Contract to Relax

We often teach our patients how to use strength training (i.e., proper exercise) to relax and loosen their muscles. When performed correctly, strength training is an excellent tool for increasing muscle extensibility. We refer to this as one of the “neurological” stimuli of training, making additional stretching potentially unnecessary and redundant.

Research suggests that static stretching is less beneficial than once thought; it doesn’t prevent injury or enhance performance and may even harm neural tissue and ligaments over time. Therefore, we caution clients against using static stretching as a core health practice and instead advocate for a more tailored approach, as it may not suit everyone—particularly those with hyper-mobility or neural sensitivities.

However, our caution around static stretching should not be mistaken for a stance against mobility work or general movement. We fully support mobility exercises and moving slowly and deliberately through your entire active range of motion.

Contrary to popular belief, proper strength training is the best form of flexibility training. A well-designed and executed program can balance muscle tone around joints, fostering a healthy tension relationship. This can prevent the wear and tear that may occur from abnormal muscle tone. Sometimes, certain activities or sustained repetitive positions can lead to muscle tightness or laxity. We can use strength training to recalibrate the system and address any unnecessary tension or lack thereof, employing a specific strategy in your strength training that utilizes several physiological processes:

✨Autogenic Inhibition: A muscle relaxes itself when subjected to high tension
✨Reciprocal Inhibition: A muscle reflexively relaxes when its opposing muscle contracts

If your goal is to feel looser and less tight, we’ll guide you in training your muscles through a full, safe range of motion, focusing on both fully contracted and fully lengthening.

* Please remember this information is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The user is at their own risk. These posts do not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The user should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical or physiotherapy services from their health care professionals.