Total Body Stretch is a new assisted stretching service at Massage Envy – I did an 60 minute session of head to toe assisted stretches this week. I’ve never done anything like this before and it was awesome to have to check in during each move and think about how far I was pushing my muscles in that area.

Stretching is super important for injury prevention and recovery. I talk about this all the time because it’s something I’m really trying to work on! Check out the post for more info on the stretching scale and more. #RunEatRepeat #ad

Hello! I’m super bendy and excited to share some tips on stretching with you today. I’m working with Massage Envy to learn about their new and tried and true services to share information with you. Massage Envy has … massages (Hey Captain Obvious!) but they also have several types of facials and assisted stretching. Over the next 3 months I’m going to try a service in each of those categories and share my thoughts and tips on how to optimize each area for runners.

 

 

This week I tried the Total Body Stretch service. I didn’t even know Massage Envy offered this! If you’ve followed Run Eat Repeat for more than 3 minutes you know I talk about stretching all the time. I know stretching is very important – especially for runners! I interviewed a Sports Medicine Doctor about injury prevention in runners and she told me we should be stretching after EVERY run. I told her I try to stretch after 2 runs a week and she was not budging on her suggestion.

In related news… that RUNNER BINGO game I posted on Instagram only had 1 person get ALL the spaces filled. But several people got all except 1 square… the 1 square was “Stretched After Every Run”. Busted!!

 

 

 

So, I’m sharing my experience with assisted stretching at Massage Envy and some tips on How to Measure if You’re Stretching Enough.

Bonus: I ran the OC Half Marathon last weekend and Massage Envy was there in full force. They turned the post-race party into a massage party and gave free massages to the runners!! Isn’t that the best??!!

 

 

 

Total Body Stretch at Massage Envy

Massage Envy has an assisted stretching service called Total Body Stretch featuring the proprietary Streto Method. It was created by a chiropractor, massage therapist and an ergonomist to stretch your whole body with assistance.

I had never done assisted stretching before. It’s something that makes me think of professional athletes! I’ve seen a lot of runner documentaries and I just picture elite runners doing this with a stretch coach after a workout. It’s fancy!! So, I was super excited to try it myself.

The Total Body Stretch Session: You stay full clothed and the stretch provider explains how the session works. They do top to bottom stretches starting with your neck and targeting major muscle groups down your body. You hold each stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds, breathing through it and focusing on relaxing the target area.

The stretch provider will help you hold each stretch, making sure you are targeting the right area and support you in proper form. They keep track of the time and encourage you to breathe through it.

The best part is that you have to stay really aware of your body and what it’s telling you as you have the session. It’s very important to be self aware and know your strengths and weaknesses. Then, focus on those areas to help improve performance and avoid injuries.

 

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My favorite take-away from the session was the Stretch Scale. It makes so much sense – but this isn’t something we use when we’re stretching alone!!

Once you’re in the right position the Stretch provider will help you get a complete, challenging stretch of your muscles – but to avoid injury they ask where you are on a scale of 1 to 10. Ideally you should hold each stretch when you’re around a ‘6’ on the scale. If you are not challenging your body – you won’t get the full benefits of the session. But if you are pushing too hard you can get injured. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust as needed.

I really enjoyed it and it made me feel so fancy. This is something elite athletes do!!

And Massage Envy offers 30 and 60 minute Total Body Stretch sessions! (Massage Envy offers a monthly membership where you get one 60 minute massage, facial or stretch service. Since the Total Body Stretch is available in 30 minute sessions you can do 2 of those instead.) That’s perfect for someone who needs a lot of stretching support while training for a race.

I did the session a few days after the half marathon. I think it was perfect timing for me to check in with my body and make sure I was recovered from the race so I could move forward with training for my my next race.

They also gave me a list of stretches I could do at home.

 

 

 

I realized that we often stretch solo and don’t check in with each move to make sure we’re pushing it enough but not too much. The 1 to 10 scale reminded me!!

Anytime you stretch – aim to stretch yourself to a 5 or 6 on the effort level scale. You should feel a good stretch and be able to breathe through any tightness without pain. If it’s too challenging you’ll tense up and not be able to relax into the stretch or you get hurt yourself!

Check out this How to Stretch Scale for a guide on how much to push each stretch.

 

 

 

You can get more information on Massage Envy here.

 

Question: Did you stretch today?

This post is written in partnership with Massage Envy, however all opinions are my own.