Muscle energy techniques are used to treat people suffering from back pain, stiffness and limited range of motion. Based on reciprocal inhibition, muscle energy techniques work when one muscle contracts while the opposite one relaxes simultaneously.
Therapists use muscle positioning tailored specifically to its dysfunction, then harness its energy for gentle isometric contractions against resistance in order to lengthen muscles and relieve pain. This approach allows lengthening while also relieving strain.
MET is based on reciprocal inhibition
MET is a manual therapy technique in which a patient performs muscle contraction against resistance from a physical therapist to stretch and improve range of motion, stretch muscles and prevent injury to any joint in their bodies. Athletes also utilize this approach for injury prevention purposes and it has also proven successful at relieving neck and low back pain by effectively decreasing intensity and frequency of symptoms associated with myofascial pain syndrome and chronic fibromyalgia – making MET an alternative therapy treatment approach.
Reciprocal inhibition MET works by simultaneously activating and inactivating antagonist muscles. This occurs because an agonist muscle is stimulated by the stretch reflex of the musculoskeletal system; when its muscle spindle triggers nerve impulses that transfer across to its antagonist counterpart. A therapist can then stretch out an agonist muscle in order to relax its counterpart.
MET works by stimulating mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors of involved muscles, increasing threshold stretching levels for deeper stretching than would otherwise be possible, making MET an excellent treatment option for neck pain patients. A recent study compared two forms of MET on cervical pain, range of motion (ROM), functional activities among people suffering neck pain. Participants were divided into two groups with autogenic inhibition MET and conventional therapy being provided, and group 2 receiving reciprocal inhibition MET; researchers discovered that reciprocal inhibition MET proved more successful at improving cervical pain/ROM improvement than autogenic inhibition MET.
Participants in the study completed a series of exercises that involved stretching and contracting their affected muscle for five seconds each, then rating their pain on a scale from 0-10cm. Their therapist then administered several physical activity therapy sessions comprising these steps:
This technique utilizes post-isometric relaxation and reciprocal inhibition to both increase skeletal muscle flexibility and reduce pain. Although its precise mechanism remains unknown, experts speculate that it affects hypoalgesia while also altering proprioceptive signaling, motor programming and control of spinal muscles. Furthermore, it could cause changes to muscle extensibility as well as volume changes in the tissue.
MET is a non-invasive treatment
Muscle energy technique (MET) is a non-invasive, painless treatment which utilizes the patient’s own strength to restore normal muscle length. A trained therapist uses small contractions and gentle stretching movements to release tension and relieve any associated pain in muscles.
Met is an effective therapy for low back pain when combined with other therapies. Although its exact mechanisms remain elusive, some speculate they include reciprocal inhibition and muscle post-isometric relaxation. Furthermore, MET helps reduce local oedema while increasing circulation to help decrease tissue swelling; furthermore it improves range of motion in muscles and joints.
MET is an effective option for those who cannot undergo more invasive therapies, providing safe and effective care that can be administered both in clinic and at home. Furthermore, its use can benefit people of any age or fitness level; though understanding your energy requirements when exercising will help optimize MET’s benefits.
MET is founded on the idea that muscles under strain sap our energy resources, with isometric muscle contraction being particularly draining to resources. This theory draws from principles of muscle physiology which includes four forms of contractions: isometric, eccentric, concentric. Isometric contraction occurs when its origin and insertion don’t come close together and represents one key part of its mechanism.
Therapists use this treatment modality to treat various medical problems, including muscle injuries, joint dysfunction and pain. While manual therapists have used MET with great success to reduce pain levels faster and return patients back to full function more quickly. Its popularity makes MET an invaluable resource in manual therapy practice. However, knowing how best to employ this modality will yield optimal results and achieve positive outcomes for their clients.
Studies have demonstrated that manipulative treatment (MET) may reduce symptoms in those suffering from LBP, although its impact is often small and inconsistent. Many of these studies were too small to detect a significant difference and had poor methodological quality; more research must be conducted in order to establish its efficacy.
MET is safe
MET is a standard unit of energy expenditure used to estimate how much work your body does during an activity, measured in calories burned through oxygen consumption. Personal trainers and doctors commonly utilize it as a measurement to compare various activities; for instance, an individual weighing 60 kg performing one minute walk at 2 METs will burn six times more calories than sitting still compared with sitting still based on Adult Compendium of Physical Activities scale determination of intensity of activities.
At a Muscle Energy Technique (MET) session, your therapist will apply isometric contraction – similar to static muscle stretching – on any targeted muscle group that you contract against him/her. This approach is safe for almost every joint or muscle group and can be used for virtually any condition requiring relaxation, lengthening and improving range of motion in joints – such as shoulder pain, scoliosis sciatica chronic muscle tightness/injury etc.
MET can also aid sleep quality, according to research published in the British Medical Journal. In particular, patients taking an acetaminophen supplement containing MET experienced significantly fewer episodes of insomnia compared to those not taking this medication and was associated with higher GABA levels – an inhibitory neurotransmitter – levels. These results demonstrate how MET may be an effective tool in treating insomnia as well as decreasing benzodiazepine use among older adults.
MET is effective
Muscle energy techniques can be used to relax and lengthen muscles and joints. They’re often effective for treating tightness, chronic joint stiffness, low back pain due to scoliosis or sciatica as well as shoulder or hip pain. Furthermore, the treatment relies on reciprocal inhibition — the principle whereby Golgi tendon organ and muscle spindles inhibit other muscle contractions allowing muscles to lengthen while reseting default settings and reset default defaults — making this approach an excellent alternative to static stretching or Kinesiology taping.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of manual exertion therapy (MET) on pelvic alignment, lower leg deficit (LLD), and pain symptoms for people suffering non-specific LBP. Unfortunately, many of these studies were small with high risk of bias; thus large, rigorously designed clinical trials must be conducted to ascertain whether MET stands alone as an effective therapy or enhances other treatments’ efficacy.
This randomized controlled trial used a randomized controlled trial design to investigate the effects of MET on LLD, pain, and fatigue among CLBP patients. Researchers measured demographic characteristics before administering one session of MET treatment to each participant. They compared pre- and post-treatment measurements such as pelvic alignment, LLD, muscle fatigue as well as pre and post treatment measurements of pelvic alignment. Their research team consisted of physical therapists with more than four years of clinical experience working blinded conditions during this research process.
Results of the study demonstrate that MET can effectively decrease LLD, pain and fatigue for CLBP patients due to its ability to ameliorate compensatory activities triggered by pelvic misalignment and LLD, thus decreasing energy required for posture maintenance and performance thereby decreasing fatigue levels.
MET is performed when the physical therapist guides their patient directly to an area of restricted or painful joints and asks them to contract the muscles surrounding that area – this allows the therapist to guide their client into an ideal position more easily. MET can either be performed passively, or the physical therapist may use thrust manipulation.
