Stretching secrets, part 2

If you’re just catching this, go back to days and read the first part of this series and this will make much more sense

How can we use this newfound knowledge?

–How about to inhibit a hypertonic muscle?
-Lets take a common example: You have hypertonic hip flexors. You are reciprocally inhibiting your glute max. You stretch the hypertonic hip flexors, they become more hypertonic (but it feels so good, doesn’t it?) and subsequently inhibit the glute max more. Hmm. Not the clinical result you were hoping for?

–How about this: you apply slow stretch to the glutes (ie “reverse stretch”) and apply pressure to the perimeter, both of which activate the spindle and make the glutes contract more. This causes the reciprocal inhibition of the hip flexors. Cool, eh? Now lightly contract the glutes while you are applying a slow stretch to them; even MORE slow stretch; even MORE activation. Double cool, eh?

-Don’t believe us, try this on yourself, your clients, patients, willing family members and pets.

#reciprocal inhibition #stretching #activestretching #reciprocalinhibition #reflex #lengtheningmuscles