If You’ve Tried Everything But Your Muscles Are Still *So* Tight, Assisted Stretch Therapy May Be Just What You Need

Stretching to reach your toes was a common daily warmup in our childhood PE classes. That said, as adults, it can be harder to get around to stretching or know how to do it correctly. However, stretching has several benefits beyond feeling oh-so-good on those tight muscles. That may be one reason more people are turning to “stretch therapy”—aka, getting a professional to help you stretch out. “Assisted stretch therapy has increased in popularity these past few years,” says Thomas Pontinen, MD, physician and co-founder of Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists. “When we’re talking about stretch therapy, it’s often referring to therapeutic services that help individuals stretch more effectively and safely.” It’s part of a shifting trend toward recovery: Nearly half of Americans say stretching and restorative yoga are very important to them, per a 2023 Mindbody report. In fact, stretching class reservations at gyms increased 91 percent in 2023 from the previous year—and stretching studio franchise StretchLab opened its 400th studio in November 2023 (and had agreements in place for 900 more studios as of early 2024), reports CNN. Here’s what to know about the practice before you sign up to get stretched.

What is stretch therapy?

In short, stretch therapy is when a trained specialist helps you stretch your muscles in specific ways. “Unlike traditional stretching you might do on your own, stretch therapy is often more structured and tailored to your specific needs,” says Eva Lassey, DPT, doctor of physical therapy and founder and CEO of DrSensory. It may help with several musculoskeletal issues, per NASA, which offers stretch therapy as part of its Starport quality-of-life program for employees. These issues may include:

• Tight muscles
• Lack of mobility
• Poor flexibility
• Pain

Stretch therapy can also boost your physical awareness by helping you better understand your body, limitations, and proper movement patterns. “It can be used to remedy limited tissue movement, joint imbalances, and similar concerns that place someone at risk for injury,” says Brittany Ferri, PhD, an occupational therapist with the National Council on Aging. If you think that sounds a bit like physical therapy, you’re not wrong—but there are some distinct differences. While stretching is often a part of physical therapy, they’re not the same, Dr. Ferri says. That’s because physical therapists typically have more extensive training than stretch therapists, which they use to treat health conditions that may involve decreases in motion, flexibility, strength, coordination, and more. Many physical therapists offer stretching in addition to therapeutic exercises, patient education, neuromuscular re-education, gait training, pain management modalities, and more based on the patient’s concerns and priorities.

The benefits of stretch therapy

Keeping your muscles limber, in general, comes with several perks. In fact, higher flexibility scores were linked to a lower risk of early death in a 2024 study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. “Stretching increases circulation and can expedite muscle recovery and joint health, because blood carries the nutrients that keep tissues healthy,” Dr. Pontinen says. “It also increases bodily range of motion and reduces muscular tension.” It’s possible that stretching with an expert can help you take advantage of these benefits, if you wouldn’t normally do so on your own. “Stretching has many known benefits, but assisted stretching can make those benefits more accessible,” Dr. Pontinen adds. “Having an expert to guide you through each step is a great tool for keeping your stretches safe and effective.” With a stretch therapist, you may also be able to perform stretches with more depth, patience, and precision—taking you beyond basic toe touches or arm raises. A therapist also has the knowledge to help you target the right muscles based on your unique needs. “When you seek an expert’s help for stretch therapy rather than going it alone, you can also benefit from improved knowledge about your body’s mechanisms and how to listen to bodily signs of pain and discomfort,” Dr. Ferri says.

Drawbacks of stretch therapy

Research has yet to back up many of the benefits of investing in assisted stretching for overall health, especially when compared to regular, moderate physical activity, per Harvard Medical School. While deeper stretching could be helpful for those who participate in sports like dance or gymnastics that require a great deal of flexibility, stretching studios may not be necessary for the everyday person. If you’re just a bit stiff, simply practicing yoga or tai chi may help you feel more limber. There are also certain physical drawbacks of stretch therapy compared to other modalities like physical therapy. “While stretch therapy focuses on flexibility and range of motion, it may not be enough to address underlying issues such as muscle imbalances, chronic pain, or serious injuries, which may require a more comprehensive approach like physical therapy,” Dr. Lassey says. It also comes with the potential risk of overstretching, which can lead to injuries like strains or sprains—so it’s important to find a therapist who understands your body and unique needs. Keep in mind that you’ll need to see a stretch therapist repeatedly to see results. “Regular sessions can be expensive, and the costs can add up over time, especially if you’re seeing a specialized therapist,” Dr. Lassey adds. “Stretch therapy requires a regular commitment to see long-term benefits, which may not be feasible for everyone.”

“Stretching has many known benefits, but assisted stretching can make those benefits more accessible. Having an expert to guide you through each step is a great tool for keeping your stretches safe and effective.” —Thomas Pontinen, MD

Cost and insurance coverage

The price of stretch therapy varies by provider. “Stretch therapy typically costs between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on where you live and the therapist’s experience,” Dr. Ferri says. Some stretch studios may offer discounts for multiple sessions or initial consultations at a lower rate, which may be helpful if your insurance doesn’t cover it (which is likely to be the case). “Insurance usually doesn’t cover stretch therapy, though some plans might include it under alternative medicine benefits,” Dr. Ferri says. Check with your insurance company to see if they offer any coverage. Some insurance plans may also cover your stretch therapy if it’s part of a broader physical therapy program prescribed by a doctor, Dr. Lassey adds.

Find stretch therapy near you

Go-to online directories like Zocdoc, Healthgrades, and Yelp can help guide you to local stretch therapists or studios offering stretch therapy. However, read reviews and testimonials carefully to get insight into the quality of services. “I’d call and ask for a place to share information about credentials, in addition to what makes them special versus the competition,” Dr. Pontinen says. Check what experience the stretch therapists have at a given studio or gym. For instance, some may receive a specific number of hours of hands-on training, have exercise science degrees or yoga certifications, or even carry physical therapy degrees, per the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Your existing healthcare team may also have suggestions for stretch therapists or centers. “Ask your primary care physician, physical therapist, or fitness trainer for recommendations,” Dr. Lassey says. “Many gyms, yoga studios, and wellness centers also offer stretch therapy as part of their services.”

Bottom line: Is stretch therapy right for you?

If you’re looking for guided help in improving your flexibility, easing muscle tension, or boosting your athletic performance for sports like dance, stretch therapy might be beneficial (just be prepared to cover it out of pocket). However, if you’re experiencing chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or dealing with a specific condition, it’s better to consult a physical therapist or your doctor first.