is assisted stretching worth it?
Focus on your health span not your life span
In the book Outlive, Dr. Peter Attia talks compellingly about the importance of optimising your health span – the period of your life spent in good health and independence. This extends way beyond increasing lifespan; it's about maximising your quality of life as you age. Maintaining flexibility and a full range of motion are crucial pillars of longevity and arguably the most important ones.
Take a moment to imagine your future self where you're not just living longer, but thriving longer. Picture yourself at 80, still travelling, dancing like no one is watching (or is that just me!), chasing after your grandchildren at the park, swimming in the warm sea or simply enjoying the freedom of movement that allows you to live independently, keep an active social life and and pursue your purpose. This vision of a long and vibrant health span is in reach for all of us - if you are prepared to be proactive with your health instead of reactive.
“Picture yourself at 80, still travelling, dancing, swimming in the warm sea and enjoying freedom of movement. This vision of a long and vibrant health span is in reach for all of us - if you are proactive now.”
Flexibility linked to longevity and reduces risk of early death
A recent Scandinavian study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found a strong correlation between flexibility and longevity. People with greater flexibility were found to have a significantly lower risk of early death. What more do yo need to know to start taking your flexibility seriously if you want to live a long and healthy life?
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is a medically grounded assisted stretching technique developed in the 1950’s by physiotherapists that can significantly enhance your freedom of movement.
Unlike traditional static stretching that you might do on your own at a yoga class or at home for example, PNF assisted stretching involves a series of carefully orchestrated movements facilitated on a one-on-one basis by a Stretch Therapist that engage both the muscle and the nervous system. This dynamic approach can lead to remarkable improvements in flexibility, range of motion, and neuromuscular control.
Assisted Stretching goes beyond static stretching
Here are 5 compelling reasons why PNF assisted stretching should be considered a crucial component of your preventative healthcare routine:
1. It combats age related flexibility decline
On average, we lose 1% of our flexibility each year after the age of 30. Studies show that this can be regained with regular PNF assisted stretching in as many weeks. People will typically gain 10-15% increase in flexibility compared to static stretching within the same timeframe.
2. Injury and fall prevention
One of the biggest causes of early death is falling. It may feel like a long way away when you go from ‘falling over’ to ‘having a fall’ but focusing on your mobility now with simple exercises like getting up from a chair without using your hands or the more advanced, getting up from the floor in crossed legs without using your hands will greatly help you recover from a fall in the future.
Regular PNF assisted stretching will improve balance, coordination, and agility, all of which are crucial for fall prevention and helps accelerate you mobility in an effortless way.
3. Eases joint and muscle pain
Assisted stretching will ease joint and muscle pain and reduces inflammation. If your joints are inflamed, you are more likely to stay home and sit or lie down for longer periods. While some rest is good, too many hours sitting or lying down will make your pain worse. Movement is medicine and if it feels too painful to do some simple exercises solo, assisted stretching is the solution you need.
The PNF method of assisted stretching will lower your cortisol levels through activation of your parasympathetic nervous system which in turn will lower inflammation. Your joints and muscle pain will ease, helping you get on with living a pain-free life.
4. Reduces chronic pain
Many of us live with some form of chronic pain. Whether its long term back pain, neck tension, hip tightness or something more fundamental such as fibromyalgia, PNF assisted stretching will ease that pain.
Studies have demonstrated that PNF assisted stretching can help to reduce chronic back pain by up to 30% and many of our regular clients come to Stretch Life to relieve their back pain and sciatica with powerful results. We also see clients with fibromyalgia and thyroid inflammation conditions for example that hugely benefit from regular stretching.
5. Calms the nervous system
Modern life has our nervous systems on high alert all the time. A ping of a notification, the stress of a full inbox, traffic and train issues, a million things on the to-do list all contribute. Even with meditation and yoga, it can be hard to truly calm our nervous system but with the help of your Stretch Therapist to guide you through the breathing and to move your body through the PNF stretches will engage your muscular and nervous system, taking everything down a few notches for deep relaxation.
See stress and anxiety slip away as you emerge from a stretch session feeling calm and relaxed with a new sense of openness.
Assisted Stretching can’t be achieved alone
The clue is in the name. Assisted stretching requires the assistance of another person to guide your body through each PNF stretch for optimum increase in your range of motion.
Yes, you can reach an increase in flexibility with static stretching but assisted stretching accelerates your mobility and because your brain is being taught to remember the openness you achieve, the effects will last much longer than static stretching.
Stretch for longevity
Assisted stretching is a powerful tool for maintaining optimal health and well-being as you age. By proactively addressing flexibility and mobility, you can significantly reduce your risk of injuries, maintain your independence, and enjoy a more active and vibrant life.
There is an abundance of health advice out there and it can be overwhelming but if you go back to Outlive and the pillars of longevity, it’s clear that prioritising your flexibility and mobility is the most important change you can make to protect your health span. Don’t wait to solve a problem, take action now to prevent the problem from happening. Make the change. Try assisted stretching for yourself and experience the power of PNF.
Life’s short - stretch it out.
To try PNF led assisted stretching for yourself, visit our website www.stretchlife.com
