I decided to try StretchLab about 3 months ago. I have had lower back pain, especially in the morning sometimes, for a number of years. I was also experiencing numbness in the bottom of my feet which, of course, was very concerning. I had visited an orthopedic doctor who used imaging to see that one of the discs in my lower back was applying pressure to my spinal cord and this was the likely cause. He suggested physical therapy.
StretchLab has a great methodology for increasing flexibility, over time, in all the muscles in your body. I go in for a 50 minute session once a week and the trainer (in this case Aqilah) assists you in positioning, isolating the muscles being targeted for stretch, then applying pressure carefully and progressively to safely stretch the muscle, increasing the level of stretch I can achieve even in one session, and certainly increasing over a series of sessions.
Aqilah rapidly identified that my hamstrings were quite tight, and that they almost certainly were having effects on my lower back because of the tightness, pressure on my lower back, and misalignment from one side to the other. The work we have done together has increased the flexibility in my legs, in my back and torso, and fairly rapidly began changing my ability to move and do even simple things. A great example is putting on pants or shorts, I used to have to have one hand steadying myself when doing this because I was afraid I would miss my leg or it would get caught on the way in and of course I might fall or trip. Without thinking much about I realized that after 2-3 weeks of regular, methodical stretching I was no longer steadying myself. I didn't need to! I could just put one leg in my shorts and without thinking much of it the next one as well. The day I realized I was doing it I was so surprised and delighted. I was so proud to tell her when I arrived for my session "Okay... I am now a total fan of this. I can't believe how much better I am already feeling".
As to my back pain, it is considerably less and most days I don't feel it at all. After seeing the doctor I was taking prescription NSAIDs, but was able to drop down to over the counter (Alleve) twice a day. I am now down to only once a day at bedtime and I feel better than I did even when taking prescription meds. I am just about to stop taking it even once a day - I just don't feel I need it any more. I do feel like the numbness is improving - though to be hones it took years for it progress to this point, so I am reasonable in my expectations. Things are definitely improving and my motivation increasing.
If you are considering trying StretchLab I can certainly suggest that you do. As I said, I have been going now for 3 months, I look forward to my session every week, and over time Aqilah has worked a number of areas in my body and limbs and I can really feel the difference. I find that she listens to how I am doing, notes the progress, is careful to select different areas for focus each week, and to never overdo it. I can feel the progress and sometimes a little soreness the next day, but overall it's made a huge difference. I like that fact that we work together to work a little harder in the areas that especially need it.
I am so glad StetchLab has been created. Believe me you can't get these results from your own stretch work. You are applying the force and I am sure it has positive effect, but at StretchLab your trainer is applying, and reacting to force you push back with, in a way you can replicate as effectively as they can and across more muscle groups than you even know you have. I love it! read more