Muscle Energy Technique

Muscle Energy Technique:

               Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a manual therapy technique that uses the gentle muscle contractions  by isometric contractions (only 20% of force) of the patient to relax and lengthen muscles by use of muscle stretching and normalize joint motion. In olden days for stretching muscles we used to do passive stretching exercises only, then it became change into active or self stretching. Now the stretching modified or developed as well in the name of Muscle energy technique.

             

                It is defined as“ Muscle Energy Technique is a direct manipulative procedure that uses a voluntary contraction of the patient’s muscles against a distinctly controlled counter-force from a precise position and in a specific direction”. 

                  MET is often applied to patients who suffer from muscle spasms to relax their muscles. The process of lengthening shortened or spastic muscles, to improve weakened ligament and muscle strength, will directly improve range of motion. This procedure is performed when a patient is asked to contract a muscle for approximately 5-seconds against the resistant force applied by the physiotherapist (around 20% of patient's power) . The muscle contraction is performed by the client 3 to 5 times in a row in the hopes to stretch the muscle further each time.

                  Muscle Energy Technique is derived from the theory that if a joint is not used to its full range of motion, its function will lessen and it will be at risk of suffering strains and injuries. This form of physiotherapy makes use of a patient’s own muscle energy (the force); while the physio therapist presents a stationary surface (resistance) the patient will contract their muscle against in order to stretch the muscle and joint to its full potential.

Indications of MET:

                   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.

There are two types of MET:

• Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) The therapist stretches and lengthens a muscle as it relaxes right after a client contraction. This lengthens, relaxes and realigns the muscle fibers. This is useful with chronic conditions to assist in resetting the muscle tone.
  
• Reciprocal Inhibition (RI) It is a law of body dynamics that when you contract a muscle the opposing or reciprocal muscle must relax.  The physiotherapist has the patient’s muscle perform a contraction against resistance which relaxes the opposing muscle and minimizes the aggravation to the injured muscle and soft tissue.