Do you have muscle tightness? Have limited range of motion? Do you have back muscle pain when you reach down to pick something up? You might be a good candidate for Muscle Activation Technique (or MAT®).
MAT® is a complementary non-medical modality to physical therapy. It is similar to massage therapy and personal training. However, the focus of MAT® is to improve your range of motion. This allows you to perform physical tasks easier and better … and without pain. It is especially helpful for sports athletes like golfers, bicyclists, and runners.
If you’re experiencing muscle tightness, give MAT® a try. Schedule your free first consultation with a certified MAT® specialist at Great Moves now:
What Is Muscle Activation Technique?
MAT® or (Muscle Activation Technique®) is a specific non-medical process to assessing the muscular systems ability to contract efficiently.
MAT® (created by Greg Roskopf) is a step-by-step individualized process to find the neuromuscular inhibitions of specific joint motions. A certified MAT® Specialist is trained to identify asymmetries in the muscular system and restore the function of those muscles.
Improve Range of Motion
ROM (range of motion) determines which muscles may be inhibited. When ROM is limited and muscles are ‘tight,’ it is a sign of muscular related weakness. MAT® uses ROM to predict what muscles are potentially weak.
Over time, the muscular system creates different levels of tightness around joints. It tried to minimize the body’s risk of injury. This is called ‘compensation.’ Your body compensates to achieve motion. For example, when you squat down to pick something off the floor, you may notice a sharp pain in your back. This is an indication that the muscles or joints along the pelvis or back are tight – they are pulling down on a nerve or causing inflammation. You then feel the pain.
In reality, back pain is a symptom of compensation. But the true problem may be weak hip flexors or abdominals. The body compensated because the hip flexors are weak. Therefore, the muscles along the spine tighten down and cause pain. That tightness then reduces your ability to move efficiently.
Your solution?: Muscle Activation Techniques®.
Reduce Muscle Tightness
MAT® focuses on the problem, not the symptom. This is important in regards to any type of therapy or exercise. Think of an analogy for a minute. Let’s use a car. When the check engine light is on in your car, what do you do? Do you typically approach it by simply replacing the bulb? Or do you take it to a mechanic to lift the hood and find the problem? Pain is our ‘check engine light’ when pain is present. Don’t just slap a band-aid on your pain. Take your body to the mechanic, your MAT® specialist!
Free Initial Consultation
End your muscle tightness and soreness today. Learn what Muscle Activation Technique® can do for you. Call (719) 477-6870 to schedule your free MAT® consultation at Great Moves Physical Therapy, Colorado Springs, CO.