What is Muscle Activation Techniques™(MAT)?
Developed by Greg Roskopf, MAT is a straightforward, non-invasive technique designed to assess and correct muscle imbalances that contribute to pain and weakness
From this perspective, tight muscles are a protective mechanism that the body utilizes to protect itself from positions of instability. So, to forcibly take away the body's innate defenses without resolving the underlying causes would be irresponsible. M.A.T. restores the neuromuscular control that the body needs to stabilize the affected joints, re-establishing mobility and stability.
Another hallmark of M.A.T. is that it is a reproducible system of checks and balances designed to reveal and correct the compensation patterns.
From a biomechanics perspective, M.A.T. looks at how all joints are interrelated and how abnormal mechanics in one joint may affect motion at another joint, e.g. the effect of foot mechanics on hip, shoulder and cervical function.
While most treatment modalities look for and treat muscular tension, M.A.T. looks for and treats muscular weakness, viewing muscular weakness as the top priority and viewing tightness as secondary.
Am I a candidate?
M.A.T. will give you a new lease on your active lifestyle, allowing you to return to the tennis court, golf course, swimming pool, or athletic field without pain.
M.A.T. is a prerequisite to exercise because it prepares the body for any activity. With M.A.T., you can perform at a higher level while protecting yourself from injury.
M.A.T. can help to reduce or eliminate pain from the following conditions:
Muscle Pain, Back Pain, Joint Pain, Shoulder Pain , Hip/knee Pain, Ankle/foot pain, Sciatic Pain, Rotator Cuff Injuries , Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Other Sports Related Injuries
How is MAT Different?
From this perspective, tight muscles are a protective mechanism that the body utilizes to protect itself from positions of instability. So, to forcibly take away the body's innate defenses without resolving the underlying causes would be irresponsible. M.A.T. restores the neuromuscular control that the body needs to stabilize the affected joints, re-establishing mobility and stability.
Another hallmark of M.A.T. is that it is a reproducible system of checks and balances designed to reveal and correct the compensation patterns.
From a biomechanics perspective, M.A.T. looks at how all joints are interrelated and how abnormal mechanics in one joint may affect motion at another joint, e.g. the effect of foot mechanics on hip, shoulder and cervical function.
What to expect during a session?
The M.A.T. practitioner will have you complete a health profile needed to start the data-gathering process (normally completed and sent back before the initial meeting/evaluation). Additional medical health history information will also be completed at this time. Detailed data collection is crucial in order to gather all the needed information to "get to the bottom" of your pain and weakness.
During the initial assessment, you'll be asked to perform very simple range-of-motion tests such as raising your arm to the side or lifting your leg. During this time, the M.A.T. practitioner will gather all the necessary information in order to determine the proper course of action during the session.
During the session, there will be an open line of communication between you and the practitioner.
While on the treatment table, continued range-of-motion tests will be executed. This is necessary for additional data gathering and essential for proper course of treatment.
All treatments are performed over your clothes so please wear light, comfortable clothing. Refrain from wearing belts, jeans or jewelry during the session. There will be a place for you to change, if necessary.
After stepping off the table, you should feel "different." Most people comment on how they feel more grounded, more stable -- and stronger! Don't get too excited though, your first session is just the tip of the iceberg! Results vary from person to person and session to session.
The MAT Process
M.A.T. is holistic and has a systematic approach when assessing muscular imbalances and how they relate to overall function in the body. By identifying the limitations in motion and correcting the muscular imbalances associated with that limitation, your body has the ability to recover and heal itself. M.A.T. helps people get better faster by recognizing recovery as an integral part of the healing process. By doing less, you will achieve more.
Step One: M.A.T. uses range-of-motion tests to determine neuromuscular deficits that lead to compromised performance, joint instability and pain. These deficits are typically found in joint positions where muscles have the least biomechanical advantage and if there is dysfunction diminished proprioceptive input (connection between muscle and brain) as well. Therefore, limitations in range of motion indicate positions of weakness or neuromuscular deficits.
Step Two: Once positional limitations in range of motion (R.O.M.) have been identified, the position of weakness must be uncovered. To accomplish this, joint and position -specific muscle testing (neuroproprioceptive response testing) is applied.
Step Three: Once the positions of instability have been identified, the neurological connection must be restored. To strengthen these positions of instability, specific, graded-intensity isometrics or precise palpations are used to restore proper proprioceptive input to the muscle.
Step Four: Re-test to make sure that the R.O.M. and strength have been restored.
The Results: Increased R.O.M and strength, a decreased or elimination of pain, and creation of a mechanically and neurologically advantageous environment for healing. (Results are experienced throughout multiple treatments)
MAT Simply Explained
Many times, due to factors such as stress, trauma or overuse, the neurological connections may become altered creating a reaction in the body, similar to that of loose battery cables in your car. When the brain sends a message for a muscle to contract, the muscle does not respond immediately, creating increased demand on other muscles to perform the desired movement. The result becomes what we know as compensation. Over time, these compensation patterns create altered alignment in the joint, leading to joint instability and abnormal wear on the joint surfaces. The end result becomes pain and eventually osteoarthritis. This progressive degeneration has been correlated with aging. If identified and properly addressed, it does not have to occur.
M.A.T. can slow down or even reverse the aging process. If it is recognized that muscles are designed to stabilize and support the joints naturally; it must be understood that arthritic conditions and joint instability can be helped or prevented when muscles are prepared to function properly. All that is needed is to create proper connections between the brain and the muscles.
M.A.T. does this. It provides the ability for the body to function the way it was designed to function. Just like with a dead battery, the muscles must be jumpstarted and the cables must be tightened before the muscle will function properly. In simplistic terms, through Muscle Activation Techniques, muscles that have improper neurological connections are identified, then jumpstarted; creating the ability for the muscles to stabilize the joints and reduce the joint stresses that lead to arthritic conditions. That is when the body becomes efficient and the related aches and pains are deterred.
Ken offers complimentary consultations in Northern New Jersey. The current locations where he can be seen by an appointment are:
- The Chiropractic and Therapy Center of Fort lee. 520 Main Street, Suite 303, Fort Lee N.J.
- The Aikido Centers of New Jersey - 55 Eagle Rock Ave., East Hanover N.J.
If needed, special arrangements can be made for in home visits within the general Fort Lee area of New Jersey. All appointments are to be made directly through the contact information located on this website.
For detailed information on MAT please continue to read this page.
Click on the video to watch a 7 minute interview
with Ken Freiberg as he demonstrates and explains Muscle Activation Techniques.
