Muscle Energy Technique

Muscle Energy technique is an osteopathic manual medicine procedure. It provides the practitioner with an accurate diagnosis of restrictions in joint motion and provides a very gentle but precise method of treatment. Muscle Energy technique works via the neurological system to reset the resting length of muscles. As muscles are responsible for movement at joints, adverse tension in a muscle can produce a detrimental change in the biomechanical function of that articulation. By eliciting a voluntary contraction of the target muscle (in a precisely controlled direction) against a counter force, the true biomechanics at that joint can be reestablished. Once the target structure has been placed in a very specific position, the contraction is achieved by the patient pushing a limb gently against the hand of the therapist.

Muscle Energy has many clinical uses. It can be used to

• lengthen a shortened, or tight muscle, or group of muscles
• reduce swelling by promoting the lymphatic and venous systems
• mobilize a stiff joint or an articulation with restricted mobility

Karen primarily uses this technique to treat neck, back and pelvic biomechanical dysfunction. Lower back and leg pain is often misdiagnosed as lumbar disc herniation. If this is not confirmed by MRI, pelvic dysfunction may be the underlying cause of the pain and can be treated using this technique. It can be used alone or in conjunction with acupuncture to achieve a more profound effect on the area.