Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a technique that was developed in 1948 by Fred Mitchell, Sr, D.O. It is a form of manual therapy, widely used in Osteopathy, that uses a muscle’s own energy in the form of gentle isometric contractions to relax the muscles via autogenic or reciprocal inhibition and lengthen the muscle. As compared to static stretching which is a passive technique in which the therapist does all the work, MET is an active technique in which the patient is also an active participant. MET is based on the concepts of Autogenic Inhibition and Reciprocal Inhibition. If a sub-maximal contraction of the muscle is followed by stretching of the same muscle it is known as Autogenic Inhibition MET, and if a submaximal contraction of a muscle is followed by stretching of the opposite muscle then this is known as Reciprocal Inhibition MET .
How is it done?
Muscle energy technique involves careful positioning of an area of the body by the physical therapist. After positioning, you will be asked to contract the muscle or resist a movement done by the physical therapist. This will be followed by a stretch to lengthen the same or opposite muscle group.
During the treatment session you will be asked to actively participate in facilitating and relaxing muscle groups. Under the direction of the physical therapist you will learn to lengthen shortened muscle, relieve muscle spasm and reduce tone in spastic muscles.
The expert clinician will pay special attention to correct and optimal positioning of the treating body part, hold time for the contraction, ability to sense relaxation/elongation and intensity and extent of the stretch.
In addition, muscle energy technique can help chronic muscle tightness and post surgery stiffness in joints and muscles with little pain compared to traditional mobilization and stretching techniques.