What is Muscle Energy Technique?
Muscle energy technique is a form of manual therapy in which muscles’ own energy is used to induce relaxation and promote pain relief. This technique is especially useful when the cause of pain and stiffness is muscles.
Once in spasm, the muscle fibers are held in a state of constant contraction limiting the range and causing pain. Muscle energy techniques involve the therapist to assist the muscles to relax and lengthen consecutively to promote an optimal level of healing.
How does it work?
Muscle energy technique achieves pain relief and relaxation in muscles through the activation of the golgi tendon. The golgi tendon organ is a specialized structure in the muscle that detects changes in muscle tension and length. By controlling the activation of the golgi tendon organ, our Etobicoke physiotherapist will induce relaxation in the muscles, relieving the muscle spasm.
How is it done?
Muscle energy technique involves careful positioning of an area of the body by the therapist. After positioning, you will be asked to contract the muscle or resist a movement done. The therapist will immediately follow up with a stretch to lengthen the same or opposite muscle group.
During the treatment session, you will be asked to actively participate in contracting and relaxing specific muscle groups. Under the direction of the therapist, you will learn to lengthen the shortened muscle, relieve muscle spasms and reduce tone in spastic muscles.
The clinician will pay special attention to the correct and optimal positioning of the treating body part, how long each contraction is held, and provide the correct intensity of the stretch.
Muscle energy technique is highly effective to help chronic muscle tightness and post-surgery stiffness in joints and muscles. It is minimally painful when compared to traditional mobilization and stretching techniques.
Muscle energy techniques can be applied safely to almost any joint in the body. Many use muscle energy technique as a preventative measure to guard against future injury of muscles and joints or to treat chronic muscle pain, stiffness, or injury. It is mainly used by individuals who have limited ROM due to facet joint dysfunction in the neck and back, as well as shoulder, scoliosis, sciatica, asymmetrical leg length, hips/pelvis, or arms.
Would you like to know more about muscle energy techniques? Make a request from Physio In The Six Inc. today and we will schedule an appointment and assess whether or not you’re a good candidate for muscle energy techniques. Our skilled physiotherapists will do a full assessment of your condition and needs.
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