Muscle Energy Techniques In Cherry Hill
What is Muscle Energy Techniques
Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) are a type of manual therapy commonly used in physical therapy to help reduce pain, improve range of motion and restore normal functional movements. This technique involves actively contracting and relaxing the muscles in a specific manner, with the goal of reducing pain and promoting healing. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of METs, including their history, underlying principles, and techniques used in physical therapy.
The principles of Muscle Energy Techniques are based on the concept that the body has a self-regulatory mechanism that can be used to improve its overall functioning. According to this principle, by contracting and relaxing specific muscles, it’s possible to reduce pain and improve joint mobility. METs work by exploiting the reciprocal relationship between the nervous system and the muscles. When a muscle is stretched, it sends a signal to the brain through the sensory receptors in the muscle. The brain then sends a response back to the muscle, causing it to relax. By contracting and relaxing the muscle in a specific manner, it’s possible to modify the length of the muscle fibers, which in turn influences the tone and activity of the muscle.
Techniques Used in Muscle Energy Techniques in Cherry Hill
There are various Muscle Energy Techniques used in physical therapy, but they all involve the active contraction and relaxation of specific muscles. The choice of technique used will depend on the specific condition being treated and the therapist’s training and preferences. Some of the most common techniques include:
Post-isometric Relaxation (PIR): This technique involves contracting a muscle to its maximum, holding the contraction for a few seconds, and then relaxing it. The goal is to promote relaxation of the muscle by taking advantage of the inhibitory effect that the contraction has on the nervous system.
Reciprocal Inhibition: This technique involves contracting the muscle that’s opposing the muscle being treated. The goal is to take advantage of the inhibitory effect that one muscle has on the other, reducing pain and promoting relaxation of the target muscle.
Passive-Resisted Stretching: This technique involves the therapist passively stretching the muscle, while the patient actively resists the stretch. The goal is to reduce pain and promote relaxation of the muscle while improving range of motion.
Contract-Relax (CR): This technique involves contracting a muscle, followed by a passive stretch applied by the therapist. The goal is to reduce pain and promote relaxation of the muscle while improving range of motion.
Benefits of Muscle Energy Techniques in Cherry Hill
Muscle Energy Techniques have been found to be effective for reducing pain, improving range of motion and restoring normal functional movements in a range of musculoskeletal conditions. Some of the key benefits of METs include:
Pain reduction: METs have been found to be effective in reducing pain in conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. This is believed to be due to the inhibitory effect that the contractions have on the nervous system.
Improved range of motion: METs have been found to be effective in improving joint mobility, especially in conditions such as stiff joints and frozen shoulder.
Restored functional movements: METs have been found to be effective in restoring normal functional
Learn More about Muscle Energy Techniques in Cherry Hill
Discover the benefits of Muscle Energy Techniques. Schedule a consultation with us today to find out if you’re a suitable candidate for these techniques. Our experienced physical therapists will perform a thorough evaluation of your condition and determine the best course of action. For further details, reach out to us today!