These techniques are a form of assisted stretching, originating in the late 1950’s. Originally used by osteopaths and now widely used by allied health professionals.
There are two types of MET stretch the sports massage therapist (SMT) will use. Post isometric relaxation and Reciprocal inhibition.
MET stretches aim to lengthen muscles that are limited by neurological restrictions. The stretch uses the muscles own energy in the form of a gentle isometric contraction to relax the muscle so it can be lengthened.
They can be used to restore and maintain muscle/joint flexibility, improve postural balance and prevent injury.
Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR)
The SMT will firstly ensure the client is in a comfortable position. They will then ask the client to move the limb being treated to what feels like the point of natural resistance within the joint.
The SMT will ask the client to perform a 10 second isometric contraction of the muscle being stretched at 10% of their maximum effort whilst the SMT counteracts, ensuring the limb does not move.
The client will then be asked to relax the contracted muscle, on an out breath the SMT will move the relaxed joint until a new natural point of resistance is felt.
This process will be repeated 3 times.
Reciprocal Inhibition (RI)
The treatment application in RI is the same as PIR except the SMT will instruct the client to perform a 10 second isometric contraction on the opposing muscle to the one being stretched.
The type of MET used is very much down to the individual choice of the SMT, however the benefits of RI is it can be used in the early sub-acute phase of healing as the targeted muscle is not the one contracting.
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