Proper flexibility allows a patient to make an uncontrolled movement without straining their muscles. As a massage therapist, you can learn how to assess the flexibility and teach your clients how to become more flexible. In Dr. Koshes’ online CEU massage therapist course titled, “Muscles, Rehabilitation And Exercise, “ he reviews flexibility exercises. Topics in the online Massage Therapy class covered include; What is flexibility, What people should stretch, Why promote stretching, When to Stretch, The stretch reflex, A “Good” stretch, Breathing while stretching and Types of Flexibility/stretching exercises.

One area covered in detail is the Types of flexibility/stretching exercises. In this section static, neurological and ballistic stretches are reviewed. An example of one of the neurological stretches covered is contract relax. In contract relax, the physiological principle at work is that after a maximum muscle contraction, the maximum muscle relaxation of that muscle. To use this principle in stretching a tight muscle, the Licensed Massage Therapist would take any joint to the maximum range available. The patient is asked to perform an isometric contraction of the muscle limiting the movement desired for 5-10 seconds. The patient is asked to relax as the therapist moves the patient’s joint further into its restricted range. A clinical example would be tightness of the hamstring muscles. The therapist lifts their client’s leg off the table in flexion keeping the knee straight. The client is then asked to push downwards using the hamstring muscles, holding the contraction for 5-10 seconds. As the client relaxes, then the therapist advances the leg further into flexion.

For more information on how to assess your client’s flexibility, contact Dr. Koshes on his website, www.koshes.com On the Web site you will also find additional information on Dr. Koshes’ other online CEU massage therapy classes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Massage Therapists - Have You Always Wanted To Know About Modalities And How To Use Them

Massage Therapists - What Are The Appropriate Guidelines For Fluid Replacement During Exercise

Massage Therapists - How do You Determine Your Clients Muscular Strength

Massage Therapists - Improve Your Effectiveness Of Your Neurological And Orthopedic Assessment Of Your Patients

Massage Therapists - Understand How To Refer Properly To Other Medical Specialists

Massage Therapist - What Modalities Will I Learn In Dr. Koshes’ Seminar, “Modality Certification For The Massage Therapist”

Massage Therapists - Have You Ever Wondered How To
Assess Your Clients Flexibility

Massage Therapists - How Do You Progress Your Clients
Through Different Phases Of Rehabilitation Care

Learn About Common Musculoskeletal Conditions And
Their Protocols For Treatment

Massage Therapists - Recognize The Importance Of
Keeping Good Patient Records

Questions and Answers for Massage Therapists

Massage Therapist - How Do You Instruct Your Clients In Some
Of The Most Common Prescribed Exercise Protocols

Arthritis Types - Symptoms & Treatments

Bony Spurs

Disk Injuries

Ligamentous Strains

Live Seminars

Muscular Strains

Osteoporosis Definition, Symptoms and Treatment

Spinal Tumors Location, Symptoms, Treatment

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reference List for Seminars:

Massage Therapist Modality Seminar References

Massage Therapist Clinical Neurology Seminar References

Massage Therapist Muscles & Exercise Seminar References