Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)

Basic Concepts Using the intrinsic power of muscles to achieve a variety of effects, involving isometric and isotonic contractions 2 fundamental neurophysiological principles Postcontraction Inhibition After a muscle is contracted, automatically goes into a relaxed state for a brief period Reciprical Inhibition When one muscle is contracted, its antagonist is automatically inhibited

Basic Concepts Patients contractions in conjunction with therapists effort result in: Isometric contraction Therapist Force applied = Patient Force applied Isotonic Eccentric contraction Therapist Force applied > Patient Force applied Isotonic Concentric contraction Therapist Force applied < Patient Force applied

Basic Concepts Operator – Direct Method Operator – Indirect Method Patient contracts agonist muscle Chronic conditions Operator – Indirect Method Patient contracts atagonist muscle Acute conditions

Variations of MET Lewit’s Post-isometric Relaxation Hypertonic muscle is taken to a length short of pain / resistance Patient contracts (10-25%) muscle for 5 – 10 seconds while therapist supplies equal force Patient relaxes and muscle is taken to new range of motion Starting from gained ROM, repeated 2-3 times

Janda’s Post-facilitation Stretch Affected muscle is placed in a midrange position Patient contracts (90-100%) for 5 – 10 seconds Rapid stretch to new ROM and hold for 10 seconds Relax for 20 seconds and repeated 3 – 5 times Sensations of warmth and weakness may be experienced for a short time with this method

Reciprocal Inhibition Method Affected muscle is placed in mid-range Patient contracts isometrically or isotonically for 5 – 10 seconds Muscle is passively lengthened Repeated 2 – 3 times