What are muscle energy techniques?
Muscle energy techniques (METs) are common osteopathic manipulative treatments used by doctors of osteopathic medicine. Like DOs, PTs are also trained to use muscle energy techniques to treat musculoskeletal conditions.
These hands-on treatments use the energy of your muscle to gently contract, relax and lengthen it. Your doctor applies a bit of force in the opposite direction as you move your muscle into a certain position. Holding that position, you’ll contract the muscle a number of times until it naturally releases energy and relaxes.
Muscle energy techniques are a type of manual therapy used by physical therapists for joint mobilization, muscle re-education and relaxation.
Why do I need METs?
METs are helpful when you’re experiencing any type of dysfunction or tightness in your muscles or joints. You may be suffering from muscle spasms — some so severe that they lock your joint in an abnormal position. Muscle energy techniques can be safely used on almost any part of the body, especially in cases of:
- Facet joint dysfunction in the neck or back
- Shoulder pain
- Scoliosis
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica
- Asymmetrical legs, hips or arms
- Chronic muscle or joint pain
- Joint stiffness
- Overuse injuries
- Muscle strains
Muscle energy techniques are also widely used for injury prevention — both by athletes guarding against muscle and joint injuries and PTs helping patients avoid recurring injuries.
How does the muscle energy technique work?
The idea behind muscle energy is that a tight muscle or joint not used to its full range of motion loses function and is at a greater risk of injury. So METs are used any time the goal of physical therapy is to restore range of motion in a joint or relax and lengthen a tight, short muscle.
Muscle energy techniques work similarly to joint mobilization techniques. But instead of forceful push, pull or twist, your PT applies gentle pressure as you move your own joint into the desired position. After contracting the muscle, you may also need to gently stretch to lengthen it as much as you can.
All of this encourages the muscle to relax and the joint to release. You may also feel an overall sense of relief and relaxation as the tension releases from your body.
What’s the outcome of muscle energy?
The release and relaxation of your muscles and joints bring a number of benefits. METs help to:
- Restore normal joint function and mechanics
- Increase range of motion
- Rebalance asymmetrical or misaligned joints
- Relieve pain
- Decrease muscle and joint stiffness
- Resolve muscle cramps and spasms
- Stretch and lengthen short, tight muscles and fascia
- Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
- Repair neuromuscular movement patterns
After receiving muscle energy treatments, you may be able to resume normal activities. However, the affected muscles and joints are weak and you’ll need targeted strengthening exercises for a full return to health and to prevent a recurrence of your symptoms.