Muscle Energy Technique
Learn How to Massage

I use muscle energy technique (MET) in my practice quite a lot. It's an affective way to stretch hypertonic muscles and ease pain. They are used by athletes to decrease the risk of muscle injury and can be used on people who are experiencing pain and stiffness in muscles. It's also effective in treating headaches.

MET can be used to lenghten shortened muscles and increase muscle strenght. It can also improve tendon strenght and stability. It can help increase the range of motion in any joint.

Muscle energy technique was developed by Dr. Fred Mitchell, an osteopathic physician. The techniques uses reciprocal inhibition to lenghten muscles. This is the idea that when the muscle on one side of the joint contracts, the muscle on the other side of the joint relaxes.

To perform an MET, you must first determine which joint needs to be treated. To stretch the area have the person flex the joint and resist again pressure provided by your hand for a few seconds. Allow the person to relax, then flex again against your resistance. Repeat this about three times. Then have the person take a deep breath in and on the exhale stretch the muscle of the joint to the barrier. Repeat this sequence on the same joint several times. Each time you do, the muscle will stretch further on the final stretch.

Here's a video example of MET.

If you want to learn more massage strokes, check out my massage techniques page. If you are interested in more detailed instruction in massage try these Online Massage Video Lessons.