Facilitated Stretching by Robert McAtee, Jeff Charland

From the Publisher

The third edition of Facilitated Stretching is now revised, reorganized, and packaged with a DVD—surpassing its popular predecessor as the best source for the latest PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching techniques.

Facilitated Stretching, Third Edition, provides a useful overview of PNF stretching—a safe and easy-to-use method that involves stretching the muscle, contracting it isometrically against resistance, then stretching it again to a new range of motion. These steps apply whether you are isolating one muscle at a time or using the spiral-diagonal patterns of PNF to stretch groups of muscles simultaneously. The third edition contains all the great features of the previous edition, plus the following:

• A companion DVD that demonstrates live stretching techniques from the book for a clearer understanding
• New stretching routines for a variety of popular activities including running, golf, swimming, cycling, and throwing and racket sports
• General stretches and stretches for older participants
• Stretching activities with added strength work using stability balls and elastic bands
• Stretching and strengthening tips for dealing with—and even preventing—common soft-tissue injuries
• A new test package conveniently offered online at www.HumanKinetics.com/FacilitatedStretching

Audiences: Textbook for massage therapy, athletic training, and other related courses; reference for sports medicine and fitness professionals, therapists, coaches, and athletes.

Raymond J. Barile

This book has been written to provide a self-teaching style of the stretching technique known as PNF stretching. The author brings together the concepts of PNF stretching theory and techniques and presents them in a self-teaching style text. PNF stretching is a difficult topic to teach from a book, and the author is successful in meeting this objective. According to the author, this book is aimed at massage therapists, althletic trainers, physicians, coaches, and athletes. This projected audience may be a bit broad. In my opinion, this book is well suited for physical therapists and athletic trainers. The black-and-white photographs and illustrations present and demonstrate particular muscle groups and PNF stretching progressions that make self-instruction easy. This book could benefit from more and updated references. This handsome book would be a valued additon to the allied health practitioner's library. The author has brought PNF stretching and theory to an understandable and practical level.

Joseph L. Hughes

This book provides a good overview of PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching techniques along with pictorials and other pertinent information required for safe stretching. The authors succeed in presenting an updated understanding of PNF stretching techniques, both active and passive, as well as how they can be incorporated into treatment regimens. Written for athletes, coaches, and sports medicine professionals, this book facilitates a greater understanding of a proper stretching session and provides nice pictorials of major stretches. The principal author is obviously an authority on this subject matter and is careful to not talk over the heads of his readers. PNF stretching is comprehensive, including its history, proper positioning, as well as different techniques. A great overview of muscle origin, insertion, and action is presented, which is critical information to achieve proper positioning of stretches. Another nice feature is the clear pictures which are quickly accessible via colored index tabs. Case studies are incorporated, as is a section on combining soft tissue work and stretching. A review of PNF literature is also given, including pros and cons. In my opinion, this book is a very helpful aid in furthering one's understanding of PNF stretching. The authors do a great job of describing proper stretching sequences with regard to positioning, verbal cueing, and timing. It also promotes independence by showing self-stretches for all major muscle groups. Since the authors do not go into depth on tissue physiology, this book is reader friendly for a wide audience.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Raymond J. Barile, MS, ATC (Cornell University)
Description:This book has been written to provide a self-teaching style of the stretching technique known as PNF stretching.
Purpose:The author brings together the concepts of PNF stretching theory and techniques and presents them in a self-teaching style text. PNF stretching is a difficult topic to teach from a book, and the author is successful in meeting this objective.
Audience:According to the author, this book is aimed at massage therapists, althletic trainers, physicians, coaches, and athletes. This projected audience may be a bit broad. In my opinion, this book is well suited for physical therapists and athletic trainers.
Features:The black-and-white photographs and illustrations present and demonstrate particular muscle groups and PNF stretching progressions that make self-instruction easy. This book could benefit from more and updated references.
Assessment:This handsome book would be a valued additon to the allied health practitioner's library. The author has brought PNF stretching and theory to an understandable and practical level.

Booknews

Translates the complexities of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching into an easy, step-by-step method for athletes, coaches, and sports medicine professionals, showing how to perform 66 facilitated stretches covering all major muscles and muscle groups. This edition features the latest PNF stretching techniques, and is expanded to include a broader scope of stretches and self- stretches. It also includes a new section on using facilitated stretching along with soft tissue therapy for reducing pain and restoring range of motion lost due to injury. Includes b&w photos demonstrating techniques, and two-color anatomical diagrams. Presented in a wire ring binding surrounded by a paper cover. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

What People Are Saying

Guy Andrews
"Bob McAtee has done an outstanding job with his revision of Facilitated Stretching. The crystal-clear text and sparkling, detailed photographs are a winning combination, and the new DVD brings the stretches to life! This book is a valuable addition to the library of every serious fitness professional."--(Guy Andrews, MA, CSCS *D, Executive Director, Exercise ETC Inc.)

Harvey S. Newton
"Facilitated Stretching serves the elite athlete and the weekend warrior well. Bob McAtee has worked on my aches and pains a dozen or so times over the years. He's one of the finest!"--(Harvey S. Newton, CSCS, Executive Director, National Strength and Conditioning Association (review of previous edition))

Robert K. King
"Facilitated Stretching is an excellent contribution to the art and science of manual therapy. Bob McAtee provides a technically sound, easy-to-follow approach to therapeutic muscle stretching. I highly recommend it."--(Robert K. King, Founder and President of Chicago School of Massage Therapy, author of Performance Massage (review of previous edition))

Craig Liebenson
"Facilitated Stretching will benefit anyone interested in functional training. The coverage of spiral-diagonal PNF stretches alone makes this book and DVD a must-have."--(Craig Liebenson, DC, L.A. Sports and Spine, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Pain Society)

Pat Archer
"Clear, step-by-step descriptions, detailed illustrations, and ease of use make Facilitated Stretching an essential resource for any massage therapist."--(Pat Archer, MS, ATC, LMP,
Cortiva Institute-Brenneke School, Senior Faculty and Director of Therapeutic Massage In Athletics Certification Course, author of Therapeutic Massage In Athletics (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2006))

Rating

3 Stars from Doody

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents