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FOR ACCESS TO FREE VIDEOS AND ARTICLES AND THE LATEST NEWS ON UPCOMING TRAININGS, JOIN DR. BENJAMIN ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/DRBENBENJAMIN. AIS for Neuromuscular Reeducation Often the clients in greatest need of neuromuscular reeducation are those struggling with chronic degenerative diseases. AIS therapist Al Meo told us about one woman he's worked with who has multiple sclerosis (MS). About 15 years ago, she was diagnosed with relapsing/ remitting MS, a form of the disease in which relapses (periods in which new symptoms appear and old ones resurface or get worse) alternate with periods of full or partial recovery. Her neurologists told her that her condition would slowly worsen after every relapse; they estimated that she'd lose 1–3 percent of her neuromuscular functionality each time. Determined to stay as high-functioning as she could for as long as possible, the woman committed to a regular schedule of AIS work, receiving AIS sessions twice a week and doing it on her own for 30 minutes the other five days. So far, she has exceeded all expectations, losing no functionality at all since her diagnosis. Meo remembers one relapse in which her legs were greatly debilitated. She began doing AIS two days later and surprised her doctors with a full and remarkably quick recovery (five or six days). With ongoing AIS work, this person continues to maintain an active, busy life. Not only can she carry on basic daily activities, but she is also able to work a full schedule as a clinical massage therapist, seeing seven patients a day, five days a week. When stretching the hamstrings, starting from the bent-knee position stretches the distal half of these muscles. REPEATING THE PROCESS By repeating every movement six to eight times, we reinforce the neural pathways and solidify the learning in the nervous system. CONCLUSION Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article, where we'll explain the final two steps in the rehabilitation process— rebuilding strength and restoring full function—and discuss how you can personalize this process for your clients to help optimize their healing. education and sports medicine. He is founder of the Muscular Therapy Institute. Benjamin has been in private practice for more than 45 years and has taught communication skills as a trainer and coach for more than 25 years. He teaches courses across the country on topics including Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening, orthopedic massage, communications, and ethics, and is the author of Listen to Your Pain, Are You Tense? and Exercise Without Injury, and coauthor of The Ethics of Touch. He can be contacted at 4bz@mtti.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/DrBenBenjamin. Starting from the straight-leg position stretches the proximal half. connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 95 Ben E. Benjamin, PhD, holds a doctorate in who specializes in physiatry, a branch of medicine focused on restoring optimal functioning and quality of life to people with physical impairments or disabilities. Haggquist completed his residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, his osteopathic internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and his medical education at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He teaches widely on flexibility and neuromuscular reeducation, and is a national specialist on Active Isolated Stretching. He has trained elite athletes and is the medical director of the Flexibility, Sports, and Rehabilitation Clinic in Washington, D.C. Prior to his medical training, he practiced as a neuromuscular massage therapist for more than two decades. Jeffrey P. Haggquist, DO, is an osteopath Editor's note: Massage & Bodywork is dedicated to educating readers within the scope of practice for massage therapy. Essential Skills is based on author Ben E. Benjamin's years of experience and education. The column is meant to add to readers' knowledge, not to dictate their treatment protocols.