How to Use Muscle Energy Technique

Muscle energy technique (MET) is used by physical therapists, massage therapists, personal trainers and osteopaths to treat joint dysfunction. Muscle energy technique is an effective and gentle way to treat any joint, including inter-vertebral joints. MET's help increase flexibility in the region worked. They help decrease joint restriction to restore the full range of motion.

Things You'll Need

• a partner
• basic knowledge of anatomy

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Instructions

• 1

  With feedback from your partner choose the area that you will work. Ideally it should be a muscle that has been tight.

• 2

  Using passive range of motion, stretch that muscle to the natural barrier.

• 3

  Now back out of the stretch a little.

• 4

  Have your partner take a deep breath in and hold it. Providing minimal resistance have you partner contract the stretched muscle by pushing against you for five seconds. If your partner needs to breathe he can, but the technique usually works better if he is holding his breath while resisting.

• 5

  Tell your partner to relax and exhale. As he exhales stretch the muscle to the barrier again. This time the muscle should stretch further than it did before.

• 6

  Repeat steps three through five four to five times.