What is Muscle Activation Techniques?

Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) is a unique and practical approach to evaluating and treating neuromuscular imbalances that may contribute to pain or injury. It is a biomechanically-based therapy designed to correct body alignment and to improve each client’s functional capabilities by eliminating instability and positional weakness.

The premise of the MAT system is that range of motion limitations due to muscular tightness are a result of neuromuscular inhibition. MAT views muscular tightness as a form of protection in the body; that is, weak or inhibited muscles can create the need for other muscles to tighten in order to help stabilize the joints. MAT therapies increase neural input to inhibited muscles, addressing both muscle inhibition and resultant muscle tightness. This helps to restore normal body alignment and joint forces, thereby decreasing pain and reducing the risk of injury.

MAT therapists are thoroughly trained to be able to identify and alleviate positions of instability through an extensive evaluation and treatment process. Once positions of instability are identified, MAT Manual Therapy techniques, MAT Jumpstart techniques or a combination of the two are applied to restore neuroproprioceptive input to the muscular system, eradicating instability. This enables the muscular system to be able to efficiently and appropriately control joint function to facilitate pain free-movement and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis due to abnormal joint forces.

Therapists and trainers across the nation are currently providing MAT Manual Therapy and MAT Jumpstart techniques to clients and patients of all levels. The techniques have been used in conjunction with other disciplines such as physical therapy and chiropractics to promote quicker recovery. Strength and conditioning specialists in high-level sports settings including the NFL, NBA and collegiate sports programs have used MAT to enhance athlete performance. However, the most common application is restoring biomechanical function to ordinary people with aches and pains generally associated with overuse or aging.

For more information on MAT therapies or treatments contact Joe DeAntonis, MAT Certified Specialist, at M.A.C. Fitness.