Stretching therapy for sport and manual therapies

This book is an excellent resource for clinicians using manual techniques, providing a great addition to their clinical skills. Muscle stretching is often taken for granted in therapy, and this book helps clinicians better appreciate the value of therapeutic muscle stretching.

The first part of the book provides a quite detailed review of the scientific basis of stretching to help guide clinical decision making. It provides an excellent review of neurophysiology of stretching and different stretching techniques. This section includes one of the most comprehensive reviews of the research on stretching, including specific reviews on clinical conditions such as chronic neck and back pain. Since stretching can also cause as much harm as good, all-important safety considerations are provided.

Part two provides specific stretching techniques for over 162 individual muscles. Each specific muscle is presented with clear photographs of the technique, as well as detailed instructions and safety warnings. I was surprised at the sheer number of stretches, including muscles I didn’t know could be stretched such as deep neck muscles. These stretching techniques are easily integrated into other manual therapy treatments such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and manipulation. The book does not review assessment of muscle length, so the reader is encouraged to rely on other sources for muscle length testing to determine if muscle stretching is indicated.

Stretching Therapy is a useful text for any hands-on musculoskeletal practitioner, particularly physiotherapists, massages therapists, and chiropractors. Both novice and experienced practitioners will benefit from the text. Dr. Ylinen has done a fantastic job in creating a practical manual with a technique that compliments other manual techniques. Review by Phil Page, PT, ATC, MS, CSCS, Baton Rouge, USA