Facilitated Stretching-3rd Edition

192 pages published: 2007

About the Book

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

The new edition has also been reorganized using a regional approach to presenting muscle group functions around specific joints. You will learn how to stretch each major muscle in the body, both individually and in groups. In addition, you will discover how to appropriately use group pattern stretches to improve flexibility and coordination and individual muscle stretches to relax tight muscles and break up adhesions within or between muscles. Instruction is provided for using the techniques on your own or with a partner.

More than 350 photographs showing the progression of stretches enrich the book while the new 60-minute DVD demonstrates the stretches and strengthening exercises in even more detail. Icons are featured throughout the text, indicating which exercises are demonstrated on the DVD. A unique binding also allows you to lay the book flat while performing the exercises without losing your place. The DVD serves as a great visual tool for improving your technique and getting the most out of your routines.

An ideal reference for fitness professionals, Facilitated Stretching, Third Edition, provides techniques to help athletes, patients, and clients improve flexibility, strength, and coordination while also treating and preventing injuries. Students in massage therapy, athletic training, and other professional training programs will discover how to use facilitated stretching in conjunction with massage and other manual therapy techniques. A test package is also available for instructors and is conveniently offered through a product-specific Web site: www.HumanKinetics.com/FacilitatedStretching.

With Facilitated Stretching, Third Edition, you have a cutting-edge tool packed with the latest PNF stretching techniques to help you assess current muscle function, improve range of motion, increase strength, reduce overuse injuries, and enhance performance.

About the Author

Robert McAtee, BA, LMT, CSCS, C-PT has been a sport massage therapist since 1981, specializing in sport and orthopedic massage therapy. Since 1988 he has maintained an active, international sport massage practice in Colorado Springs, CO.

McAtee has been using facilitated stretching techniques with clients and athletes since 1986. He teaches facilitated stretching and sport massage seminars throughout the United States and internationally to massage therapists, athletic trainers, personal trainers, chiropractors, Olympic-caliber athletes and coaches, and amateur athletes.

He has been a keynote speaker and featured presenter at numerous national and international conventions. He was one of only 180 massage therapists selected from a field of 800 applicants to be on the medical services team for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

McAtee received his massage training at the Institute for Psycho-Structural Balancing (IPSB) in Los Angeles and San Diego (1981-82) and through the Sports Massage Training Institute (SMTI) in Costa Mesa, California (1986). He holds a BA in Psychology from California State University (1974), is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (1992), is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (1998), and an ACE-certified personal trainer (2006).

McAtee regularly presents workshops on facilitated stretching, massage, and soft-tissue injury care nationally and internationally. For more information, please contact him at

Pro-Active Massage Therapy 1119 N. Wahsatch Ave., Suite 1 Colorado Springs, CO 80903 USA Tel: 719-475-1172 Website: www.stretchman.com

Jeff Charland, PT, ATC, CSCS, GDMT, was a 1983 graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison physical therapy program, where he also competed as a varsity wrestler on a scholarship. Beginning in 1987, Charland lectured in the areas of sports medicine, rehabilitation, and assessment and treatment of neural tissue disorders. He was a team trainer and traveled internationally with the U.S. Judo and U.S. Wrestling Federations’ national and Olympic teams.

Charland completed the graduate program in manipulative therapy at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, under the direction of Bob Elvey, a world-renowned physiotherapist. He was a certified athletic trainer through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA. In 1997, he earned a certification in active release techniques. He also served as director of a sports physical therapy clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Words of Praise

"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)

"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)

"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)

"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

"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.