What is it?
A 60-minute session of assisted stretching using an approach developed by American kinesiotherapist Aaron Mattes.
What was it like?
The session begins with a consultation to assess your posture and determine which parts of your body are tilted or in need of straightening to achieve symmetry. The stretch therapist then uses the information to work on the areas of your body that are tight or poorly aligned due to bad postural habits and/or wear and tear. This involves taking you through a number of stretches on the treatment table. Clients perform the stretch as instructed while close attention from the stretch therapist ensures you do it correctly. The pressure applied by the therapist allows you to stretch further than you would be able to do under your own steam.
What was good about it?
The stretches made it apparent which areas of the body were stiff. I was surprised how much more difficult it was, for example, to do a stretch that used my left hip over my right. I could also feel muscles I don't normally stretch being lengthened, and the methodical, holistic approach of this treatment seemed to loosen joints even before they were worked on specifically.
Therapist Chris Watts clearly outlined the purpose and benefits of each stretch as he worked, and suggested similar exercises that could be done at home. The areas Watts stretched during the session felt more flexible afterwards, and my posture was straighter.
