She had seen flyers for Active Isolated Stretching
(AIS), but didn’t believe that one practice could treat
multiple injuries. However, after her own experience
with injury, she decided to take a course for AIS.
AIS is based on holding a stretch for two to three
seconds, rather than 30 or 40. Despite common belief,
the longer you hold a stretch is not actually better.
“It just makes the muscle tired and angry,” explains
Cherico.
The first time she took the course in 2003 she was
overwhelmed with information and says she only
used about 3 percent of what she learned. She started
stretching her neck using the AIS therapy, but even
she admits that she was skeptical in the beginning.
Regardless, she continued to stretch and eventually
noticed a difference. She decided to take the course
again in 2005. By that time, she had come back ready
to practice on her clients.
When Cherico describes the type of people she
helps, it’s pretty simple.
“People who are in pain,” says Cherico. “People
usually come because they have severe pain and have
been through the medical gamut. That’s my favorite
client because they’re ready to try anything.”
While Cherico believes that physical therapists
and doctors are important, she considers herself and
other medical massage therapists the true “muscle
doctor.” She says that she’s had clients return to their
doctors and physical therapists after using her
stretching techniques and they were surprised at the
results.
Cherico charges $75 an hour in her office and $95
for an in-house session, but doesn’t necessarily want
you to keep coming back. After she sends you home
with the AIS techniques, she has one request: that
you stretch 10-15 minutes every night before you go
to sleep.
“My goal right now is to start the natural solution
revolution,” says Cherico.
Though it has a ring to it, it’s not just a slogan.
Cherico is really adamant about natural solutions due
to the fact that many people who are in pain are prescribed
muscle relaxers or other kind of pain relievers
that never actually fix the problem. Further,
unfortunately, people tend to get addicted to them.
Cherico says these medications are cover-ups.