AIS Stretch Therapy

A man receiving physical therapy or chiropractic treatment on his leg from a therapist in a room with beige walls and a wooden coat hanger on the wall.

Stretching on your own only gets you so far — and long, static holds may be working against you.

Our Mo Therapeutic Stretching Method is a complete, pain-free, table and mat-based approach built on active, targeted stretching — not the long static holds most people default to at home, which research suggests can actually restrict blood flow to the tissue rather than help it.

THE PROBLEM

"Just stretch more" is easy advice — but the way most people stretch may be part of the problem.

Every healthcare practitioner tells people to stretch, but there's a real difference between stretching and stretching well. Long static holds — 30, 60 seconds — have long been treated as the gold standard, but physiological research shows that holding a stretch beyond around 5 seconds can actually reduce blood flow to the tissue, causing localized de-oxygenation and lactic acid build-up. That can irritate rather than release the tissue, which is part of why some athletes deliberately skip static stretching before competing.

Self-directed stretching is also inconsistent, often technically imprecise, and rarely addresses the joint restriction and connective tissue changes sitting underneath the tightness you can feel — which is why the same tight spots tend to come straight back within days.

THE PROGRAM

What a session involves

1. Assessment of Your Needs

Identifying whether you need a general full-body "once over" or a site-specific session focused on 1–2 problem areas.

2. Active, Targeted Stretching

Rather than long static holds, our method uses brief, actively-held stretches repeated through a full range of motion — a technique with roots in Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), developed by Aaron Mattes and used with elite athletes managing both chronic and acute injuries. Each hold lasts only 1.5–2 seconds, working with the body's own reflexes instead of against them, so muscles release rather than tighten defensively.

3. Personalised At-Home Flow

A stretch routine tailored to you, so progress continues between sessions rather than resetting each time.

WHY MOMENTUM

Why this isn't just "stretching"

  • Built on the body's own mechanics, not just flexibility for its own sake — short, active holds avoid triggering the muscle's natural protective tightening reflex (the myotatic stretch reflex), which longer static holds tend to activate

  • Active movement drives the release — because the method always involves active muscle contraction, the opposing muscle group relaxes as a natural reflex response, rather than being forced into a passive stretch

  • A genuine complement to rehab, not a substitute for it— for anyone recovering from injury, this approach also helps address scar tissue and the movement compensations the body develops around an injury

  • Trusted by elite performance settings — the underlying method has been used with elite athletes managing both acute and chronic injuries, though its value isn't limited to high performance — it applies just as much to desk-bound stiffness or everyday mobility

WHO BENEFITS MOST

  • Active individuals training 3–5x per week wanting faster recovery between sessions

  • Weekend warriors (hikers, gym-goers) who push hard on limited days

  • Desk-bound professionals with neck and shoulder pain, tension headaches, or chronic lower back stiffness

  • Anyone recovering from injury, as a supplement to physiotherapy or chiropractic care

  • Those with conditions like frozen shoulder where training itself can be too aggravating

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

I can't help but share my great experience at Momentum and give a big shoutout to Adrian, my sport therapist! The space is always inviting and well-maintained, creating a comfortable atmosphere for healing.Now, let's talk about Adrian. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable and professional, but his positive energy is absolutely contagious. After every session with him, I leave not only feeling better physically but also mentally uplifted. He's been helping me recover from shoulder dislocation surgery and guiding me to regain my strength.Thanks to Adrian and the Momentum team, my progress has been steady and impressive. I'm very happy with the results, and I'll definitely be keep coming back. If you're looking for top-tier care in a supportive environment, give Momentum a try – you won't be disappointed!

UPDATED: I can’t thank Adrian enough for his expertise and care! After my last treatment, my neck felt better immediately, and with the extra exercises he provided, the pain never returned. Adrian truly saved my trips and got me back to full mobility. Highly recommend his sports therapy services—he’s knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely cares about your recovery. - Alessandro Pedrini

Big thanks to my therapist Adrian. The stretch therapy provided by him is effective. Adrian is experienced, patient and friendly. I am relaxed and carefree when working with him in the therapy sessions. - Carol Tam

Adrian provides tailor-made stretching programs which are very effective and helpful. - Stanley Leung

FAQ

How is this different from stretching on my own?

Self-directed stretching typically relies on long static holds, which research suggests can restrict blood flow and irritate tissue rather than release it. Our method uses brief, active holds that work with your body's own reflexes, targeting the joint restrictions and tissue tightness that static stretching alone doesn't reach — plus a personalised at-home routine to extend the results.

Isn't holding a stretch longer better?

Not necessarily — holding a static stretch beyond a few seconds can reduce blood flow to the tissue rather than help it, which is part of why some athletes actively avoid long static stretching before competing. Shorter, active, repeated holds are generally more effective for both mobility and recovery.

How long are sessions?

60, 90, or 120 minutes, depending on whether you want a general full-body session or a focused, site-specific one.

Is this only for injury recovery, or can I use it for general maintenance?

Both — it works well as a standalone recovery tool for active people and as a supplement alongside physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment.

Do you offer packages?

Yes — two package options are available; get in touch for pricing details.

Do I need a referral?

No.

Give your body the recovery it can't get from stretching alone.