mechanisms of how an MET works

Question 1

Effects of MET’s

Answer 1

Intention is to stimulate the mechanoreceptors, increasing the stretch of the muscle

Aims to create an isometric contraction in the muscle you are targeting

Question 2

Benefits of MET’s

Answer 2

Restoring normal tone in hypertonic muscles

Strengthening weak muscles

Preparing muscles for subsequent stretching

Increases joint mobility

Boosting local circulation

Improving musculoskeletal function

Question 3

Point of bind

Answer 3

Is not the point of stretch, is just before the point of stretch

Question 4

Reciprocal inhibition

Answer 4

RI is what happens to the antagnosist muscle during an MET

If a muscle has been pulled and is painful, for example the hamstring you can use an MET on the quadricep to create RI within the hamstring muscle

Question 5

Post isometric relation (PIR)

Answer 5

The muscle will be taken to a length just short of pain, or to the point where resistance to movement is first noted

A contraction of 10-20% of the pts full strength is performed away from the barrier for 7-10 seconds (can be more if you feel is necessary for the situation)

Pt should relax and breath in and out

There will be a refractory period of 25 seconds where you are able to move more into the new barrier
– during this period there could be 20 seconds mobilisation of the joint and then move it into its new barrier
– this should be repeated 3 times. After the 3rd time just hold it at end range for about 20 seconds

Question 6

Physiology of MET

Answer 6

The muscle spindle stretches and fires a signal that travels to the Golgi tendon organ where it takes it to the relevant spinal segment via the spinocerebellar then to the brain

Then the brain thinks the muscle can stretch further than it can and it allows it to stretch further, allowing your to take it to a new barrier