Human movement is more enjoyable when the body is flexible and capable of performing without restriction. Active people understand the importance of good health and seek methods to improve their abilities by including stretching techniques into their daily schedules.

Specific movement also helps relieve symptoms of stress. Stress touches all of our lives. Gentle stretching movements can invigorate the circulatory, respiratory, and neuromuscular systems, which help alleviate many of the symptoms of stress.

Flexibility is not a general factor but is specific to each joint. Work or exercise that produce repeated overuse of the same muscles day after day confines joints within a restricted range of motion and tends to reduce flexibility. Every activity requires unique flexibility characteristics. Flexibility developed in one kind of exercise may not be adequate for utilization in another activity.

The Mattes Method is a manual technique that isolates muscles that are to be stretched by contracting the opposing muscles.
The process begins with identification of the specific muscles and tissues to be stretched. The opposite side antagonist muscles contract to move the muscle to be stretched. The golgi tendon and myotatic stretch reflexes act as safety mechanisms to protect the tissue acted upon. "No pain, no gain"
is a dangerous philosophy. Any program which places the joints, muscles, fascia and other connective tissues in jeopardy with prolonged force, multiple
joint stretching exercises or improper specificity protocols will endanger the tissue acted upon.


Athletic Performance

Flexibility and proper stretching have played a very important role for enhancing performance, rehabilitation and wellness. Athletic performance and science have converged and established flexibility as the prime determinant among top athletes. The efficiency, precision, and freedom with which the athlete is able to move will help regulate athletic performance. Efficiency is dependent upon training and conditioning. Facilitated stretching allows for more intense training. Restriction from pain, spasms, and tension inhibit freedom of movement. Without freedom of movement, precision is adversley affected.

Some beneficial effects of the Mattes Method are:

- Improves oxygenation and nutrition of myofascial structures promoting growth and repair
- Stimulates the circulation and drainage of lymph, which helps eliminate metabolic waste
- Improves flexibility and health of muscles, tendons and ligaments
- Breaks down adhesions and realigns collagen fibers
- Reduces muscle spasm, the risk of muscle strain and tear
- Athletes reach peak performance sooner and sustain it longer
- Muscles respond more quickly and powerfully
- Performance is improved with reduced chance of injury
- Muscle stiffness is reduced as excess lactic acid buildup is removed
- Athletes increase their career span and level of performance


Active Isolated Stretching (A.I.S.) is an important part of warm-up, warm-down, training or rehabilitation. Specificity is important to achieve maximum circulation, oxygenation, relaxation, lymphatic circulation, nutritional deliverance and tissue elongation.