Stretch Rx: a targeted approach
Stretch Rx is our signature approach to assisted stretching, otherwise known as stretch therapy. During these one-on-one sessions, a certified therapist such as a kinesiologist or PTA, manually guides your body through targeted movements. The experience is entirely passive, allowing your muscles to fully relax, leading to a deeper release and a greater increase in flexibility.
Benefits of Stretch Rx
Stretch Rx sessions can help individuals experience:
- Reduced pain and enhanced flexibility
- Increased circulation
- Enhanced athletic performance and strength
- Ease of built-up tension and nagging stiffness in hips, legs, back, neck, and more
Stretch Rx can help reduce pain in a variety of conditions
Stretch Rx can provide effective relief for a wide range of conditions and injuries caused by muscle tightness and limited mobility, including:
- Poor posture
- Athletic injuries
- Joint pain
- Muscular imbalance
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Shin splints, plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome Pinched nerves, and more
Other conditions that Stretch Rx can help:
- Chronic Pain
- Disc herniation
- Facet joint dysfunction
- And more
Stretch Rx vs massage therapy
Both relieve tension, but they achieve it in different ways. Massage therapy typically focuses on kneading and applying pressure to break down tight muscle knots. In contrast, Stretch Rx focuses on lengthening the entire muscle to improve your overall flexibility and range of motion. Where massage may sometimes lead to soreness afterwards, Stretch Rx should help you feel looser and relaxed.
Frequency of Stretch Rx sessions
The ideal frequency depends on your goals. For general wellness, once or twice a month may be sufficient. For sports recovery or addressing chronic stiffness from a desk job, weekly sessions might be recommended. Your physiotherapist will work with you to create a schedule.
Assisted stretching is not painful
The goal is to release tension, not pain. You should feel a deep, satisfying stretch, sometimes described as "the good kind of pull" but never sharp or painful. Your therapist is trained to listen to your body and will communicate with you throughout the session to ensure you're always comfortable and in control.
Who can Stretch Rx help
Almost anyone looking to improve their mobility and reduce stiffness can benefit from stretch therapy. It’s especially effective for athletes wanting to enhance sports recovery, office workers seeking relief from "desk posture," and anyone who feels that general tightness is limiting their daily life. If you want to move more freely and feel better in your body, Stretch Rx can help.
What to expect prior to your first session
Getting started with Stretch Rx is simple, safe, and built around your needs.
If you are a new patient, you will first undergo a 30-minute assessment with a physiotherapist or chiropractor who will evaluate your mobility and health goals to create a customized assisted stretch plan to meet your needs.
Existing physiotherapy or chiropractic patients can book stretch therapy sessions at their convenience.
What your first Stretch Rx session includes
Your session will consist of a passive stretch as your therapist manually guides your body through a series of gentle targeted movements. This will ease your body into a deeper, more effective stretch to help release tension and improve flexibility.
Ongoing support from your care providers
Your plan is monitored and adjusted by your physiotherapist or chiropractor, ensuring you achieve lasting results and feel better after each session.
To help maintain your results, your stretch therapist will also provide you with a customized program including at-home stretches along with video and instructions to support your progress between visits.
What to wear to your Stretch Rx sessions
You are fully clothed during your sessions. We recommend loose-fitting, or comfortable clothing you can stretch in.
Stretch sessions may be covered by extended health benefits
Your Stretch Rx sessions are overseen by a physiotherapist or chiropractor, which means they’re eligible for coverage under most extended health insurance plans. We recommend contacting your benefits provider to confirm the details of your coverage.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required. As Stretch Rx is available for private patients, anyone who feels they may benefit from the service is welcome to book an appointment.
Stretch Rx is delivered by specially trained Lifemark therapists such as kinesiologists and PTAs, who use their clinical expertise to help safely improve flexibility, reduce tension, and support the mobility of their clients.
Lifemark is a proudly Canadian, national healthcare company delivering over 25 years of service excellence across community rehabilitation services, workplace health and wellness, and independent medical assessment services. With over 3,300 highly trained clinicians, medical experts, and team members in over 300 locations, Lifemark is one of Canada’s most trusted healthcare organizations. We are passionate about enriching the lives in the communities we live and serve.
