What Is Fascial Stretching Therapy (FST)?
FST is a system of assisted, table-based stretching performed by your registered massage therapist — you stay relaxed while
your therapist moves and stretches you, rather than stretching on your own. It targets the fascia and joint capsules, not just
the muscle, which is often what's actually limiting flexibility and performance.
How Does Fascial Stretching Therapy (FST) Work?
FST uses gentle traction combined with multi-dimensional movement, working through several planes of motion rather than
a single straight-line stretch. Treatment follows a logical progression through connected muscle chains across the body, and it
actively uses your own stretch reflexes to help the muscle respond and release — making it a more participatory process than
typical passive stretching.
Who this helps :
- Athletes looking to improve performance and reduce injury risk
- Anyone with reduced flexibility or restricted range of motion
- People recovering from injury who need to safely rebuild mobility
- Patients dealing with chronic stress or tension that's affecting movement
FST can complement other massage therapy approaches by addressing flexibility, mobility, and areas of muscular or fascial tension.
What to expect at your visit
You'll stay relaxed on the treatment table while your therapist moves your limbs and body through a series of guided
stretches — there's no active effort required on your part, which is part of what makes it effective. Sessions often leave
patients feeling looser and more mobile immediately afterward, with benefits that build over a series of visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — it's often most valuable for people who feel stiff or restricted, not people who are already flexible.
Not at all — while it's popular with athletes for performance and injury prevention, it's just as useful for everyday stiffness,stress-related tension, or general mobility.
Source: Cleveland Clinic notes that keeping fascia healthy through movement and stretching is important, since tight orrestricted fascia can limit movement and contribute to pain.
Take the next step.
Our Scott Road clinic welcomes patients from Guildford, Newton, Scott Road, and North Delta for personalized occupational therapy focused on their individual functional goals. Book online or call 778-590-4243.
