ACTIVE ISOLATED STRETCHING (AIS)

AIS (the amazing strength and flexibility program created by the internationally acclaimed Aaron Mattes) is a form of stretch therapy that can be used by a therapist or client to relieve pain. AIS is the only stretching program that works with the body’s natural stretch reflex. The stretch reflex is mediated by proprioceptors called muscle spindles that are located parallel to muscle fibers. These muscle spindles (also known as stretch receptors) record the movements of the associated muscle.

After 2 seconds of holding a muscle in a lengthened position the muscle spindles send a signal to the Central Nervous System (CNS) that causes the muscle to resist the change by contracting. The magnitude of the contraction is determined by how sudden or violent the change in muscle tension, thus the reason stretching should be done slowly and gently. This reflexive action is helpful in controlling coordinated movements but is not helpful when attempting to stretch. In order to avoid injury and in order to build or maintain flexibility a muscle should not be expected to contract and stretch at the same time.

With AIS the stretch is held for 2 seconds only and repeated in sets of 5 to 10 repetitions. The client moves deeper with each repetition opening tissue and fascia, but does not hold a deep stretch for long periods which can cause micro tears in the muscle fibers. The client is required to activate the agonist muscle group in order to move into position to stretch the opposing (antagonist) muscle group. The client is belted down to the table or stabilized by the therapist in order to prevent compensation by muscle groups not targeted by the stretch. In this manner the client actively works using reciprocal innervation to stretch and the therapist isolates and assists.

Using AIS, deep tissue can be relaxed and opened to relieve pain and pressure caused by tensed muscle tissue. An example of this is opening the piriformis muscle, which passes under the sciatic nerve, to help relieve sciatica. In addition, nerve related problems can be treated because the client re-establishes a connection between the CNS and the agonist muscle. This re-education of the muscle and neural pathways is facilitated by the therapist tapping the active muscle to remind the client where to send the signal. Clients with neuropathic disability (stroke, diabetic neuropathy, Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, etc.) may find this especially helpful.

There are also additional benefits from stretching. During exercise muscle fibers get twisted and disorganized and stretching helps realign the fibers and allows scar tissue to heal faster. Following exercise or injury special cells called fibroblasts spin collagen into muscle fibers. This can be felt as lumps in muscle tissue. Stretching is the deepest form of movement of muscle fibers and helps to break up the collagen and move it into the bloodstream. This leads to increased circulation in the injured tissue which speeds the healing process.

From this perspective AIS can be seen as a pumping of muscle tissue via gentle stretch that builds both strength and flexibility. With each movement the tissue is slowly pushed beyond the stagnate range leading to lengthened tissue that has improved blood flow. This is accomplished without holding a deep stretch for a long period of time so the muscle tissue is not irritated. AIS can be used for stretching of deep muscle fibers that are hard to reach during massage which makes treatment easier for both client and therapist.