In the range of physiotherapy practices, you may sometimes come across the term 'TEM' or 'MET', which is unfamiliar to many people. This refers to muscle energy techniques (derived from Muscle Energy Technique), a specific way of working with soft tissues and joints to help improve muscle function and act as an analgesic. It is a collection of extremely versatile and effective working methods, recommended for professional athletes and anyone who wants to take care of properly relaxed muscles.
A healthy supplement to sports training
Muscle Energy Technique is a collection of various methods that have been widely used for many years both in osteopathy, chiropractic, physiotherapy and incorporated into sports training. The techniques are based on the knowledge and experience of osteopathic specialists, which have been combined with the practice of therapeutic manual techniques. MET thus draws on the theory of isomeric tension and focuses on stretching specific areas causing pain. The aim of the training is to reduce tonus, or muscle tension. It is worth noting that muscle energy techniques are characterised by the fact that they require the active participation of the patient to achieve the desired results.
Muscle energy techniques - what is worth knowing?
The qualified physiotherapist, by exerting the appropriate resistance in place, prevents movement in the joint, triggering a number of reflex mechanisms. In this way, tension within one or even a group of muscles can be reduced. Another positive effect of the technique used is to increase the tolerance of the part in question to stretching, which makes further training very easy. This type of treatment is mainly associated with PIR, or post-isomeric relaxation. Another variation of TEM is reciprocal inhibition (also known as reciprocal inhibition or reciprocal inhibition). The specialist tightens the isomeric muscles, causing the antagonistic muscles to inhibit. In this way, immediately after the compression, the patient experiences less tension. This technique takes advantage of natural physiological conditions, restoring a greater range of muscle movement.
How to effectively reduce muscle tension?
Muscle energy techniques use active muscle work on the part of the patient or physiotherapist, who exerts resistance or supports the person's efforts. Depending on the individual's needs, the degree of tissue tension, their location and the substrate of pain, a number of solutions can be used such as:
- use of force adapted to the patient's exertion - the physiotherapist must be in constant contact with the patient, adapting the thrust to the isomeric tension capacity. This is extremely important, as correct sensing enables a physiological neurological response to be elicited and true relaxation to occur;
- the application of force that exceeds the patient's effort and capacity - in this case, isotonic eccentric tension or isolytic tension is induced by rapid movement;
- resistance to the patient's effort, slowing down muscle movements.
The use of TEM is very effective and has a high success rate in combating pain of various origins. For training to be as effective as possible, it is advisable to practise regularly with an experienced physiotherapist.
