Stretch Therapy

Stretching is a way of lengthening and elongating muscles in order to either gain or maintain flexibility, range of motion, improve blood flow, and elasticity. It is done by motioning joints and muscles through their full range of motion and then staying put in that position for a duration of time. There are different ways to approach stretching to achieve different goals.

One great way is for people to remain in a pose for 30 to 60 seconds. Afterwards they repeat the pose, attempting to attain a deeper range of motion.

After treatment your practitioner will likely perform assisted stretching to help you get the most out of your treatment. The practitioner will remove the needles and finish all necessary bodywork and then run through a series of assisted stretches and Muscle Specific Release (MSR) techniques that will optimize your treatment.

Acupuncture and bodywork unblock and unknot the muscles. Then, the addition of assisted stretching fully opens the blood flow into and through the muscles and joints so the body works more optimally and heals faster. This is a part of our secret sauce and why we get such fast and lasting treatment results.

After acupuncture, your practitioner may perform assisted stretching in order to get the most from your session. If you have issues with pain and/or range of motion in the hips, your practitioner may recommend specific hip stretches for you to perform at home. The same is true if you’re attending acupuncture to address pain in your neck, lower back, or anywhere else. Your practitioner might also perform some of these stretches on you during a session. After your treatment, your practitioner will often demonstrate certain stretching exercises for you to perform at home in between treatments.

Why stretch? Stretching is not only fun to do, it’s great for you. The Ancient Romans thought so too. Soldiers during this period would stretch in order to maintain flexibility for battle. Stretching became more important to the public over time and by the 18th century documented instances of people stretching before exerting themselves occurred.

Let’s talk a little bit more about what Stretching is and how it can help you.

When is Stretching Used?

Knowing when to Stretch is as important as knowing how to stretch. Stretching before or after an acupuncture session or massage is a great way to open the body for full range of motion. Here are some times when Stretching should be used:

Before an acupuncture session
Before exercise
Before participating in a sport
After an acupuncture session
After exercise
After participating in a sport
In order to get relaxed
At the start of your day
At the end of your day
When your tired in front of your computer desk at work

What are the benefits of Stretching?

Stretching can help with a variety of conditions and sources of pain. Some of the biggest benefits of stretching are increased flexibility, improved blood flow, improved sports performance, and better range of motion. Stretching can be used to relieve pain, increase relaxation, and even energize the body. It just depends on what you’re stretching and how you’re stretching it. Here are a few common stretch categories that get good results:

Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Hip pain
Sciatica
Pinched nerve
Back pain
Leg pain
Knee pain
Patellar tendonitis

What body parts can be targeted with Stretching?

Stretching is great because it can apply to any area of the body where range of motion and flexibility exists. Stretching releases tension and pain. It creates a more relaxing environment for you. Stretching is a great exercise, whether you use it with acupuncture or alone. Stretching can be done almost everywhere on the body. Let’s break it down:

Arms
Forearm
Upper arm
Fingers
Toes
Legs
Calfs
Hamstrings
Glutes
Neck
Back
Upper back
Shoulder area
Lower back
Hips
Face
Mouth
Abdominal area

Stretching: The Bottom Line

Stretching exercises can greatly help a person experiencing pain in certain areas. Stretching opens the body, increases circulation, increases range of motion, and increases flexibility. Stretching can be used after an acupuncture treatment or massage in order to maximize results. Your practitioner may stretch you on the table and they may also provide you with stretching exercises to do at home.

How can you find Stretching in Raleigh, North Carolina?

If you’re searching for a practitioner who provides acupuncture and stretching in Raleigh, North Carolina, you’ll want to find someone with experience, qualifications, and compassion. Look no further than Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. Our goal since 2010 has been to provide quality and compassionate acupuncture and other holistic services like Dry Needling, Guasha, Tuina Massage, Stretching, Cupping, and Orthopedic Movements in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas. Much like the balance that acupuncture and Stretching provide for your body, we provide our patients with balanced care: the highest quality healthcare, while at the same time focusing on compassionate services that treat you, the patient, with holistic, individualized treatment.

Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center for all of your Cupping needs

Hi, I’m Jim Eleczko, the founder of Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center and it’s my mission to provide you with compassionate, whole-person care using holistic treatments, including Acupuncture, Dry Needling, and Tunia Massage. I’m a board-certified and licensed Acupuncturist practicing since 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. I love that I get to wake up every day to make meaningful changes in my patient’s lives. I’ve seen first hand the changes that Acupuncture can make.

As a teen I suffered from allergies and my father suggested that I try Acupuncture to calm the symptoms. It worked – and left a lasting impression on me! Now I offer Acupuncture and other treatments to help people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, migraines, fibromyalgia, and more. Our other treatments include Dry Needling, Guasha, Cupping, Stretching, Orthopedic Movements, Electroacupuncture and Therapeutic Exercises.

Here’s a bit more about me and my qualifications: I studied the 4-year program at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine and continue to travel multiple times a year to study with my mentor, Andrew Nugent-Head. I also studied under Dr. Ed Garbacz, M.D. LAc and spent a year working and studying under Dr. Bonnie Walker, M.D. LAc. I have also done extensive post-graduate studies in acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine from lectures of acupuncturists like Dr. Nguyen Van Nghi, Dr. Tran Viet Dzung, Matt Callison, and Edward Obaidey.

Get in touch with me by calling (919) 260-4104. I’d be happy to answer your questions and get you booked for an appointment today!