1. Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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