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Prescriptive Stretching
Elite athletes have long relied on personalized stretching programs to improve flexibility and prevent injury. What you might not know is that many of those targeted stretches have a much broader application, one that you can easily incorporate into your daily pain relief. Prescriptive Stretching features full-color anatomical illustrations and step-by-step instructions for 40 of the most effective stretches to eliminate pain, alleviate muscle soreness, improve balance and flexibility, and prevent common injuries. In addition, you’ll find sample stretching programs that you can follow as is or personalize to meet your body’s needs. Best of all, Prescriptive Stretching shows you how to quickly assess your pain and identify the stretches to reduce discomfort. Specifically, you’ll find recommendations for these common -Headache -Back pain -Neck stiffness -Shoulder soreness -Golfer’s elbow -Tennis elbow -Runner’s knee Whether you’re looking to increase range of motion or simply eliminate muscle pain and discomfort, Prescriptive Stretching has you covered. Comprehensive yet easy to use, it’s the guide you’ll turn to again and again.
137 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
59 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 17, 2019
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss
This is a wonderful, detailed book about stretching. The mechanisms are explained well, and there are detailed drawings, and ever so many different stretches, explanations on why they're needed or what they prevent. I was at first so awed with the book I wanted to buy it straight away! But then I tried doing the exercises and realized there is going to be a problem for me personally with following written and drawn explanations. There's just this thing which they can't do that a video or instructor can. For me, who has barely ever exercised, it proved too hard, because I still don't fully get how to do things 'right' - despite the fact that it even has explanations of what to do and what not to do, what the most common mistakes are. So I would say this is a perfect book for those who have done stretching in their life and are somewhat familiar, but want to go deeper. And while it's a wonderful book, the medium itself may be harder for a beginner. A book won't do what an instructor or at least a video might give you. But it is a good resource nonetheless!
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
This is a wonderful, detailed book about stretching. The mechanisms are explained well, and there are detailed drawings, and ever so many different stretches, explanations on why they're needed or what they prevent. I was at first so awed with the book I wanted to buy it straight away! But then I tried doing the exercises and realized there is going to be a problem for me personally with following written and drawn explanations. There's just this thing which they can't do that a video or instructor can. For me, who has barely ever exercised, it proved too hard, because I still don't fully get how to do things 'right' - despite the fact that it even has explanations of what to do and what not to do, what the most common mistakes are. So I would say this is a perfect book for those who have done stretching in their life and are somewhat familiar, but want to go deeper. And while it's a wonderful book, the medium itself may be harder for a beginner. A book won't do what an instructor or at least a video might give you. But it is a good resource nonetheless!
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
January 14, 2020
Many people have problems that they are only aware of through symptoms like head aches or back pain that result from imbalances in muscle tightness. This book explores stretching, systematically.
The book is divided into four parts. The first, entitled “Stretching Fundamentals,” presents fundamental principles and background information. Besides basic guidelines for stretching, it also discusses anatomy and physiology of the muscular system at a rudimentary level.
The second part is about targeted stretches, and it forms the heart of the book. This section, literally, goes from head to toe (and then back to the arms) explaining techniques for stretching major skeletal muscles. For some muscles, there is more than one stretch shown, but for others there is just one. Each entry on a muscle is divided into two parts. The first, “Muscle Facts,” describes the muscle, the causes of tightness, the symptoms of tightness, tests to gauge how tight the muscle is, and any precautions that should be considered when stretching the muscle. The second presents the stretching technique with a line drawing and mention of any mistakes to avoid.
The third part presents programs for pain relief. There’s a useful section that discusses morning aches and pains, and the ways in which one is sleeping might be leading to a crick in the neck or shoulder pain. This section not only lists the muscles that one should stretch to address various issues, but it gives little anatomical drawings in the context of the stretch that both help show what one is stretching and gives a reminder of the stretch.
I came to this book from the perspective of a yoga practitioner and teacher. If you’re wondering how these stretches differ from yoga, a major factor is that balance is taken out of the equation. The stretches in the book are done in a stable position. The downside of this is two-fold. First, if you want to build and maintain balance, you need to do an entirely separate set of exercises for that (depending upon the condition of the individual that could be necessary or a waste of time.) Second, one needs access to a wide range of equipment such as tables, adjustable benches, etc. to make these exercises work. The upside is that the individual is in a safe and stable position, so if they have poor balance they are at minimal risk.
The last section is one assessing flexibility and muscle balance. People think more about the former than the latter, but for most people, how balanced opposing muscle groups are probably contributes more to painful problems in the body. Because some muscles are easier to stretch than others, a book that shows how to get to the more challenging muscles is a great thing to have.
The ancillary matter includes a variety of graphics (mostly line drawings and anatomical drawings), a section upfront on the major components of the muscular and skeletal systems, and a references section in back.
I found this book to be useful and informative. I’d recommend it for individuals such as trainers, yoga teachers, athletes, and others who want to understand stretching at a level beyond technique.
The book is divided into four parts. The first, entitled “Stretching Fundamentals,” presents fundamental principles and background information. Besides basic guidelines for stretching, it also discusses anatomy and physiology of the muscular system at a rudimentary level.
The second part is about targeted stretches, and it forms the heart of the book. This section, literally, goes from head to toe (and then back to the arms) explaining techniques for stretching major skeletal muscles. For some muscles, there is more than one stretch shown, but for others there is just one. Each entry on a muscle is divided into two parts. The first, “Muscle Facts,” describes the muscle, the causes of tightness, the symptoms of tightness, tests to gauge how tight the muscle is, and any precautions that should be considered when stretching the muscle. The second presents the stretching technique with a line drawing and mention of any mistakes to avoid.
The third part presents programs for pain relief. There’s a useful section that discusses morning aches and pains, and the ways in which one is sleeping might be leading to a crick in the neck or shoulder pain. This section not only lists the muscles that one should stretch to address various issues, but it gives little anatomical drawings in the context of the stretch that both help show what one is stretching and gives a reminder of the stretch.
I came to this book from the perspective of a yoga practitioner and teacher. If you’re wondering how these stretches differ from yoga, a major factor is that balance is taken out of the equation. The stretches in the book are done in a stable position. The downside of this is two-fold. First, if you want to build and maintain balance, you need to do an entirely separate set of exercises for that (depending upon the condition of the individual that could be necessary or a waste of time.) Second, one needs access to a wide range of equipment such as tables, adjustable benches, etc. to make these exercises work. The upside is that the individual is in a safe and stable position, so if they have poor balance they are at minimal risk.
The last section is one assessing flexibility and muscle balance. People think more about the former than the latter, but for most people, how balanced opposing muscle groups are probably contributes more to painful problems in the body. Because some muscles are easier to stretch than others, a book that shows how to get to the more challenging muscles is a great thing to have.
The ancillary matter includes a variety of graphics (mostly line drawings and anatomical drawings), a section upfront on the major components of the muscular and skeletal systems, and a references section in back.
I found this book to be useful and informative. I’d recommend it for individuals such as trainers, yoga teachers, athletes, and others who want to understand stretching at a level beyond technique.
December 7, 2024
In my opinion this is a book more suitable for physical therapists than for “normal” people but clearly I could be wrong and in any case some of the information were important for me as well and I will treasure them.
Secondo me questo é un libro piú adatto a i fisioterapisti che alle persone "normali" ma chiaramente mi potrei sbagliare e comunque alcune informazioni sono state importanti anche per me e ne faró tesoro.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Secondo me questo é un libro piú adatto a i fisioterapisti che alle persone "normali" ma chiaramente mi potrei sbagliare e comunque alcune informazioni sono state importanti anche per me e ne faró tesoro.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
April 29, 2012
This is the most comprehensive and mechanically helpful book on stretching I've seen. The stretches are illustrated with anatomical drawings of the area with the specific muscle highlighted. This is most helpful for me to make sure I was stretching the right muscle. Some of the stretches are also illustrated from different angles so you can make sure you're in the right position.
Why this book was great for me:
Learning the specific stretches for muscles when there is more than one muscle in the area was such a relief. There are some muscles I was able to stretch that I'd been stretching wrong, or even unable to get to, for years. The author even tells you how to stretch that weird muscle on the side front of your shins that I previously thought was unstretchable, or thought I had to dislocate my ankle to get to.
The author briefly mentions specific instructions for hypermobility.
This book stretches a lot of the front of the body, too, which seems to be a rarity.
Why this book was great for me:
Learning the specific stretches for muscles when there is more than one muscle in the area was such a relief. There are some muscles I was able to stretch that I'd been stretching wrong, or even unable to get to, for years. The author even tells you how to stretch that weird muscle on the side front of your shins that I previously thought was unstretchable, or thought I had to dislocate my ankle to get to.
The author briefly mentions specific instructions for hypermobility.
This book stretches a lot of the front of the body, too, which seems to be a rarity.
November 26, 2020
Decent book on stretching major muscles and muscle groups throughout the body. In the day and age of COVID and computers, we all are sitting way too much and "tightening up." Written from a naprapath's perspective, it geared towards the individual consumer and maybe a fitness professional. I read this book for some of my annual CEUs for the National Strength and Conditioning Credential I have. The thing I liked best was the very well drawn stretching pictures -- showing the position of the stretch and the muscle being stretched. One caveat is that the written instructions are at times slightly confusing. As noted, the partner stretches should be done with caution. Overall, a worthy book for a fitness professional's shelf.
December 20, 2020
It's a pretty good reference book. Illustrations and descriptions of stretches is good. You can also find video clips off the stretches demonstrated if you search for the author and the stretch on YouTube.
The book includes a list of stretches, many of which are common and commonly used by PTs, athletes, and coaches, that should be avoided. However, it does not explain why. I've had to reach out to friends (including some professional physical therapists) to try to understand why these stretches may be discouraged.
The book includes a list of stretches, many of which are common and commonly used by PTs, athletes, and coaches, that should be avoided. However, it does not explain why. I've had to reach out to friends (including some professional physical therapists) to try to understand why these stretches may be discouraged.
January 2, 2025
Very informative technical book, as the author really starts with the biology and goes into a lot of detail on muscle structure etc...
The stretches for each muscle are very informative and lots of recommendations for do's and dont's which makes it a good reference book I think.
There is a section that recommends stretches to focus on for various pain/problem areas might have and want to focus on.
A bit intimidating of a book, since it's more of a reference than a book with stretching plan to just do this and follow.
Enjoyable.
The stretches for each muscle are very informative and lots of recommendations for do's and dont's which makes it a good reference book I think.
There is a section that recommends stretches to focus on for various pain/problem areas might have and want to focus on.
A bit intimidating of a book, since it's more of a reference than a book with stretching plan to just do this and follow.
Enjoyable.
January 27, 2020
As I’ve been more active lately I’ve had more aches and pains. This book has a wide range of stretches to cover your normal typical muscle troubles. Most of it is very clear but a few stretches could use better illustrations.
August 27, 2025
I brought this book to work and found it quite helpful. But there are a few stretches that I found a bit hard to follow, especially the ones stretch smaller muscles, words and pic aren't really enuogh to know how to place my body.
June 27, 2022
Excellent book on stretching. I may purchase a copy of my own.
December 7, 2023
内容还是有点过于基础向了，对标的读者应该是运动新人。 如果我在刚开始锻炼时看到这本书就好了！
January 2, 2024
Would of never thought I would need this book but that’s the reason why it called out to me 3 years ago when I found it during my travels ♾️🗺️
February 19, 2025
Instead I don't feel the basic knowledge(first 20%) is enough.
Read
January 30, 2025Translated it into Mongolian.
September 24, 2011
This book hooked me when the cover illustration pinpointed a neck muscle that has been tight and tense for two years. Prior to reading this book, I was getting treatments and massages that only relieved the pain for a day or two. After following the mild stretching exercises for three days (less than 10 minutes a day), the muscle loosened, and the pain when away. The stretches are gentle, and the instructions are very specific. The medical illustrations help visualize where the muscle is and whether you are stretching the correct one. I borrowed the book from the library, but fully intend to by my own copy for reference
June 12, 2013
Although static stretching in isolation will not correct the imbalances of the body, I feel like this is a good book to use in conjunction with myofascial release, and corrective exercise. Moreover, the illustrations are phenomenal,and I like how it goes into WHY certain muscles are tight/trigger points and what are other symptoms around the body that result from this tightness. I also like how it talks about how your pain might be caused from other trigger points: for example how the upper back pain actually stems from tight pectoral muscles and upper trapezius muscles so those are the ones that need work!
June 20, 2012
Köpte den här på bokrean för några år sedan och sen dess har den samlat damm.
Nu har jag börjat gå till och från jobbet och letade i bokhyllan efter en bok med stretchövningar för ben och höften. Då hittade jag den här och läste igenom den från pärm till pärm.
Det är en lättläst bok med tydliga exempel på varje övning. Övningarna verkar täcka alla de större musklerna. Men jag är inte tillräckligt duktig på fysiologi för att bedömma om det är världens bästa tips men för en total nybörjare fungerar den som bra start för att komma igång med rörlighetsövningar!
Nu har jag börjat gå till och från jobbet och letade i bokhyllan efter en bok med stretchövningar för ben och höften. Då hittade jag den här och läste igenom den från pärm till pärm.
Det är en lättläst bok med tydliga exempel på varje övning. Övningarna verkar täcka alla de större musklerna. Men jag är inte tillräckligt duktig på fysiologi för att bedömma om det är världens bästa tips men för en total nybörjare fungerar den som bra start för att komma igång med rörlighetsövningar!
July 24, 2012
This is a straightforward tonic of a book targeted towards anyone with muscular tightness or imbalance. It is simple and compact but includes not only a thorough description of each stretch, but also common errors made in their execution, and a prophylactic listing of common causes of tightness in each muscle group. The book is extremely effective in reaching its objective, but feels as though it falls short by missing some of the more minor muscle groups. A concise overview of functional stretching for those not seeking to be inundated within the world of sports physiology.
July 28, 2021
This is my favorite book on stretching. It focuses on one very targetted stretch (and possibly a variation, like seated vs. standing) for each muscle covered in the book, with short troubleshooting sequences for common issues like a kink in the neck and low back pain. There are stretches in here I haven't seen in other resources, like the sternocleidomastoid stretch and levator scapulae stretch, that are sometimes exactly what you need, and no substitutes will do.
It's not comprehensive -- there are muscles that aren't covered -- but it is very detailed and very technical.
It's not comprehensive -- there are muscles that aren't covered -- but it is very detailed and very technical.
May 24, 2015
This is a book that I take with me on long trips. The exercises are unique and very specific to various ailments. The neck stretches in particular have saved me trips to the osteopath for injections. This is an important manual for self-care. You do have to take your time and read through the instructions for the various stretches, but they're laid out very clearly. Having studied massage and the teaching of yoga, I appreciate seeing what muscles are being released.
November 30, 2011
I love this book. I feel like it is almost single-handedly responsible for keeping me walking around and not in immense amounts of pain. It is easy to follow, and it helps to know when you aren't doing the stretch correctly or need to change something. And the illustrations are wonderful.
August 19, 2014
Well, it's not your action packed novel, but it is very good and informative. If you do not have knowledge of your muscle anatomy, it gives a detailed description, with pictures of this. It helps you find the exact cause and treatment for your pain and related muscles.
January 30, 2020
Love how detailed this book is. I've found it quite useful in designing workouts.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews