, we may carry out certain movements such as side lying, supine, prone, and seated positions to target specific muscle groups effectively.
As we move onto different areas of the body, our stretchologist will perform gentle joint articulation to prepare and warm up the joints. Since the muscles will be stretching from a cold state, you will be transitioned into stretches gradually to prevent any potential muscle strains.
Difference Between Stretchology and Stretching
Assisted stretching and simple stretching are two very different techniques for improving flexibility and range of motion. Stretchology involves dynamic stretching techniques whereas typical stretching involves holding a specific stretch for a prolonged period of time.
Dynamic stretching
Dynamic stretching involves moving through a range of motions in a controlled manner which helps to warm up the muscles. It is usually carried out at a steady pace compared to most other workouts.
Static stretching
Static stretching involves extending specific muscles and holding the position. For example, holding one leg behind your back compared to a walking lunge during dynamic stretching.
Is Stretchology the Same as Yoga?
Although both stretchology and yoga involve stretching, yoga focuses more on meditation and places emphasis on breathwork. Stretchology aims to improve flexibility and mobility through targeted stretching techniques tailored to the individual. This approach ensures that specific areas of concern are targeted.
Yoga, on the other hand, is a practice that involves physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and philosophical teachings.
Benefits of Stretchology
Stretchology uses various techniques to enhance and sustain flexibility and offer transformative benefits, including:
- Reducing back, joint, and muscle pain to ease discomfort and promote relaxation.
- Lowering the risk of injury, particularly muscle and ligament sprains, by reducing muscle soreness and tension.
- Improves posture and promotes balanced symmetry, leading to a more confident and graceful presence.
- Optimising physical performance, enables you to reach new heights and conquer challenges with ease.
- Restores normal joint space and alignment, enhancing mobility and flexibility.
- Increases the release of endorphins, natural pain suppressants, fostering a sense of well-being and contentment.
Will stretchology be beneficial for me?
Assisted stretching is great for people of all ages, backgrounds, and body types. It’s a gentle form of movement that helps you feel rejuvenated. By incorporating targeted stretching techniques, you can alleviate stiffness, reduce muscle tension, and enhance your overall well-being. In short, stretchology is great for everyone, especially:
- If you sit at their desk for long periods of time and feel the need to stretch out their muscles, regain posture, and get themselves moving again.
- If you work out and want to reduce the risk of injuries. Stretchology is great for both pre and post-workouts as it can increase blood flow and lengthen your muscles which have contracted during periods of intense exercise.
- If you are recovering from a sporting injury and feel as though your muscles need an extra stretch-boost to get you back on track.
What to Expect During Your Stretchology Consultation
For new patients, during the consultation, it’s important we discuss any present or past injuries, any health conditions, or any surgeries that could impact the session. We then discuss any problem areas (the areas that feel tight, areas that cause issues) or any flexibility goals such as touching toes or being able to sit on heels.
During your consultation, we want to make sure we get an accurate feel of your flexibility, so please make sure to wear something easy to move around in as there will be some ‘open’ positions you will be moved into. The clothing we recommend includes:
- Leggings
- Shorts
- Sweatpants
- T-shirts
- Activewear
We highly advise no jeans or shirts if possible.
Stretchology at Bansel Osteopathy
At Bansel Osteopathy, you can discover the transformative power of Stretchology. Faith Chamberlain, the senior stretchologist at StretchLab in London, leads the way in enhancing flexibility and promoting overall well-being. She brings her wealth of knowledge and experience in assisted stretching and believes regular stretching is key to healthy joints and muscles.
Alongside stretchology, Faith utilises her diverse skill set to offer soft tissue massage, joint manipulations, and other manual therapy techniques paired with rehabilitative exercises to treat a variety of issues.
Faith has a Master’s degree in Osteopathy and is certified in medical acupuncture and osteopathic lymphatic drainage techniques, so you know you’re getting help from a real expert.
Haywards Heath Stretchology Prices
At Bansel Osteopathy, we believe in providing high-quality care that is both effective and affordable. Why not give stretchology a go and see how we can transform your movement? Our prices are as follows:
- Stretchology Consultation (1 hour): £55
- Stretchology Stretch Session (30 mins): £35
Why Choose Bansel Osteopathy
We are a private osteopathy clinic in Haywards Heath offering a range of services including stretchology and assisted stretching. We offer professional services and are dedicated to helping our clients feel their best. Our expertise in every service makes us the number one choice for stretchology in the area.
Stretchology Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend stretchology sessions at least once a month, but ideally once a week or fortnightly. However, this depends on the person and their lifestyle. If a patient trains hard, then more frequent sessions may be needed. Alternatively, if a patient doesn’t do any exercise or is naturally flexible, then less frequent sessions may be needed to prevent overstretching.
Sessions are available in either 25 or 50-minute durations. The shorter sessions are ideal for focussing on specific areas like the hips, neck, or shoulders, and the longer sessions are great for covering the entire body.
Typically, we avoid stretching people who have had surgery, broken bones, or fractures in the last 6 months. Additionally, anyone with uncontrolled high blood pressure people who are pregnant, or people who gave birth less than 6 months ago. However, during your consultation, if we believe something needs further investigation, we may cancel your appointment and refer you for osteopathy.
Many people feel much lighter, looser, and relaxed immediately after the session, and the results can last longer if patients stretch at home too.
Yes, stretchology can complement other forms of exercise such as strength training, cardio, or Pilates.
Yes, Stretchology can improve sports performance by enhancing flexibility, mobility, and muscle function. Athletes can benefit from increased range of motion, improved muscle activation, and reduced risk of injury, leading to better overall performance.