11: Stretching the Tissues, or the Truth?

Does manual therapy stretch the tissues? Til and Whitney consider the history, evidence, debates and implications of this fascinating question. 

In this episode, 

• Myths and misperceptions about stretching, 


• Are we stretching connective tissue, or nervous system? 


• What does this mean for massage, bodywork, and manual therapy? 

Join two of the leading educators in manual therapy, bodywork, and massage therapy, as they delve into the most intriguing issues, questions, research, and client conditions that hands-on practitioners face. Stimulate your thinking with imaginative conversations, tips, and interviews related to the somatic arts and sciences. With Whitney Lowe and Til Luchau. 

Get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites! 

Resources discussed in this episode: 

• Ingraham, Paul. “Quite a Stretch: Stretching Hype Debunked.” https://www.painscience.com/articles/stretching.php. 


• Mitchell, Jules. 2019. Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined. Pencaitland, East Lothian: Handspring Publishing. 


• Smith, Nancy Keeney, and Catherine Ryan. 2016. Traumatic Scar Tissue Management: Massage Therapy Principles, Practice and Protocols. Edinburgh: Handspring Publishing. 


• Weppler, Cynthia Holzman, and S. Peter Magnusson. 2010. “Increasing Muscle Extensibility: A Matter of Increasing Length or Modifying Sensation?” Physical Therapy 90 (3): 438–49. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20090012. 


• AcademyOfClinicalMassage.com 


• Advanced-Trainings.com 

Sponsor Offers: 

• Books of Discovery: save 15% by entering "thinking" at checkout on booksofdiscovery.com. 


• ABMP: save $24 on new membership at abmp.com/thinking. 


• Handspring Publishing: save 20% by entering “TTP” at checkout at handspringpublishing.com. 

About Whitney Lowe  |  About Til Luchau  |  Email Us 

(The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is intended for professional practitioners of manual and movement therapies: bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedic, sports massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, yoga, strength and conditioning, and similar professions. It is not medical or treatment advice.)