Stretch Therapy in West Linn

Stretch therapy is hands-on, assisted stretching. A trained therapist guides your body through stretches you could not easily do on your own, supporting your limbs so your muscles can relax into the movement. At Gentle Care Chiropractic, our approach focuses on the fascia and surrounding tissue to improve mobility and release tension, and it can be paired with exercise therapy and movement-based sessions.

Fascia is the thin, continuous layer of connective tissue that wraps around your muscles, joints, and organs. When it feels tight or restricted, movement can feel stiff or limited. Fascia-focused stretching uses slow, sustained stretches and hands-on techniques that address muscle and connective tissue together, rather than one muscle at a time.

Yes. Along with assisted stretching, Kathryn offers exercise therapy and movement-based sessions, and she performs exercise rehab. Stretching can open up range of motion, and exercise helps your body use and hold onto it. If you are recovering from an injury or simply feel weak or unstable in certain movements, she can build guided exercises around your goals and your current abilities.

A movement-based session is an active, guided session. Instead of lying still while you are stretched, you move with your therapist: controlled mobility drills, strengthening exercises, and movement patterns chosen for you. Many clients combine assisted stretching and movement work in the same visit.

They are related but different. Massage mostly works on soft tissue with pressure and kneading. Stretch therapy moves your joints and limbs through their range of motion while the therapist guides and supports you. Many people enjoy both, and they work well together. Our team offers massage therapy as well, so you can choose what fits your needs.

It should not. A good stretch can feel like deep pressure or a pleasant pull, but it should never feel sharp or painful. Your therapist works gently and checks in with you throughout the session. You are always in control, and you can ask for less or more intensity at any time.

Wear comfortable, stretchy clothing that lets you move freely, such as athletic pants or leggings and a loose top. You stay fully clothed during the session.

When you stretch alone, your muscles often stay partly braced to hold the position. With assisted stretching, the therapist supports your limbs, so your body can relax more fully and reach positions that are hard to get into by yourself. Research shows stretching can produce short-term improvements in range of motion, and many people find a guided session helps them feel looser and more at ease. Results vary from person to person.

Yes. Stretch therapy fits well alongside chiropractic care. Looser, more mobile tissue can make it easier for your body to move freely after an adjustment. Your care team can coordinate so that stretching supports your treatment plan, and your chiropractor can let you know when it makes sense to add it.

It depends on your goals, your activity level, and how your body responds. Some people come in for a single session to ease out a tight spot. Others build it into a regular routine. Your therapist will talk through a schedule that makes sense for you after your first visit.

Let us know before your session if you are pregnant, have a recent injury or fracture, recent surgery, a joint condition, osteoporosis, or any condition that affects how your body should be stretched. We will review your health history and adjust the session, or let you know if it is better to wait or check with your doctor first.

Coverage depends on your plan and on why you are coming in, so we cannot say for every patient. If you were injured in an auto accident, ask us whether stretch therapy fits into your care plan and claim. Call (503) 650-2394 and our front desk will help you understand your options before you book.

Stretch therapy is offered at Gentle Care Chiropractic in West Linn, Oregon, and serves patients from Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Tualatin, Milwaukie, Wilsonville, and the greater Portland area.