For a long time now we believed that we knew how to stretch muscles; however, how do you stretch a muscle when it is sheathed in a leather casing? Muscles are three dimensional in shape with multiple sites of attachment and fascia is the thin ‘skin’ weaving into and surrounding structures like the muscle tissue, ‘linking’ various structures together in a chain that includes the joint or joint capsule.

Stretching a muscle is only effective once the “skin” that covers it is no longer dry and retracted. Myofascial stretches respect the anatomy of the muscles, their aponeuroses as well as their function. At this point, the analytical study of the fascial chains allows for an incredibly effective stretch position.

All the connective tissue in the body is made of water and this water is arranged in microscopic tubules. Perhaps even more amazing is that the fascia is continuous upon itself: it is one single entity. In order to stretch a specific muscle it is better to consider it as a link in a specific chain extending from the toes to the back of the knee, inserting into one or more of the ligaments of the pelvis. This is the ‘real anatomy’ of the body and respects the global organization of its tissues. A stretching posture will be chosen to solicit the tension of the whole fascial chain in order to correct the specific muscle link.

With myofascial stretching (MFS), the goal is not to gain flexibility of a muscle, but to improve the quality of the movement of the tissues in relation to one another. MFS is the only type of stretching that respects this organization.

This seminar will systematically review the proper method of stretching for all major muscles of the trunk, the upper and lower limb giving close to 100 different stretching exercises.

Seminar Outline – Specific myofascial stretches for the noted muscles:

Myofascial Stretches of the lower extremities: iliopsoas, biceps femoris, semimembranous, semitendinous, superficial gluteus maximus, deep gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, obturator internus, piriformis, quadratus femoris, rectus femoris, vastus internus, vasatus externus, graacilis, pectineus, tensor fascia lata, superior fascicle of adductor brevis, inferior fascicle adductor brevis, adductor longus, superior fascicle of adductor magnus, middle fascicle of adductor magnus, inferior fascicle of adductor magnus, medial gastrocnemius lateral gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum, extensor hallucis.

Myofascial Stretches of the upper extremities: long head of biceps brachii, short head of biceps brachii, posterior deltoid, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, subscapularis, teres major, coracobrachialis, long head of triceps, medial head of triceps, lateral head of triceps, teres minor, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, pectoralis minor, deep pectoralis major, superficial pectoralis major, short supinator of the forearm, long supinator of the forearm, pronator quadratus, pronator teres, flexor digitorum communis, palmaris longus, anterior cubital, extensor digitorum communis, posterior cubital, first radial.

Myofascial Stretches of the trunk: middle intercostals, posterior intercostals, anterior intercostals, the crus of the diaphragm, the domes of the diaphragm, the intermediate part of the diaphragm, rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, latissimus dorsi, superior trapezius, middle trapezius, inferior trapezius, rhomboid major, rhomboid minor, levator scapula, quadratus lumborum, transverse spinous, longus, iliocostales.

Pre-Course Study Questions

  1. What is a muscle?
  2. Briefly describe what fascia is and discuss its role or significance in relationship with the muscles.
  3. Give three different examples of fascia.
  4. Explain the difference between a strain, sprain, and a tear.
  5. What is a tendon?
  6. What is an aponeurosis?
  7. What is a joint?
  8. Briefly discuss the different types of joints in the body and give examples of each.
  9. What is a joint capsule?
  10. Define mono-articular muscle and give an example.
  11. Define poly-articular muscle and give an example.
  12. Describe the anatomy, function(s) and relationships of the Ilio-Psoas muscle.