StretchLab in Blasdell can help you be more flexible, pain-free and a lot more relaxed
By Catherine Miller
Imagine a place where you could increase your flexibility and mobility, decrease chronic pain, increase your energy level, decrease blood pressure and improve your posture, all in less than an hour and without breaking a sweat.
Well, that place does exist and it’s within reach at the StretchLab.
The StretchLab is a new wellness facility dedicated to helping people get in their prime physical shape by, you guessed it, stretching.
StretchLab, located at 3860 McKinley Parkway in Blasdell, opened in October and has assisted everyone from teens to senior citizens become more flexible and pain-free than they ever thought possible.
Operated by co-owners Carrie Klauk and Melanie Allessi, the StretchLab flexologists work one-on-one with their clients to perform stretches that aid in releasing tension from ligaments and muscles, increase blood circulation and improve overall posture and mobility.
“I personally owned a stretching studio for the last six years,” Klauk said. “It started as a side business and then, as it caught on, it became my career.
Melanie and I became friends when she was a client. She and I opened StretchLab to allow us to hire and train more professionals to keep up with the demand and help more people.”
It starts like this. You meet with a trained flexologist who will use a MAPS body scanning infrared camera to determine how well your body is presently moving as you perform three simple squats in front of the camera. With the data points from your full body scan, your flexologist has an immediate assessment of how well you are moving, what areas need improvement and then the fun begins. You lie on a comfortable table and your flexologist moves your body with gentle stretching techniques for either a 25-minute or 50-minute period, using the data from your MAPS scan to customize your stretching session.
“This is not yoga,” Klauk explained. “There is no prior knowledge needed and no strength necessary. Our flexologists do all the work.”
Monthly MAPS scans will be conducted to chart your progress and continually customize your sessions for optimal results. Your flexologist will alternate you between gentle static stretches and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, where you are asked to “resist” the stretch by pushing against them, deepening the stretch for added benefit.
“We are not doctors,” Klauk said. “But all of our flexologists are movement professionals. We have a chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapy assistants, personal trainers and occupational therapists working here. They do go through an intense 65-hour StretchLab training prior to working with clients.”
In addition to the one-on-one facility, the StretchLab group has gone out into the community to educate people during their “Lunch and Learn” programs. The flexologists visit business offices during a workday to show employees simple stretching techniques to alleviate pain associated with sedentary work. They demonstrate gentle stretches and full-body movements that can be done periodically during the workday to battle desk fatigue.
Aging causes the body to lose elasticity and flexibility in the ligaments and tendons. Stretching regularly with a flexologist can loosen these tight areas, bring back range of motion and improve your posture. As with any physical activity you will want to check with your physician if you have any prior health issues prior to beginning your stretching journey.
Almost everyone can benefit from one-on-one stretching. Senior citizens have found the StretchLab assists them in improving their balance and range of motion. Young athletes use the StretchLab at the end or between exercise sessions to work on the muscles and ligaments that take a beating during their workouts. Anyone wanting to decrease chronic pain, increase their range of motion, flexibility and overall health would benefit from visits to this stretching facility. At the end of your session, you walk away relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. Maybe that’s why it’s becoming so increasingly popular.
Visit StretchLab
Introductory cost of stretching sessions at StretchLab is $29 for 25 minutes or $49 for 50 minutes. Regular cost is $49 for 25 minutes and $95 for 50 minutes. Discounts are available based on frequency of treatments.