Assisted Stretching with a Therapist Can Improve Range of Motion
- Lauren Walker
- Jul 28
- 5 min read
Struggling with stiffness in your hips, shoulders, or lower back? Feel like your body isn’t moving the way it used to? You’re not alone. Many people experience limited range of motion (ROM) due to sedentary habits, injury, overuse, or simply the effects of aging.
The good news is that assisted stretching—a hands-on technique guided by a trained therapist—can be an incredibly effective solution to restore flexibility, improve movement, and reduce pain.
Let’s take a closer look at what causes range of motion issues and how assisted stretch therapy can help.
What Is Range of Motion?
Range of motion refers to how far and how freely a joint or body part can move through its intended path. Healthy ROM is essential for everyday tasks like reaching overhead, bending, twisting, or walking comfortably.
There are two main types:
Active ROM – how far you can move a joint using your own muscles
Active ROM – how far the joint can move when an outside force (like a therapist) moves it for you
If you're experiencing stiffness, tightness, or joint limitations, both active and passive ROM may be restricted—and that’s where assisted stretching can help.
Common Causes of Limited Range of Motion
Several factors can lead to restricted flexibility and mobility:
Muscle tightness or overuse
Scar tissue from surgery or injury
Poor posture or prolonged sitting
Joint conditions like arthritis
Neuromuscular imbalances
Lack of movement or exercise
Aging and decreased tissue elasticity
Over time, these issues can cause muscle imbalances, discomfort, or compensatory movement patterns that increase the risk of pain and injury.
What Is Assisted Stretching?
Assisted stretching involves a trained therapist gently guiding your body through a series of targeted stretches. Unlike stretching on your own, assisted stretching allows for deeper, more precise movements that target tight or restricted areas safely and effectively.
Your therapist will assess your posture, mobility, and flexibility, and then create a customized stretching plan focused on your specific needs. Techniques may include:
PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation): Involves alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles to deepen the stretch
Passive stretching: Therapist moves the limb or joint while you stay relaxed
Active-assisted stretching: You actively participate in the stretch with guided support
Myofascial release techniques to address tight fascia around muscles
Range of Motion Issues That Assisted Stretching Can Help
Here are several common conditions and areas where assisted stretching can significantly improve flexibility and function:
🔹 Neck and Shoulder Tightness
Modern lifestyles involving screens, stress, and poor posture often lead to tight traps, neck muscles, and restricted shoulder mobility. Assisted stretching can release tension and improve overhead or rotational movement.
🔹 Lower Back and Hip Stiffness
Sitting for long periods can shorten the hip flexors and hamstrings, leading to lower back discomfort. Assisted stretches can target these problem areas and restore a healthy range of motion in the hips and spine.
🔹 Hamstring and Calf Tightness
Runners, athletes, and even desk workers often experience tight hamstrings and calves. A therapist can help lengthen these muscles in ways that are difficult to achieve alone, reducing the risk of strains and improving gait.
🔹 Post-Injury or Post-Surgery Recovery
Following an injury or surgery, scar tissue and muscle guarding can limit mobility. Assisted stretching can help break down adhesions and gently reintroduce movement in a safe, controlled way.
🔹 Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Assisted stretching is often part of a rehab plan for frozen shoulder, where slow, progressive stretching helps restore shoulder movement and reduce joint stiffness.
🔹 Arthritis or Joint Stiffness
For those with arthritis, assisted stretching helps maintain joint health by promoting fluid movement, decreasing stiffness, and keeping surrounding muscles pliable and strong.
🔹 Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention
Even healthy, active individuals can benefit. Assisted stretching helps maintain optimal flexibility, balance muscular tension, and improve functional performance in sports or workouts.
Benefits of Assisted Stretching
The hands-on nature of assisted stretching makes it more effective and targeted than self-stretching. Here’s why it works:
Deeper, safer stretches without overextending
Improves joint health by encouraging better lubrication and movement
Releases tight fascia and muscular knots
Enhances circulation to tight or restricted areas
Reduces pain and stiffness caused by chronic muscle tension
Improves posture and alignment
Boosts athletic performance and mobility
Plus, many people find assisted stretching to be relaxing and therapeutic—combining elements of physical therapy with the calm of a massage session.
What to Expect During a Session
A typical assisted stretching session may include:
Assessment of your current mobility, posture, and goals
Targeted stretches for specific muscle groups and joints
Breathwork and body awareness to help deepen stretches
Post-session guidance for at-home stretches or mobility work
You’ll stay fully clothed, and most sessions are performed on a massage table or mat, depending on the therapist’s approach.
Is Assisted Stretching Right for You?
Assisted stretching is ideal if you:
Feel chronically tight or stiff
Struggle with poor posture or flexibility
Are recovering from an injury or surgery
Want to move better or train more effectively
Spend long hours sitting or doing repetitive tasks
Are looking for a non-invasive, therapeutic way to restore mobility
It’s also an excellent preventative tool, helping you avoid the aches and limitations that often come with a sedentary or stressful lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Improving your range of motion isn’t just about feeling more flexible—it’s about moving better, reducing pain, and supporting a healthier, more functional body. With the help of a skilled therapist, assisted stretching provides a safe and effective way to overcome tightness, restore joint mobility, and get back to doing what you love.
Want to feel looser, lighter, and more mobile? Book an assisted stretch session and experience the difference guided mobility can make!
Relish Well-ness to the Core with our Relaxing Massage Sessions: Wellness Rituals offers effective alternative healing therapies such as Thai Yoga Massage or our Table Top Stretch Sessions. This unique healing therapy incorporates Yoga, pressure points, and reflexology, aiming to reduce body fatigue.
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