In clinic I use a product called a mobility stick. This is a strong and flexible stick that comes in various lengths of 4 to 7 feet, and it is a straightforward way to create tension whilst stretching soft tissue structures. The mobility stick is helpful for feeling a stretch working.
A mobility stick can be used to loosen stiff joints, to create deep facial stretching and it can also be used to strengthen. I would add a fourth benefit which is to place a patient on stretch and then treat a tight tissue using for example a massage gun.
The primary goal of using a mobility stick is to gain optimum mobility and movement efficiency and sticks are effective in many distinct positions. A good example of a specific stretching drill is called Bow and Arrow and it can be seen below:
This is a particularly advantageous position to stretch muscles which insert onto the side of the spine. It also allows a connected stretch right up to the shoulder on the same side.
For further information on the use of a mobility stick go to stickmobility.co.uk/instructional-videos-free/. This is a comprehensive set of videos that cover most of the main movements that you can achieve with a mobility sick.
