
03/10/2025
Passive stretching is a gentle, therapist‑assisted technique in which I, as a massage therapist, move and hold a client’s limb or joint at the end of its comfortable range while the client stays relaxed. The therapist supports the body part, moves it slowly to the point of mild tension (never sharp pain), and maintains the position for 20–60 seconds while observing the client’s breath and tissue response; after a slow release the stretch may be repeated and combined with soft tissue work or active movements as appropriate. The purpose is to restore joint mobility, reduce passive muscle stiffness, and improve tissue extensibility without activating the client’s muscles, making it useful for clients with guarded muscles, limited range of motion, postural restrictions, or as part of recovery from immobilisation when medically cleared.