Muscle Energy Flashcards
Muscle energy founder
Fred Mitchell (muscle energy technique)
what is muscle energy
patient muscles are actively used on request, from a precisely controlled position, in a specific direction, against a distinctly executed physician counterforce
ACTIVE & DIRECT
eccentric contraction
muscle tension allows origin & insertion to separate, lengthens the muscle
concentric contraction
contraction of muscle resulting in approx of origin/insertion to shorten muscle
isotonic contraction
can be eccentric/concentric
against steady weight but yielding counterforce, allows constant tone
describe a bicep curl
curl up is isotonic concentric (shorten w/ constant weight)
curl down is isotonic eccentric (lengthen w/ constant weight)
isokinetic contraction
concentric contraction where joint motion is @ constant rate/speed (different weight or resistance)
how is stationary bike isokinetic?
keeping same RPMs while changing the resistance
isometric contraction
distance between origin & insertion of muscle is maintained @ constant rate
how is a wall squat isometric?
constant weight & rate b/c no movement along wall
isolytic contraction
type of eccentric contraction where muscle’s concentric contraction is overpowered by a stronger counterforce, leads to lengthening of muscle
describe example of isolytic contraction
person has bicep flexed, physician adds force to pull arm away from body towards table
post isometric relaxation
goal is muscle relaxation
passive stretch after isometric contraction
physician moves patient into restrictive barrier, patient contracts away from barrier while physician resists contraction toward barrier
reciprocal inhibition
goal to lengthen muscle that is shortened by cramp or acute spasm
w/ gentle contraction in agonist muscle, there is reflexive relaxation of that muscle’s antagonistic group
cramping hamstring (agonist) w/ contraction of quad (antagonist)
crossed extensor reflex
goal is use in extremities where muscle that needs treatment is in area severely injured that it cannot be manipulated/accessed
form of muscle energy technique uses cross pattern locomotion reflexes in CNS
flexor muscle in 1 extremity is contracted voluntarily, flexor muscle in contra-lateral extremity relaxes & extensor contracts
reciprocal inhibition v crossed extensor reflex
reciprocal is ipsilateral (same side)
crossed extensor is contralateral (opp side)
oculocephalogyric reflex
goal to affect reflex muscle contractions using eye motion
eye movements reflexively affect cervical & truncal musculature as body attempts to follow lead provided by eye motion
respiratory assistance
improve body physiology w/ patient’s voluntary respiratory motions
muscular forces generated just by breathing
used for sacral dysfunction (exaggerated respiratory motions)
isolytic lengthening
lengthen a muscle shortened by contracture & fibrosis
contracture of bicep (max contraction that can be resisted by physician)
isokinetic strengthening
goal to re-establish normal tone & strength in muscle weakened by reflex hyper-tonicity of opposing muscle group
asymmetry in ROM, asymmetry in muscle strength
use isokinetic contraction so length change occurs @ constant velocity (muscle can shorten but @ slow rate)
joint mobilization using muscle force
goal to restore joint motion in articular dysfunction
hypertonic muscles across joint can cause thinning of synovial fluid/adherence of joint surfaces
example of anterior rotated pelvis
to treat somatic dysfunction…
use muscle force to move 1 region of body to achieve movement of another bone or region
muscular force used to move 1st structure & that body part’s response to the muscle force transmitted to another part of the body
sustained, gentle pressure
Indications of muscle energy
balance muscle tone
strengthen reflexively weakened vasculature
improve symmetry of articular motion
enhance circulation of body fluids
lengthen a shortened, contracted, or spastic muscle group
Factors that impact success of muscle energy
contract too hard contract in wrong direction sustain contraction do not relax following contraction not giving correct instructions move to new joint position too soon
Contraindications of muscle energy
local fracture local dislocation instability of cervical spine neuro symptoms/signs in neck low vitality situations when more muscle activity worsens can't follow verbal commands
Articulatory Approach
springing techniques
low velocity/high amplitude (slow movement/long distance)
passive & direct
When to use articulatory approach
arthritic patients elderly or frail critically ill or post op patients young/infantile patients patients who unable to coop w/ instructions
Articulation Technique
patient is comfortable & relaxed
do not exceed anatomic barrier
w/ response to technique, restrictive barrier will shift position w/ in physiological range of motion
Contraindications of Articulatory Technique
vertebral artery compromise (relative)
absolute: local fracture/dislocation neuro syndromes serious vascular compromise local malignancy/infection bleeding disorders
what is common between MET & ART
direct techniques, alleviate somatic dysfunction
what is different between MET & ART
MET-patient muscle contract 3-5 times & need patient coop (active)
ART-repetitive physician directed motions & need patient relaxation (passive)
