Facilitated Stretching (Paperback)

by Robert E. McAtee (Author), Jeff Charland (Author)
Key Phrases: stretcher relaxes, stretcher contracts, direct the stretcher, Gluteus Maximus Page, Hamstrings Page, Trunk Rotators Page (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Audiences: Textbook for massage therapy, athletic training, and other related courses; reference for sports medicine and fitness professionals, therapists, coaches, and athletes.

The third edition of Facilitated Stretching is now revised, reorganized, and packaged with a DVD--surpassing its popular predecessor as the best source for the latest PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching techniques.

Facilitated Stretching, Third Edition, provides a useful overview of PNF stretching--a safe and easy-to-use method that involves stretching the muscle, contracting it isometrically against resistance, then stretching it again to a new range of motion. These steps apply whether you are isolating one muscle at a time or using the spiral-diagonal patterns of PNF to stretch groups of muscles simultaneously. The third edition contains all the great features of the previous edition, plus the following:

• A companion DVD that demonstrates live stretching techniques from the book for a clearer understanding
• New stretching routines for a variety of popular activities including running, golf, swimming, cycling, and throwing and racket sports
• General stretches and stretches for older participants
• Stretching activities with added strength work using stability balls and elastic bands
• Stretching and strengthening tips for dealing with--and even preventing--common soft-tissue injuries
  The new edition has also been reorganized using a regional approach to presenting muscle group functions around specific joints. You will learn how to stretch each major muscle in the body, both individually and in groups. In addition, you will discover how to appropriately use group pattern stretches to improve flexibility and coordination and individual muscle stretches to relax tight muscles and break up adhesions within or between muscles. Instruction is provided for using the techniques on your own or with a partner.
  
  More than 350 photographs showing the progression of stretches enrich the book while the new 60-minute DVD demonstrates the stretches and strengthening exercises in even more detail. Icons are featured throughout the text, indicating which exercises are demonstrated on the DVD. A unique binding also allows you to lay the book flat while performing the exercises without losing your place. The DVD serves as a great visual tool for improving your technique and getting the most out of your routines.
  
  An ideal reference for fitness professionals, Facilitated Stretching, Third Edition, provides techniques to help athletes, patients, and clients improve flexibility, strength, and coordination while also treating and preventing injuries. Students in massage therapy, athletic training, and other professional training programs will discover how to use facilitated stretching in conjunction with massage and other manual therapy techniques.
  
  With Facilitated Stretching, Third Edition, you have a cutting-edge tool packed with the latest PNF stretching techniques to help you assess current muscle function, improve range of motion, increase strength, reduce overuse injuries, and enhance performance.
  
  
  From the Publisher
  "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 (review of previous edition)
  
  "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 (review of previous edition)
  
  "Clear, step-by-step descriptions, detailed illustrations, and ease of use make Facilitated Stretching an essential resource for any massage therapist."
  
  Pat Archer, MS, ATC, LMP
  Cortiva Institute-Brenneke School
  Senior Faculty and Director of Therapeutic Massage In Athletics Certification Course
  Author of Therapeutic Massage In Athletics (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2006)
  
  "Facilitated Stretching will benefit anyone interested in functional training. The coverage of spiral-diagonal PNF stretches alone makes this book and DVD a must-have."
  
  Craig Liebenson, DC
  L.A. Sports and Spine
  International Association for the Study of Pain
  American Pain Society
  
  "Bob McAtee has done an outstanding job with his revision of Facilitated Stretching. The crystal-clear text and sparkling, detailed photographs are a winning combination, and the new DVD brings the stretches to life! This book is a valuable addition to the library of every serious fitness professional."
  
  Guy Andrews, MA, CSCS *D
  Executive Director
  Exercise ETC Inc.
  
  
  See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 3 Pap/DVD edition (February 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736062483
• ISBN-13: 978-0736062480
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,033 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #18 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Stretching
  #57 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Alternative Medicine > Massage
  #100 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Injuries & Rehabilitation

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

This review is from: Facilitated Stretching (Paperback)

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

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)

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.