Muscle Energy

Question 1

What is Muscle Energy?

Answer 1

• A modality of OMT
• Muscles are actively used against counterforce.
• Requires patient active cooperation – infants, mentally ill, deaf or anyone unable to follow directions (unresponsive/uncooperative) cannot do it;

Question 2

What is ME technique used mainly for (5)?

Answer 2

Decrease hypertonicity

Lengthen muscle fibers

Reduce the restraint of movement

Produce joint mobilization

Improve Respiratory and Circulatory Function

Question 3

Fred Mitchell Sr?

Answer 3

Developed Muscle Energy technique in 1940-50s’

Question 4

When was “The Muscle Energy Manual” published ?

Answer 4

1973.

First definitive muscle energy technique reference by Fred Mitchell Jr.

Question 5

Muscle energy direct or indirect?

Answer 5

Always DIRECT

Question 6

What is a direct technique?

Answer 6

A technique that moves a part of the body through a restrictive barrier.

i.e engaging the barrier

Question 7

What is isometric muscle contraction?

Answer 7

Contraction against constant resistance, distance between origin and insertion remains static

Question 8

What is an isolytic muscle contraction?

Answer 8

contraction against resistance, but force by physician overcomes pt’s force

Question 9

Purpose of isolytic contraction?

Answer 9

Lenghten muscles shortened by contracture

Question 10

What is a concentric isotonic muscle contraction?

Answer 10

Against constant force, proximal and distal ends of the muscle aproximate

Question 11

Purpose of concentric isotonic muscle contraction?

Answer 11

To increase strenght in muscles reflexively weakened by somatic dysfunction

Question 12

What is Eccentric isotonic muscle contraction?

Answer 12

Against constant force, proximal and distal ends of muscle are allowed to separate

Question 13

Purpose of eccentric isotonic contraction?

Answer 13

strenghten weakened muscle

Question 14

What are six techniques within the Muscle Energy modality?

Answer 14

Post-isometric relaxation

Joint Mobilization Using Muscular Force

Respiratory Assistance

Oculocephalogyric Reflex

Reciprocal Inhibition

Crossed Extensor Reflex

Question 15

Goal of post isometric relaxation technique?

Answer 15

muscle relaxation

Less than 10 pounds of F

Question 16

Principle of Synaptic fatigue?

Answer 16

After sustained contraction, neurotransmitter is depleted and muscle fibers can be lenghten during refractory period

Question 17

What Muscle Energy technique uses the principle of

Synaptic Fatigue

Answer 17

Post isometric relaxation

Question 18

Goal of “Joint Mobilization Using Muscle Force” technique?

Answer 18

Restore motion in joint when dysfunction of an articulation is present

Question 19

What is “Joint Mobilization Using Muscle Force” ?

Answer 19

Patient offers muscle contraction against a physician counterforce

30 to 50 pound F necessary

Question 20

What is the “Respiratory Assistance” technique?

Answer 20

Act of breating provides the force of contraction for this technique

Force given by an exagerated respiratory motion

Question 21

Goal of “Respiratory Assistance” technique?

Answer 21

Improve body physiology using patients voluntary respiratory motion

Question 22

What is “Oculocephalogyric reflex” ?

Answer 22

Functional muscle groups are contracted in response to voluntary eye motion

Question 23

Goal of “Oculocephalogyric reflex” ?

Answer 23

Muscle contraction using eye movement

Force: exceptionally gentle

Question 24

What is “Reciprocal Inhibition” technique?

Answer 24

Lenghten shortened muscle by cramp or spasm

very gentle (ounces of F)

Contraction on agonist muscle –> relaxation antagonist muscle

Question 25

Goal of “cross extensor reflex”

Answer 25

Treat dysfunction in area so severely injured that (Fx , burn) that it is

unaccesible or not manipulable

relies on Learned Cross Pattern locomotion:

Flexor contracts –> contralateral same flexor relaxes

Question 26

review

Question 27

Contraindications for

Post Isometric

techniques

Answer 27

exceptionally painful muscles

acutely injured muscles

Question 28

contraidications for

Muscel Energy

techniques

Answer 28

such debilitated patient that effort could further compromise health

i.e.

ICU patient, post-surgical period,

Question 29

Characteristics of

Long

striated muscles

Answer 29

Large motor units (more than 200)

Voluntary reflex control

Prone to weakness

Prone to spasm

Question 30

Characteristics of

Short

striated muscles

Answer 30

small motor units (less than 30)

Involuntary reflex control

Prone to tightness