Fascial Stretch Therapy · Bethesda, MD

Fascial Stretch Therapy
Near You in Bethesda, MD

Whether you're a runner whose hips have been tight for months, a desk worker carrying tension in your neck and shoulders, or someone in their 60s who just wants to bend down and tie their shoes without that familiar pull, fascial stretch therapy can help. FST is practitioner-assisted stretching that works on the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding every muscle and joint in your body. We offer it right here in Bethesda as part of a hands-on approach to helping you feel and move better.

Book An Appointment How it works
One-on-one with Dr. Helms Sports chiro + physical therapy Bethesda, MD
Fascial stretch therapy piriformis treatment at Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD
Session 1 Most patients feel a difference after their very first visit
4–6 Sessions typically delivers lasting results for chronic tightness
Same-week Appointments usually available, walk from Bethesda Metro
One-on-one every visit
Same-day appointments available
7625 Wisconsin Ave Suite 219, Bethesda MD

Reduce the pain

FST releases fascial tension that makes everyday movement feel restricted, so the ache in your hips, the pull in your back, and the tightness that ordinary stretching never quite reaches can finally start to ease.

Restore your movement

Guided, multi-directional movements work through your whole fascial system, bringing back the range you've been missing. Whether that means reaching overhead, moving through a training session, or just getting through your day without stiffness.

Feel it in session one

Most patients walk out noticeably looser after their very first visit. FST delivers real, tangible results quickly, and the gains build with each session so you keep feeling better over time.

What Is Fascial Stretch Therapy?

Assisted Stretching That Reaches Deeper

Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) is a practitioner-assisted stretching method that targets your fascia, the web of connective tissue that wraps around every muscle, joint, and organ in your body. Unlike a foam roller or a static hamstring stretch you do on your own, FST uses smooth, rhythmic, traction-based movements to release restrictions through the entire fascial system, not just isolated muscles.

During a session, you lie fully clothed on a padded treatment table while Dr. Helms guides your body through a series of controlled, comfortable movements. He stabilizes one part of your body while gently moving another, following the natural lines of the fascia rather than forcing against them.

FST is especially helpful for people who feel chronically tight despite regular exercise or stretching, because the restriction often lives in the fascia, not the muscle. It also works naturally alongside chiropractic and physical therapy, helping to maintain the mobility gains that hands-on treatment creates.

Traction applied along fascial lines Dr. Helms uses gentle, rhythmic traction to follow the natural paths of your fascia, guiding restrictions to release rather than forcing against them
Restrictions release through the whole chain Unlike stretching one muscle at a time, FST works through the whole fascial system, so the release feels deeper and lasts longer
Mobility and comfort return Most patients notice the difference before they leave: improved range, reduced tension, and movement that feels easier than it has in a long time
FST vs. stretching on your own

Static stretching targets individual muscles in one direction. FST works on the whole fascial system using assisted, multi-plane traction, reaching layers and chains you cannot access on your own, with a practitioner guiding every movement to your body's specific restrictions.

How It Compares

Fascial Stretch Therapy vs. Other Approaches

Not all stretching reaches the same layers. Here is how FST differs from what most people try on their own.

Comparison of fascial stretch therapy, static stretching, and foam rolling
Fascial Stretch Therapy Static Stretching Foam Rolling
What it targets Entire fascial system: muscles, joints, and connective tissue chains Individual muscles in isolation Surface myofascia and localized trigger points
Method Practitioner-guided traction along the natural fascial lines Self-directed, fixed hold position Self-directed, body weight and pressure
Depth of release Deep fascial lines: layers you cannot reach on your own Muscle belly only Upper soft tissue layers
Typical result Lasting mobility gains that build over sessions Temporary flexibility improvement Temporary tension and soreness relief
Effort required Passive: Dr. Helms guides every movement Active: you hold and control the stretch Active: you manage pressure and position
Best for Chronic tightness, full-body restrictions, post-PT maintenance General maintenance and warm-up flexibility Post-workout soreness and surface tension
Who It Helps

FST Welcomes a Wide Range of People

Whether you're training for your next race or just want to reach the top shelf without your shoulder aching, FST meets you where you are.

Runners and cyclists

Tight hip flexors, hamstrings, and IT bands build up over miles. FST releases the whole lower-body chain so you can move more freely and recover faster between sessions.

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Desk workers

Hours of sitting compress the hips and load the neck and shoulders. FST relieves the chronic tension that builds when your body holds the same position all day, so you can get through your afternoon without the familiar ache.

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Older adults

Flexibility and range of motion matter more as we age. FST helps you stay active, move comfortably through daily life, and hold on to the independence that comes with a body that moves well.

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Athletes in active training

FST fits naturally into a training week as a recovery tool, helping muscles reset between hard sessions and keeping the fascial system supple under repeated load.

Chronically tight people

If you stretch regularly but never feel looser, the restriction is often in the fascia. FST reaches what static stretching misses, and most patients notice the difference in their very first session.

After physical therapy or chiropractic

Once you have completed a course of treatment, FST helps maintain your mobility gains and keeps chronic tightness from gradually creeping back between visits.

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Your First Visit

What to Expect From Your First Appointment

Your first session is both an assessment and a treatment. Most patients feel noticeably different before they leave, and they walk out with a clear picture of what's restricting them and a straightforward path forward.

  1. Movement Assessment

    Dr. Helms asks where you feel restricted and watches how you move. This tells him which fascial lines are loaded and where to begin releasing.

  2. Assisted Stretching on the Table

    You lie fully clothed on a padded treatment table. Dr. Helms uses gentle traction and guided movement to work through the fascial lines, progressively releasing each layer. No forcing. Everything follows the natural lines of your body.

  3. Real-Time Feedback Throughout

    FST is a two-way process. Dr. Helms checks in as he works and adjusts based on what you're feeling. You guide the depth; he guides the direction.

  4. At-Home Techniques to Keep the Gains

    You leave with one or two simple movements you can do at home to maintain what was released. The work continues after you walk out the door.

Dr. Paul Helms, sports chiropractor and fascial stretch therapy provider at Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD
Dr. Paul Helms Sports Chiropractor, Bethesda MD
Your Provider

Dr. Paul Helms

Dr. Paul Helms has worked with everyone from professional NFL and NBA athletes to retirees who want to stay active and pain-free. His approach to fascial stretch therapy starts with understanding how you move: where you're restricted, what's keeping the tightness from releasing, and what's most likely to help you feel better faster.

He practices out of Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD, where FST works alongside sports chiropractic and physical therapy to address restrictions at every level. If your fascia is tight, your joints are compressed, or your movement patterns need support, he can address all of it in one place, without sending you somewhere else.

  • Doctor of Chiropractic
  • Licensed in dry needling
  • Sports physical therapy training and application
  • Certified in Active Release Technique and Fascial Stretch Therapy
  • Experience with patients ranging from weekend runners to NFL and NBA athletes
  • Located at 7625 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 219, Bethesda, MD 20814
Book With Dr. Helms
Common Questions

Fascial Stretch Therapy FAQs

Answers to the questions we hear most often, so you know exactly what to expect before you book.

How is fascial stretch therapy different from regular stretching?

Most stretching targets individual muscles in a fixed position. FST works on the fascia, the connective tissue that links muscles, joints, and organs throughout the entire body. By using traction-based movements along the natural lines of the fascial system, FST reaches layers that static stretching cannot access. The result is a more complete, longer-lasting release, especially for people whose tightness has not responded to conventional stretching.

Will fascial stretch therapy hurt?

FST should feel like a deep, satisfying release, not pain. Dr. Helms adjusts the depth and intensity of every movement based on your feedback. If something feels uncomfortable, say so and he'll adapt. Most patients describe the feeling as "good stretching" or relief, and leave noticeably looser rather than sore.

What should I wear to a session?

Comfortable, form-fitting athletic clothing works best: leggings, shorts, or yoga pants. You remain fully clothed throughout the session, but loose fabrics can make it harder for Dr. Helms to feel the fascial tension and guide movements accurately. Leave the jeans at home.

How many sessions will I need?

Many patients feel a meaningful difference after their first session. For chronic tightness that has been building for years, a series of 4 to 6 sessions over a few weeks typically delivers lasting results. Dr. Helms will give you an honest assessment at your first visit and recommend only what your body actually needs.

Is FST covered by insurance?

FST is typically not covered by standard health insurance plans. We can provide a superbill for HSA or FSA reimbursement if applicable. Call us at 301-578-5197 if you have questions about pricing or payment options before booking.

How does FST work alongside chiropractic or physical therapy?

FST complements both disciplines well. Chiropractic and physical therapy address the joints, spine, and movement patterns; FST releases the connective tissue that surrounds them. Many patients find that combining FST with chiropractic or PT gets them better results faster than either approach on its own. Because we offer all three at Helms Performance, Dr. Helms can coordinate your care in a single place.

Where are you located?

We're on the second floor of 7625 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 219, Bethesda, MD 20814, a short walk from the Bethesda Metro station. Same-week appointments are usually available. Call us at 301-578-5197 or book online.

Ready to Move the Way You Used To?

We'll help you get back to the gym, back on the trail, and back to moving through your day without that familiar stiffness. Book your first fascial stretch therapy session in Bethesda today.

Book An Appointment

Or call 301-578-5197 to speak with our team