Facilitated Stretching (Paperback)

by Robert E. McAtee (Author), Jeff Charland (Author) "Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is a treatment technique developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s by Herman Kabat, MD, PhD, and two physical therapists,..." (more)
Key Phrases: stretcher relaxes, stretcher contracts, direct the stretcher (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
When Facilitated Stretching was published in 1993, it was the first book to translate the complexities of PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching into an easy, step-by-step method for athletes, coaches, and sports medicine professionals. Now fully updated and expanded, Facilitated Stretching is an even better resource that makes PNF stretching accessible to everyone. The book shows you how to perform 66 facilitated stretches covering all the major muscles and muscle groups.

PNF stretching consists of three simple steps: stretch the muscle, contract it isometrically against resistance, then stretch it again. Simple, yet highly effective. These steps apply whether you’re isolating one muscle at a time or using the spiral diagonal patterns of PNF to stretch groups of muscles simultaneously.

This new edition features the latest PNF stretching techniques to help improve range of motion, reduce overuse injuries that result from muscle fatigue, and enable easy assessment of current muscle function. The book has been expanded to include a broader scope of stretches featuring 14 additional muscle groups and an expanded number of self-stretches. You’ll also find a new section on using facilitated stretching along with soft tissue therapy for reducing pain and restoring range of motion lost due to injury.

Facilitated Stretching is a cutting-edge tool that uses the science behind PNF stretching to develop an easy-to-use method to improve flexibility and range of motion.

From the Publisher
"Facilitated Stretching is based on a very sound understanding of flexibility training. It teaches you how to safely use the principles of stretching on your own or with a partner, in your clinical practice, or on the training field to improve the quality of your health and physical performance.

Facilitated Stretching stresses the importance of flexibility training for everyone, not just athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Highlighted are precise, practical, safe and specific directions to stretch the major muscles of the body. The emphasis on self-stretching makes the CRAC techniques easy to incorporate into any busy lifestyle. I use these techniques in my clinical practice as well as to teach all my clients the importance of flexibility in their lives.

Facilitated Stretching is easy to read and filled with helpful photographs and diagrams. It is a valuable resource for the sports therapist, athletic trainer, sports physician, coach, competitive athlete, new fitness enthusiast—anyone leading an active lifestyle."

John Balletto, LMT, NCTMB Massage Therapist and Educator Center for Muscular Therapy, Providence, RI

"Facilitated Stretching serves the elite athlete and the weekend warrior well. Bob McAtee has worked on my aches and pains a dozen or so times over the years. He’s one of the finest!"

Harvey S. Newton, CSCS Executive Director National Strength and Conditioning Association

"Facilitated Stretching is an excellent contribution to the art and science of manual therapy. Bob McAtee provides a technically sound, easy-to-follow approach to therapeutic muscle stretching. I highly recommend it."

Robert K. King Founder and President of Chicago School of Massage Therapy Author of Performance Massage

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 2 Sub edition (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736000666
• ISBN-13: 978-0736000666
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #516,629 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have!, April 23, 2003

By	Rosenholtz, C. (Ft. Collins, CO USA) - See all my reviews

As a massage therapist I often work with muscle injuries. This book is a must have for both therapeutic technique and for client education. I highly reccommend it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful little book..., April 7, 2007

By	Norfolk Trainer "Nick" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Facilitated Stretching (Paperback)

As a Personal Trainer, I was looking for a book that was practical with stretches that I could teach my clients that were beyond the normal static stretches. After some weeks with a flexibility program designed with stretches from this book, there is a noticible difference in positive range of motion. It is well written and easy to follow. For my purposes, I found it to be an excellent book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exerciser's Gold Mine, August 14, 2007

By	M. Sauro "Self-improvement junkie" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Facilitated Stretching (Paperback)

As a runner and horseback rider, I have always subscribed to the theory that stretching is critical for performance. However, finding an effective stretching system has been a long and arduous search. Some books are difficult for the lay person to understand. Some books do not have a fundamental theory underpinning their exercises. And some books promote stretches that are actually harmful. I have found Facilitated Stretching to be the best of the bunch. The illustrations are clear, well-organized and large enough to follow. The text is written clearly and concisely: I can figure out what to do the first time I read it. The cd is excellent: slow, well-narrated and easy to follow. Best of all, the results are immediate. My partially frozen shoulders are starting to move in response to a combination of massage therapy and facilitated stretching (as advocated in the book). My hamstrings have finally let go so now I know what it feels like to walk as normal people do! In short, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It has met all my stringent requirements. This new edition is even better than the second edition which I studied before buying this book.