STRETCHING ANATOMY

Course overview

In this cognitive course, massage therapists will learn to identify the primary and secondary muscles used during 70 range of motion stretches for seven body regions: 1) neck, 2) shoulder, back and chest, 3) arm, wrist and hand, 4) lower trunk, 5) hip, 6) knee and thigh, and 7) foot and calf. Therapists will learn the proper form and effect of each stretch, and see how it interacts with surrounding joints and muscles. Therapists will also learn about different types of stretches, benefits of stretching, and recommendations for stretching programs to aid in soreness recovery and injury rehabilitation. This course does not teach therapists how to perform these stretches during a massage, although some of them are adaptable. The focus of the course is to show how to perform self-stretches for every major muscle group of the body, and is useful for teaching clients stretches that can benefit them between sessions.