What is Active Isolated Stretching?

Active Isolated Stretching (AIS): The Mattes Method is a scientific stretching method developed by Aaron L. Mattes. It is a manual technique that combines a series of short, controlled parts with relaxation intervals that override the tendency of your muscles to contract as tightly tensed. If you suffer from neck, back, shoulder, hip or knee pain or stiffness, actively isolated stretching is a safe solution that quickly provides tremendous relief. When the body begins to move and works well, pain symptoms often go away. In addition to learning to stretch for a life of physical health, active isolated stretching benefits you from increased blood circulation, reduced risk of injury, improved posture, increased muscle strength, faster healing times, relaxed muscles and greater muscle potential. active stretching is used by thousands of professional and amateur athletes to improve flexibility and performance while reducing the risk of injury.

How does it work?
The opposite muscles are stretch contracts (to stretch the hamstrings the quads have to contract). Once the muscle is in its full range, a soft piece is held for no longer than 2 seconds, released and returned to the starting position. This ensures a continuous supply of blood, oxygen, lymph and nutrition, while stimulating waste removal and strengthening the neural process. This process is repeated up to 10 times on the same isolated muscle, with every subsequent stretch a few degrees of movement is obtained. There is also a fixed sequence, to open the hamstrings, the calf muscles have to be opened first… and so on … You will exhale (stretch) during exertion and inhale during the recovery phase. Oxygen is an important fuel for muscle action.

Expanding the Potential of the Professional
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 allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity. The Activated 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, also a manual lymph drainage can be applied.