Muscle Energy Technique
What is the Muscle Energy Technique?
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a gentle, hands-on manual therapy technique used by many therapists, including Manual Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, and Athletic Therapists.
MET involves the active participation of the client and utilizes a gentle muscle contraction, often while in a specific position, for several seconds against the therapist’s resistance. The contraction is then followed by a gentle stretch or joint mobilization to reduce tension and improve joint alignment and mobility.
How does MET work?
- Post-isometric relaxation: After an isometric contraction, your brain tells the tight muscle to relax and lengthen for a few seconds. Therapists use this brief opportunity to gently lengthen a muscle or improve joint mobility.
- Reciprocal inhibition: When you flex a muscle, the opposing muscle, called the antagonist, must relax. For example, if you contract your bicep, the muscle that does the opposite action – the triceps – relaxes.
Can the Muscle Energy Technique benefit you?
At Pure Motion Centre in North York, therapists incorporate MET into their treatments to help a wide variety of conditions, including tight and painful muscles, lower back and neck pain, joint pain and stiffness, as well as to correct postural imbalances and improve movement patterns.
Our amazing and experienced team will put their heads and their hearts together to optimize your movement and guide you through a seamless recovery process.
