ZZZZZY.) Facilitated Stretching & Alleviating Piriformis Syndrome: Both Days

Friday: Facilitated Stretching for Massage Therapists

Massage therapists often feel they don't have the training or expertise to correctly perform stretches and avoid incorporating them into their sessions. They may also avoid including stretches for their clients because they seem too strenuous.

Facilitated Stretching is a safe, simple, yet dramatically effective PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) style stretching technique that can be used with a wide variety of clients to regain or improve flexibility. This method is easy on the therapist, engages the client in the process, and easy to incorporate into a massage session.

Facilitated stretching, combined with soft tissue work, enables the practitioner to obtain greater overall success in client treatment sessions. Additionally, a program of self-stretching using these techniques can be invaluable for clients in their home stretching programs.

At the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Clearly understand the theoretical basis and principles underlying the development and use of Facilitated Stretching.
• Be able to perform effective facilitated stretches for the muscle groups covered in class.
• Be confident in using partner-stretching techniques with clients and self-stretching techniques to teach them to use at home.
• Understand safety factors in the use of facilitated stretches.
• Be able to use proper body mechanics when doing Facilitated Stretching.

Recommended Text: "Facilitated Stretching", 5th ed.,Robert E. McAtee, Human Kinetics Publishers. (not required for the class)

Saturday: Alleviating Piriformis Syndrome

This highly-interactive course prepares practitioners to employ an array of soft tissue techniques for one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints presented by clients -- piriformis syndrome.

We'll discuss the causes and prevention of piriformis syndrome, review and palpate the relevant anatomy, and demonstrate/ practice assessment tests, and hands-on work that includes transverse friction, pin and stretch techniques, and isolytic contractions.

At the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Discuss the causes and prevention of piriformis syndrome.
• Identify the relevant bony and soft-tissue structures.
• Demonstrate appropriate assessment techniques to determine the proper therapeutic intervention.
• Demonstrate transverse friction techniques, pin-and-stretch techniques, and isolytic contractions.
• Return to your practice confident and capable of integrating these techniques into your work.