Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is one of the most important methods of stretching that can be used by today's athletes, massage therapists, personal/athletic trainers, and health care professionals alike.  Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity.  AIS involves the method of holding each stretch for only two seconds.  This method of stretching is also known to work with the body's natural physiological makeup to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle joints and fascia.  The 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. 

Purpose of Stretching:

1. Increase and maintain complete range of motion of the joint.
2. Relieve muscle soreness.  Light exercise promotes a better supply of blood and oxygen to the muscles than complete rest and should be pursued unless severity of injury to muscles or joints precludes further activity.
3. Help improve our capacity for activity.  Stretched muscles require less energy for completion of movements.
4. Assists in decreasing unnecessary neuromuscular tension, promoting general body relaxation and reducing emotional stress.
5. Relieve muscle-joint stiffness associated with the aging process.
6. Increased musculotendinous extensibility.  Muscle can be stretched 1.6 times its resting length before it tears.
7. Elongate the fascia.  Fascia provides the binding together muscle support system.  Elasticity varies between individuals and is a major reason some individuals experience slower progress in flexibility attainment.
8. Help prevent joint sprains, muscle strains or tears including preventing re-injury to previous joint and muscle trauma.
9. Major part of the pre-activity warm-up increasing tissue temperature by an increased metabolic rate.
10. Part of the warm-down process increase blood flow to the fatigued area, eliminate toxic waste products from cells, reduce soreness, muscle relaxation and additional flexibility improvement.
11. Help provide greater potentials of physical and athletic skills.
12. Provides an important adjunct toward recovery during the rehabilitation process.