1. Flexibility & Postural Defects
The ability of a joint to move through its full range of motion

2. Types of Stretching Techniques
Ballistic Stretching: Stretching the muscle suddenly in a repeated bouncing movement
- elicits Myotatic Reflex (_____________)
Static Stretching: Slowly stretching the muscle and then holding the stretch position without bouncing
- elicits Inverse Myotatic Reflex (_____________________________)

3. Stretching & Muscle Reflexes
Myotatic Reflex (Stretch Reflex)
Muscle spindles, specialized sensory receptors, located among muscle fibers detect and respond to the _______ and ______________ of stretch on a muscle
- Sends message to spinal cord, which sends a message back to the muscle to __________

4. The Myotatic Reflex (Stretch Reflex)

5. Stretching & Muscle Reflexes
Inverse Myotatic Reflex (Stretch Reflex Inhibition)
Golgi Tendon Organs, specialized sensory receptors, located within tendons detect and respond to _______ caused either by muscle contraction or by being stretched
- Sends message to spinal cord, which sends a message back to the muscle to _______

6. Inverse Myotatic Reflex (Stretch Reflex Inhibition)

7. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)
Incorporates the stretch reflex inhibition to better facilitate stretching
Contract-relax-stretch pattern

8. Developing Flexibility
Frequency: __ to ___ days/week
Intensity: Stretch to the point of discomfort, not pain
Duration: Hold stretch position __ to __ seconds. Perform approx. 4 reps of each stretch

9. Low Back Pain
Low back pain can result from traumatic injuries, but is more often the long-term result of “weak” and “inflexible” muscles, poor posture, or poor body mechanics.

10. Good Posture vs. Lordosis

11. Lordosis-Excessive anterior curvature of the lumbar spine
Weak Muscles
________________
Inflexible Muscles
Pelvic Roll?

12. Check for Lordosis Anterior Superior Iliac Spine
Posterior Superior Iliac Spine

13. Strengthen the Weak Muscles: Abdominals Hip Extensors
Crunch
Bridge

14. Stretch the Inflexible Muscles Low Back Ext. Hip Flexors
Knees-to-Chest
Lunge

15. Kyphosis-Excessive ________ curvature of the thoracic spine
Weak muscles
_______________
Tight Inflexible muscles

16. Scoliosis- Lateral Curvature of the Spine

17. Scoliosis 80% of scoliosis is idiopathic
Other causes include, congenital spinal deformities, neuromuscular problems, leg length discrepancies, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, etc.
Most common: Adolescent yrs
Affects 2% women, .5% men

18. Scoliosis – Signs & Testing
Unequal shoulder or scapula (prominent)
 distance between arm and side
Uneven waist
______________ (Adam’s Forward Bend Test)
Check for Scoliosis

19. Need for Early & Regular Screening at Home
Degree of curve can progress as much as ___ to ___ degrees per month.
If degree of curve exceeds 40 degrees then surgical intervention is usually required.