AriFit Deep-Tissue Stretch Therapy™

This page explains principles in more depth to help reinforce what you’ve learnt.

📹 For a detailed breakdown of key concepts covered in this workshop, please review the following videos below 👉 www.arifit.com/DTST

Education Prerequisites:

  • Know the concepts behind “lock & stretch” MRTechnique

  • Know the concepts behind PNF stretching

Stretch Precursors:

Client & Technique Guidelines

  • What to do when you have 5 minutes left in a session: 

    • Prioritize hips, glutes, shoulders, and pecs.

  • How to know if clients are receptive to fascial therapy:

    • Build rapport and adjust each session to help clients feel safe.

    • "Consent is communication!" Constantly check in on pressure.

    • Always check in when stretching personal areas (glutes, hips, adductors) which require extra communication.

    • Watch for non-verbal cues (face reactions, body tension).

Client Communication Post-Stretch:

  • Always remind clients to electrolyte hydrate post-session:

By releasing fascia tension, you are allowing more circulation to rush into each stretched area of the body… hydration cues the fascia to continue circulation and recovery to entire body

  • “You might feel sore from the deep-tissue MRT the following day”

Myofascial Release Technique

"Everything is connected"

  • Ideally, start recovery with the most relaxation - prone position.

  • Start with Low back/pelvis shaking: Gyrate to detect stiffness or immobility. 

  • Begin with shaking the paraspinals to loosen tension.

  • Apply palm pressure to Paraspinals → Glutes → Hamstrings → Feet → Shoulder  trigger points, always working on both sides.

How to OPTIMIZE your USE of a MASSAGE GUN:

Use of the Massage Gun (Percussive Therapy)

✅ Safe Areas to Target:

  • Forearms – Especially helpful post upper-body work

  • Meat of the Palm – Use light pressure and short durations

  • Glutes – Great for everyone, especially those with tight hips

  • Feet – Use lightest pressure; avoid lingering or digging in

✋ Pro Tip: Use Both Hands✋

  • One hand holds the massage gun while the other hand guides the direction and shows the client where you’re going next
    → This improves control, prevents slipping, and builds client trust

🚫 Avoid These Areas:

  • IT Band – too thin & sensitive for hard percussion

  • Spine – avoid direct contact with vertebrae & any bone

  • Bony Areas – can cause discomfort or bruising

 Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretches

 "Setup for success"

  • Always cue your clients (use tapping to guide PNF engagement)

  • PNF stretching: ALWAYS APPLY LIGHT TRACTION

    • Hamstring “Lift & Sink”

    • Dynamic Glutes

    • Hip "Lap Dance"

    • Shoulder ROM Circumduction

📌 Important:

Please do not repurpose or redistribute any of this content.

This is for educational purposes within the TFT FQ10 workshop.