Are services covered by insurance benefits?

Several of our therapists are covered by insurance benefits.

Call or email us to find out more!

 

What should I wear?

You stay fully clothed (loose fitting or stretchy clothing is best) and relaxed as your therapist performs the stretches tailored to your specific needs. There is no use of massage oils or creams. You will be able to change clothes in our (tiny) WC if you are coming from work. Please wear socks - did you know there are 250,000 sweat glands on your feet?

 

Why can't I just stretch myself?

Our assistance, knowledge and precision allow you to get a deeper stretch than you ever could on your own. Our stretch therapists will help you stretch at angles that you and your two arms of limited range of motion just can’t reach. It's like the difference between brushing your teeth and getting them professionally cleaned.

 

What training do your stretch therapists receive?

All of our stretch therapists have a kinesiology or exercise science degree, and at least one related certification (for example personal training, osteopathy, ergonomics). They receive intensive training in the FLXME system, and must pass a written and a hands-on examination.

 

Doesn't yoga provide the same benefits?

When you are in a yoga pose, the muscles that are supporting you are in contraction. So you can’t fully release the muscles being stretched. With assisted stretching, the rest of the body is completely relaxed (and often stabilized through the use of special straps). This allows our stretch therapist to isolate the targeted muscles and to position and manipulate them more precisely and more effectively.

 

What stretching protocols do you use?

The FLXME system draws from three stretching protocols to provide you with a customized session that addresses your particular mobility restrictions and needs:

  • Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST), which improves flexibility in the fascia (a densely woven system of connective tissue that covers all of the body’s compartments). Your stretch therapist will apply gentle traction to the joint being targeted, creating space for increased range of motion before stretching the limb.

  • Static Passive Stretch, which is a low force, high duration approach where your stretch therapist holds the targeted muscle group at its greatest length for at least thirty seconds.

  • Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), which involves stretching and then contracting the targeted muscle group, using stretches of about ten seconds.

 

Will stretching make me taller?

Assisted stretching is very likely to make you feel taller. And it can help you grow by as much as 1.5 inches by improving your posture. By expanding the cartilage between your bones and correcting muscle imbalances, you will stand straighter.

 

Are there some people who are not candidates for assisted stretching?

FLXME will not perform assisted stretching in the following situations:

  • Fractured bones. Your FLXME trainer will need to verify that the fracture site is fully healed before commencing assisted stretching techniques.

  • Acute muscle strain. An injured muscle needs time to rest before placing additional stress on the muscle.

  • Joint sprains. When a joint has been sprained, the ligaments have already been overstretched. Stretching early after a joint sprain should be avoided so that the joint can heal.

The stretching protocol will also be significantly different for women who are pregnant.

 

What length of treatment should I do?

Our 60 minute sessions concentrate on major muscle groups of the body, including for example back, shoulders, hips, glutes, and hamstrings, focusing on areas identified during the assessment as painful or inflexible. Our 90 minute sessions allow the Stretch Therapist more time to stretch the full body from head to toe, focusing on major muscle groups, minor muscle groups and areas identified as problematic or needing more attention. Longer sessions give you more time to settle into the session and reach a deeper sense of relaxation, which has a restorative impact on the body and mind, and allows for a deeper stretch.

Still have questions? Get in touch!

Our staff will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.