Revive. Strive. Thrive.

Accomplish your fitness and recovery goals with active isolated stretching.

At Thrive we help individuals from all walks of life accomplish their goals. Our clients range from professional athletes looking to gain a competitive edge, to recovering cancer patients seeking to regain range of motion. No matter your current condition, we will help you revive, strive, and thrive.

Learn More about Active Isolated Stretching

About Thrive Stretch Therapy

Where are we?

Thrive is an active isolated stretching (AIS) studio located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Who do we serve?

We have a wide variety of clients ranging from professional athletes (PGA golfers and olympic skiers looking to reach peak flexibility for athletic performance), to recovering cancer patients seeking rehab for increased range of motion. We encourage you to read testimonials from our clients below to learn how AIS could help you.

Athletes:
- Shannon Hanley - LPGA Professional Golfer
- Logan Sankey- Professional Skier, US Ski Team

Injury Rehabilitation:

Wellness in Aging

What do we do?

We help people to improve wellness by increasing flexibility and range of motion through activate isolated stretching.

What is active isolated stretching, and what is the science behind it?

Active Isolated Stretching (A.I.S.) is an important part of warm-up, training, or rehabilitation. Specificity is important to achieve maximum circulation, oxygenation, relaxation, lymphatic circulation, nutritional deliverance and tissue elongation.

The process begins with identification of the specific muscles and tissues to be stretched. The opposite side

At Thrive Stretch Therapy, we utilize the Mattes Method of AIS. For the past 42 years, Aaron L. Mattes training and education of functional anatomy and kinesiology provided a basis for his innovative therapeutic myofasical technique termed the Mattes Method. The Mattes Method promotes functional and physiological restoration of muscles, tendons, vertebrae, ligaments and joints facilitating healthier superficial and deep fascial planes.

The Mattes Method incorporates a key concept, which states that only relaxed myofascial structures will allow themselves to be properly stretched. The Mattes Method utilizes a gradual stretch of no longer than 2.0 seconds promoting a full range of motion and flexibility without activating antagonistic muscle group contraction.

The Mattes Method is a manual technique that isolates muscles that are to be stretched by contracting the opposing muscles. The clinical success of the Mattes Method are based on sound scientific principles that adhere to the practical application of Wolff's and Sherrington's Laws.

Facilitated stretch based on anatomical knowledge of muscle tendon origin and insertion provides for optimal flexibility without trauma.

Benefits of Stretching

Improve preparation for athletic activity. Warm-up stretches facilitate increased blood shunting to muscles, increased body temperature, reduced muscle tension, heightened neuromuscular integration and improved connective tissue pliability.
Optimize muscle and tendon range of motion up to 1.6 times resting length. At muscle lengths greater than 1.6 times its resting length, muscles will begin to tear and bleed. In general, females are more flexible than males.
Facilitate the removal of metabolic waste products. Improved oxygenation eliminates carbon dioxide formation; whereas, improved circulation eliminates lactic acid buildup.
Reduce risk of muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint injuries. Improved flexibility optimizes physiologic functions and decreases local ischemic effects.
Reduced postural tightness due to aging. Kyphosis, scoliosis, and flexor contractures are created by tightness of myofascial structures supporting the spine as we stand in a forward biped stance.
Rehabilitate muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries. Flexibility promotes improved blood circulation and oxygenation, nourishing cells, tissues and organs restoring health and wellness.
Facilitate the flow of lymphatic fluid. Optimal stretch stimulates the flow of lymphatic fluid that allows the body to channel waste and toxic products out of the body.
Enhance athletic performance in conditioning. Optimal flexibility requires less energy expenditures in movement allowing for increased stamina and performance enhancement of speed, agility, and strength.
Maximize potential and level of athletic performance. Stretching, flexibility, and the use of plyometrics have promoted higher performance abilities, especially noted in jumpers, as a result of increased muscle power and elasticity by virtue of neuromuscular integration and optimization.

Services

Evaluation Stretch

Come see what active isolated stretching is about with an evaluation stretch.

Evaluation is 1.5 - 2 hours in length.
We use this time to diagnose whats going on with your body to find imbalances, areas of weakness and areas of concern.
Allows us to develop a stretching and strength training protocol.
After your initial evaluation we will together design a plan for a stretching and strength training program personalized for your goals. As with any fitness program consistency is what yields best results.
$50 with purchase of stretching package.

Stretching for Athletes

Whatever your sport, active isolated stretching can take your game to the next level. The efficiency, precision, and freedom with which the athlete is able to move will help regulate athletic performance. Efficiency is dependent upon training and conditioning. Facilitated stretching allows for more intense training. Restrictions from pain, spasms, and tension inhibit freedom of movement. Without freedom of movement, precision is adversely affected. The Mattes Method of Active Isolated Stretching reduces many of these restrictions. Read more about the benefits of an optimal flexibility program.

Injury Rehabilitation

Trigger Point Therapy is a healing technique based on the principle of free and uninterrupted energy flow and helps activate the natural healing processes in each patient's body as well as to restore their physical and emotional well-being. As a certified Massage Therapy Professional, I help patients reduce their stress and anxiety, among other ailments.

Wellness in Aging

In spite of our best attempts to avoid the inevitable aging process, we succumb to a constricted flexor posture in our torso and four extremities. Fortunately, through proper stretching and restoration of flexibility, we can maintain a healthier homeostatic, pain free state, and enjoy a better quality of lifestyle within the three dimensional physical plane. Contact us to learn how active isolated stretching can help with wellness in aging.