Assisted Stretching for Adults 50+
Keep the movements that make a day easy: looking over your shoulder to back out of the driveway, putting on your socks without a fight, getting up from the floor, a full golf turn.
What changes with age, and what doesn't have to
With age, muscles and connective tissue tend to stiffen, and most of us spend our days in a smaller range than we used to, so range shrinks a little at a time. Range can still improve with regular stretching later in life, and the movements you practice are the ones you keep.
Gentle, adapted, and built around your health
We ask first, and every session is adjusted to what you tell us:
- Osteoporosis or low bone density: no forceful twisting or rounding of the spine; we work around it.
- Hip or knee replacement: we follow your surgeon's precautions to the letter.
- Blood thinners: lighter pressure, because you may bruise more easily.
- High blood pressure: you breathe through every stretch and never hold your breath.
- Balance: nothing is rushed, and we help you up and down.
If your doctor has given you limits, bring them. We’d rather know.
Why balance and strength are part of every session
The largest review of exercise and falls, 108 trials with more than 23,000 people, found that balance and functional exercises reduced the rate of falls by about a quarter. It found no trials testing stretching on its own (Sherrington et al., 2019). So sessions for adults 50 and up finish with simple balance and strength work you can repeat at home.
Your first session
- About 50 minutes.
- What happens: a short conversation about what you want to move better and anything we should know about your health, then your movement screen and the stretch.
- You finish with your strength moves and your take-home routine.
- We measure before and after, and you keep the numbers.
- Wear clothes you can move in. No jeans or belts.
- Come about 10 minutes early. Parking is free in front of and behind the building at 8 Merchants Way.
- FIT Stretch is self-pay and isn't billed to insurance.
- Ages 12 to 17 are welcome with a parent or guardian in the room.
- Allow a few extra minutes for your health questions.
- FIT Stretch is self-pay; Medicare and other insurance don't cover it. Chiropractic care with Dr. Brandon is separate and billed to Medicare under Medicare's rules.
What people say
Questions people ask
I have osteoporosis. Is assisted stretching safe for me?
It can be, with the right choices. We avoid forceful twisting and rounding of the spine, keep pressure moderate, and spend more time on hips, shoulders and ankles. If you've broken a bone in a minor fall, check with your doctor before starting.
I had a hip replacement. Can I do this?
Usually, once your surgeon has cleared you for normal activity. Tell us which approach was used if you know it; we follow your surgeon's precautions and skip anything they've ruled out.
I'm not flexible at all. Is that a problem?
No. That's the starting point, and every position is adapted to where you are today.
What if getting down is hard for me?
Tell us. Nothing is rushed, we help you up and down, and many stretches can be done seated.
Is FIT Stretch covered by Medicare?
No. FIT Stretch is self-pay. Chiropractic care with Dr. Brandon is separate and billed under Medicare's rules.
Want to keep moving the way you like?
If something hurts — sharp pain, pain that wakes you at night, numbness or tingling, or a recent injury — start with an evaluation instead. See where it hurts or book a first visit with Dr. Brandon.