Muscle Energy Technique
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Description
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Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy technique which uses a muscle’s own energy in the form of gentle isometric contractions to relax the muscles via autogenic or reciprocal inhibition, and lengthen the muscle.
As compared to static stretching which is a passive technique in which therapist does all the work, MET it is an active technique in which patient is also an active participant. MET is based on the concepts of Autogenic Inhibition and Reciprocal Inhibition. If a sub-maximal contraction of the muscle is followed by stretching of the same muscle it is known as Autogenic Inhibition MET, and if a submaximal contraction of a muscle is followed by stretching of the opposite muscle than this is known as Reciprocal Inhibition MET [1]
Types of MET[1]
- Autogenic Inhibition MET a. Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR)[2] b.Post Facilitation Stretching (PFS)[3]
- Reciprocal Inhibition MET
Autogenic Inhibition MET
As already mentioned Autogenic Inhibition METs work on the principle of autogenic inhibition. The two major and well known types of MET that are based on the concept of autogenic inhibition are Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR)[2] and Post facilitation Stretching (PFS)[3].
Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR)
Post Isometric Relaxation is a technique developed by Karel Lewitt[2], Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) is the effect of the decrease in muscle tone in a single or group of muscles, after a brief period of submaximalisometric contraction of the same muscle[1]. PIR works on the concept of autogenic inhibition.
The PIR technique is performed as follows[1]:
1. The hypertonic muscle is taken to a length just short of pain, or to the point where resistance to movement is first noted
2. A submaximal (10-20%) contraction of the hypertonic muscle is performed away from the barrier for between 5 and 10 seconds and the therapist applies resistance in the opposite direction . The patient should inhale during this effort.
5. After the isometric contraction the patient is asked to relax and exhale while doing so.Following this a gentle stretch is applied to take up the slack till the new barrier.
6. Starting from this new barrier, the procedure is repeated two or three times.
Indication
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Muscle Energy Techniques can be used for any condition in which the goal is to cause relaxation and lengthening of the muscles and improve joint range of motion (ROM). Muscle energy techniques can be applied safely to almost any joint in the body. Many athletes use MET as a preventative measure to guard against future muscle and joint injury. It is mainly used by individuals who have a limited range of motion due to facet joint dysfunction in the neck and back, and for broader areas such as; shoulder pain, scoliosis, sciatica, unsymmetrical legs, hips or arms (for example when one is longer or higher then the other), or to treat chronic muscle pain, stiffness or injury[4].
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References[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chaitow L, Crenshaw K. Muscle energy techniques. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2006.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lewit K, Simons DG. Myofascial pain: relief by post-isometric relaxation. Archives of Physical medicine and rehabilitation. 1984 Aug;65(8):452-6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Janda, V. 1988. Muscles and Cervicogenic Pain Syndromes. In Physical Therapy of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine, ed. R. Grand. New York: Churchill Livingstone.
- ↑ https://leggehealth.ca/portfolio-item/muscle-energy-technique-met/
