Not just cracks! Muscle energy techniques
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) are a way to stretch muscles using the patients own force. It’s a quicker and more effective way to stretch and can be done with the help of a manual therapist, friend or even inanimate object! The specific MET technique I tend to use the most at Gillingham Chiropractic Clinic is Post Isometric Release (PIR).
What is it?
For those of you that have seen me before you might have had this technique used on your neck or legs (it can be used elsewhere but these are the areas I ustilise the technique for the most!). I begin by passively stretching the muscle group that I want to target. I then ask you to push into my hands or body - I may ask you to use 20% of your maximum force, or I may simply ask you to push and then advise you on whether less or more force is needed. After about 10 seconds I ask you to relax, and I will stretch the muscle further. This process is usually repeated about 3 or 4 times.
You will find that it allows you to move further a lot quicker than normal stretching - people are often surprised with how far they can actually move!
How does it work?
Essentially, the technique triggers a reflex which causes the muscle to relax.
After an isometric contraction (muscle contraction where the joint position doesn’t move: e.g. carrying something in front of you, your muscles are contracting under the weight of the object but your arms are staying still) there is a small latency period where the muscle tone reduces which allows you to stretch the muscle to a new end range.