Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)
Improve Flexibility, Reduce Pain, Enhance Performance with AIS
Targeted Flexibility Therapy for Lasting Mobility and Injury Prevention
At Palm Beach Healing Center, we offer Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)—a specialized, research-informed stretching technique designed to safely and efficiently improve flexibility, restore range of motion, and reduce injury risk. Whether you’re an athlete, recovering from injury, or simply looking to move better and feel less stiff, AIS can help unlock greater mobility and performance with precision and care.
The Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) method of muscle lengthening and fascial release is a type of Athletic Stretching Technique that provides effective, dynamic, facilitated stretching of major muscle groups, but more importantly, AIS provides functional and physiological restoration of superficial and deep fascial planes. Over the past few decades many experts have advocated that stretching should last up to 60 seconds. For years, this prolonged static stretching technique was the gold standard. However, prolonged static stretching actually decreases the blood flow within the tissue creating localized ischemia and lactic acid buildup. This can potentially cause irritation or injury of local muscular, tendinous, lymphatic, as well as neural tissues, similar to the effects and consequences of trauma and overuse syndromes.
What is Active Isolated Stretching?
Active Isolated Stretching is a dynamic flexibility technique that isolates and lengthens one muscle at a time using a specific pattern of contraction and relaxation. Each stretch is held for no longer than two seconds, allowing the target muscle to elongate without triggering the body’s protective reflex that causes opposing muscles to contract.
Developed by Aaron Mattes, AIS is ideal for:
Unlike static stretching, which can restrict blood flow and potentially cause trauma if held too long, AIS is both safe and functional, focusing on optimal muscle lengthening and fascial release.
Benefits of Active Isolated Stretching
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) offers a safe and effective way to improve mobility and overall body function. By targeting specific muscles and movements, AIS helps you move with greater ease and resilience.
Who Benefits from AIS?
AIS is effective for a wide range of clients, including:
AIS is also a perfect complement to manual therapy, myofascial release, or personal training programs.
What to Expect in an AIS Session
AIS sessions are active, guided treatments—your therapist will assist you in performing a series of gentle, isolated stretches while encouraging controlled muscle engagement.
Each stretch lasts 1.5 to 2 seconds and is repeated in sets of 8 to 10 reps. The therapist may use a strap or gentle manual pressure to help you access full range of motion.
Sessions are customized to your physical needs, sport, or rehabilitation goals. You’ll leave feeling more mobile, looser, and often immediately taller and lighter.
Why Choose PBHC for AIS?
Our trained AIS practitioners combine clinical expertise with a deep understanding of anatomy and movement science.
Whether used as a standalone therapy or integrated into your broader treatment plan.
