Eliminate Painful Foot Conditions with Active Isolated Stretching
by Marty Leamon, Advanced Active Isolated Stretching
What Is Active Isolated Stretching?
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is one of the methods of stretching most used by today's athletes, massage therapists, personal/athletic trainers, and professionals. Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity. The Active Isolated Stretching technique involves the method of holding each stretch for only two seconds. This method of stretching is also known to work with the body's natural physiological makeup to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle joints and fascia.
The creator of AIS is Aaron L. Mattes. Aaron Mattes has developed this method of proper athletic stretching over the past 35 years, working with thousands of patients, doctors, and health professionals.
What is the theory behind Active Isolated Stretching ?
Active Isolated Stretching makes muscles work to their proper length. Put another way, any muscle that does not work to it’s proper length is not functioning properly. This can come from injury, overuse, disease, or from a sedentary lifestyle. The result is pain, lack of mobility, shortened range of motion, or other stresses on the body. Tight muscles can cause your spine to be misaligned, your knees to ache, and your toes to be hammered, just to name a few things.
How does AIS actually work?
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) stretches the muscles in a specific, very precise order --- The AIS therapist:
1 .Identifies the proper muscles and supportive tissues.
2 .Isolates the muscle in its most relaxed state. There are more than 170 specific stretches.
3. Uses a gentle stretch with less than 1 lb. of pressure and controlled return back to the starting position.
4. Holds a gentle stretch only 1 ½ to 2 seconds.
5. Continues with up to 10 repetitions, with each subsequent stretch gaining a few degrees of motion.
6. Returns the muscle to the starting point between each stretch. This enhances the blood flow and oxygenation and facilitates the flushing of waste (lactic acid).
How is the AIS system different from “normal” stretching?
Static stretching holds the stretch much longer, usually 30 to 60 seconds. After 2 seconds the stretch reflex tries to contract the muscle. This explains why conventional stretching often hurts and why we are told not to stretch before exercising. Static stretching actually inhibits blood flow. AIS stretches, on the other hand, start gently and gradually increase, warming the muscle and increasing blood flow. As a result, AIS stretches work well to prepare the body for exercise. In AIS therapy the muscle is always put in a relaxed state before the stretch begins. This allows the most effective stretch and prevents strain on the muscle.
What conditions can be treated with AIS?
AIS treats the full body. Starting with the feet and moving up the body, AIS treats bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Osgood-Schlatters, knee pain, back pain, bulged discs, frozen shoulder, impingement of the shoulder, carpel-tunnel, headache, TMJ problems. Any sprain, strain, spasm, or lack of range(tightness). Advanced AIS Therapists work successfully with Parkinson’s, MS, post stroke, and post joint replacement patients, calming and strengthening the body with amazing results. AIS Therapy works with almost anything to do with muscles and movement.
Can AIS Therapy actually eliminate the need for surgery on painful foot conditions?
AIS works especially well for bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis. These are actually muscle related conditions. Bunions are caused by weakness in the arch of the foot. When these muscles are weak, the big toe can angle toward the other toes, and the joint under the big toe can move toward the inner edge of the foot creating a friction situation. As the joint becomes more irritated, calcium builds up causing a painful bump. The farther the bones in the foot and toes move out of alignment, the weaker they become. Bunions may be hereditary and the arch can be weakened by wearing high-heeled shoes and prolonged stationary standing. Hammertoes start with tight calves. The muscles in the calf exert pressure on the foot and toes when tight and scrunch them up. Over time adhesions form and the toes no longer are able to straighten. Ill fitting and worn out shoes along with prolonged standing can also contribute.
Plantar fasciitis is a thickening of the fascia in the foot. As the fascia thickens it becomes less pliable and can be very painful. All of the AIS treatments for the foot begin with stretching the calves and ankles. Then the individual toes are stretched in all directions. This keeps the muscles from preventing the bones in the foot and toes from being in alignment. Then simple strength exercises are given to do at home. When the muscles in the foot are stretched the fascia is also stretched, relieving the pain of Plantar fasciitis.
How many AIS Therapy sessions are required to improve painful conditions?
The number of sessions required for a condition depends on the severity or the problem. A 30 year old probably has not had the condition for as long as an 80 year old client. But one session is always enough to see a noticeable difference. Typically a foot treatment lasts about 30 minutes
Is AIS Therapy for every age?
AIS Therapy is for every age, even clients into their 90’s. Because the stretching is gently and effective, often with home exercises given to supplement therapy visits, the therapy is effective and generally eliminates the need for surgery. Clients generally see immediate improvement and are more likely to stay with the prescribed stretches therefore eliminating the need for further medical intervention and/or surgery.
Marty Leamon is an Advanced AIS Therapist with an office at Greensquare Center for the Healing Arts, a group of more than 14 therapies located at 6789 N. Green Bay Avenue, Glendale, WI 53209, www.GreensquareCenter.com. Marty can be reached by contacting Greensquare Center at 414-292-3900 or at his personal office number 262-339-7432. Clients are welcome to call for a personal consultation or analysis of condition.
