The microStretching® Theory and Foundations (Online Live Course) has been constructed for certified athletic trainers and other credentialed health care professions in an effort to create common knowledge across these disciplines. The goal of this course is to introduce another hands-on therapeutic tool aiding in the recovery/regeneration, and pain management of athletes or patients with the use of low intensity stretching (microStretching®). The Virtual Course explores the history and development of microStretching®.  In addition, participants will be introduced to the key foundations and research behind microStretching®, its effect on muscle soreness, isometric and eccentric peak torque, biomarkers of inflammation (or the relationship of stretching and inflammation), and tissue oxygenation, just to name a few. Furthermore, participants will be able to critically analyze “Why” microStretching can be an effective form of treatment based on applied anatomy and physiology. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to differentiate microStretching® from traditional stretching, evaluate the benefits of this therapeutic technique for acute pain, inflammation, sleep, as well as compare and contrast the effects of high-intensity versus low-intensity stretching. To enhance interaction and application of the microstretching online course, a portion of the course will be dedicated to participants performing basic self micro-stretches of the lower body. The Theory and Foundations course is a prerequisite for the Level 1 Course.

• Compare and contrast the differences between microStretching and conventional stretching
• Analyze the relationship of stretch intensity to the inflammatory response
• Determine the effects of high intensity stretching with low intensity stretching.
• Demonstrate an understanding of tensile strengths of connective tissues (muscle, tendon);
• Demonstrate an understanding between scar tissue and normal tissue.
• Recall the parameters of microStretching
• Compare and contrast stretch positions of microStretching to traditional stretches.
• Evaluate the benefits of microStretching for acute pain and inflammation.
• Identify the components of a compensational shift.
• Compare and contrast stretch positions of microStretching to traditional stretches.
• List the different brain waves associated with sleep.

• Limited to Credentialed Health Care Professionals only.

Nikos C. Apostolopoulos PhD, MPhil, BPHE (Sports Medicine)

Nikos C. Apostolopoulos PhD, MPhil, BPHE (Sports Medicine), is the founder of microStretching® and Stretch Therapy®. He is the Director of the microStretching® Clinic, the first in the world to pioneer the development of therapeutic and performance enhancement microStretching®. This recovery and regeneration technique, based on functional-clinical anatomy has been used to treat many professional, elite, amateur athletes, as well as individuals suffering from various musculoskeletal disorders.

Nikos was awarded both his PhD (Muscle Physiology and inflammation) and his MPhil from University of Wolverhampton (UK) and his BPHE (Sports Medicine) from the University of Toronto (CAN). He is currently an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto as well as a member of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and the International Society of Exercise and Immunology (ISEI). He has lectured and worked internationally as a consultant and therapist to various sports organizations and federations.

Michael S. Chemello, ATC, ITAT, BSc in Athletic Training (B.S.A.T)

Michael Chemello graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. He is a certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) by the board of certification (BOC). BOC Certified Athletic Trainers are educated, trained, and evaluated in five practice domains. Injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion, examination, assessment and diagnosis, Immediate and emergency care, therapeutic intervention and health care administration and professional responsibility. He was selected as a Florida-Canada Linkage award recipient and obtained many academic and athletic accomplishments. Prior to his education at Florida Gulf Coast University he graduated from Humber College with a Diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion. Michael’s background in athletics and health goes beyond his post-secondary education. He grew up playing hockey in the Greater Toronto Hockey League and continued to play collegiately (ACHA) and minor professionally in Germany and the United States. Currently he is preparing for the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association (CATA) exam.

Tom Ramanauskas BPHE, BEd

Tom Ramanauskas brings a wealth of pedagogical knowledge to the team. Being an educator for many years, he is able to best articulate the concepts and principles of microStretching®. Tom has been working with Nikos since the inception of microStretching® (1995), in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He completed his bachelors of Physical and Health Education (BPHE), University of Toronto (1987), and Bachelor of Education, Nipissing University (1995). As both an educator and a coach, Tom continues to provide a fresh outlook and ideas applicability of microStretching® to various sporting endeavors

• Complete both Step 1 (Form) and Step 2 (Payment) to register for the course. For group registration rates contact microstretchingcourses@gmail.com.  
• Cancellations made 7 days or more in advance of the event date, will receive a 100% refund. Participants will need to contact provider via phone or email with a request for refund (refer below):
•  Telephone #: (647) 962 8780
•  Email: microstretchingcourses@gmail.com

A course completion certificate will be sent within 14 days from the course completion.