There is a lot of research out there that proves that stretching can lengthen muscle tissue, I am not even jumping into that debate. (well, I will in an post coming up!)
What I do want to question is why are you tight in the first place? Here is a different viewpoint to the more common opinion on muscle tightness.
If there is instability around a joint, what would your nervous system want to do? Secure it down. This a natural neurological response.
All of the mechanoreceptors in the area are constantly sending back signals to the Central Nervous System (CNS) on the status of the area, if the signal goes back that there is an instability and/or weakness in the area, the CNS will orchestrate the muscular system to effectively tighten up to protect the area. So if we are getting in there and stretching or using the foam roll in the area, we are over-riding the work of the CNS - do we really want to do that?
I have been using Muscle Activation Techniques for approximately 2.5 years now and success rates have rocketed. By looking at the cause of the tightness, rather than the symptom, I have been able to achieve more consistent results across the board. MAT works by finding out what is not working, which in turn is creating the instability.
