Retrain Your Movements with Muscle Activation Techniques!
Have you been struggling to figure out why your hips seem tight? Have you noticed that ever since you hurt your shoulder moving, it feels “off?” You may need help retraining your movements with muscle activation techniques.
At Fitness Matters, our specialists are highly trained movement experts. We take a holistic approach to feeling better to make sure you understand how your nervous system and musculoskeletal system work together to coordinate and organize your movements. We will select the ideal technique for resolving pain and restoring function through careful observation.
Our comprehensive analyses provide vital insights and a clear framework for developing targeted exercises for your individual needs. Whether you are struggling with an issue affecting your lower extremities, trunk, or upper extremities, we have the strategies that work!
At Fitness Matters in Worthington, our specialist is here to help you recover from injury and/or improve function to get back to doing what you love without limits!
Request an appointment with Andrew O’Neil today!
How Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) affects movement
Our bodies are amazing systems working together in a coordinated and controlled way. The musculoskeletal system (i.e muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, and nerves) requires interaction at a minor level to allow us to move in everyday life and especially with sports and recreation.
Injury and subsequent inflammation can impair our body’s natural functioning. Stress, trauma, and overuse can alter the communication between our nerves and our muscles. This altered communication often leads to weaknesses and changes in our mobility. When muscles lose their ability to contract efficiently, they can no longer provide the movement and joint stabilization we depend on for pain-free function.
In MAT, when the activation of a muscle is impaired, we often describe it as a muscle that is “inhibited.” A muscle that is inhibited will often feel tight or tense. Over time, impaired muscle activation can lead to dysfunctional movement patterns and even lead to injuries.
For example, an inhibited hip muscle often leads to improper movement/control of the thigh bone (femur), which affects the knee’s normal function. If left untreated, the body will eventually lead to pain and, for some, inflammation.
Conditions that have been associated with impaired muscle activation include (but are not limited to):
- Neck pain
- Impingement of the shoulder
- Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
- Lower back pain
- IT band syndrome
- Patellofemoral knee pain (i.e., runners’ knee)
- Shin splints
In addition, impairments in muscle activation can impact movements like squatting, climbing stairs, bending, walking, and running. Research has shown that altered movement patterns due to improper or inadequate muscle activation often lead to pain with these activities.
Choosing an exercise program to target weaknesses/impairments requires understanding what muscles are most active depending on what movement is being performed. For example, gluteus maximus muscles are activated differently with front squats (holding weight in the front aspect of the body) compared to back squats, and choosing the ideal movement can help patients get over an obstacle and/or recover at a faster rate.
Our specialists will also modify exercises by changing your positions to activate the muscles more effectively. For example, performing a bridge movement on one foot causes an increase in activation of the muscles needed to complete the exercise.
Depending on the impairments and weaknesses, our specialists can tweak your exercise and provide cues verbally or physically to help your body figure out how to perform the movement properly. No matter where your limitations are, we have the tools to help you.
At Fitness Matters, our specialists understand how altered movement patterns cause pain and/or injury. We are skilled at identifying the impairments and, more importantly, how to properly activate these muscles to ensure recovery and return of your function!
How Muscle Activation Techniques can help you activate your muscles
Our thorough evaluations at Fitness Matters in Worthington lead to successful treatment plans that help you get well, stay strong, and enjoy a pain-free function. We have a highly experienced team who offers specialized services for any pain, injury, or discomfort you may be dealing with.
We use movement screenings and baseline measurements to help identify abnormal patterns contributing to your restrictions and limitations. Once we identify all the factors associated with your condition, we will select the most appropriate muscle activation techniques to resolve your pain and restore your natural function.
Your specialist will then incorporate activity-specific treatments with a muscle activation progression to assist you in a safe return to normal daily activities. Next, we will focus on progressing your strength and dynamic mobility by incorporating balance and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help you activate your muscles properly and avoid future injuries.
We use a holistic view to address any problem you may be dealing with. Our clients have found high levels of success in our treatment services due to our implementation of advanced screenings and evidence-based therapies.
Request an appointment today!
At Fitness Matters, our physical therapists and specialists are experts at treating all musculoskeletal-related injuries. We have proven success with treating mild and severe injuries.
Call Fitness Matters today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists!
Sources:
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wk/jsc/2017/00000031/00000003/art00014
https://ejmcm.com/article_3695_08e5353425506ce7f6b616351aa056fd.pdf
