We often use muscle energy techniques (“MET”) in our clinic to help people who are in pain. What is MET and how can it help?
An MET is a physical therapy technique we use to that to reduce pain in your muscles and increase your range of motion. It involves gentle contraction and stretching of any shortened muscles, particularly where functioning is limited in that muscle, or it has become weak or dysfunctional (such as after injury or chronic pain). It can help to restore some balance.
This is supported by a systematic review of research studies[1] in the Chiropractic Manual Therapy Journal (2019), which found that METs are an effective treatment for reducing chronic and acute pain of the lower back, as well as chronic neck pain and chronic lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). This means that the techniques we use could help you if you are suffering from back or neck pain or other soft tissue injuries.
[1] The efficacy of muscle energy techniques in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects: a systematic review
Ewan Thomas 1 2, Antonio Rosario Cavallaro 2, Diba Mani 3 4, Antonino Bianco 1, Antonio Palma 1