What is the goal of MAT®?

The first goal of MAT® is to determine whether or not specific muscles that support a joint have the proper neurological input necessary to perform its function. Whether acting as a prime mover, synergist or stabilizer, each muscle must be capable of performing its function as forces are being placed on a joint. If a muscle does not have proper proprioceptive input, then it will not be able to perform its function efficiently and this leads to positions of vulnerability. The goal of the MAT® evaluation process is to find out where the body displays these positions of vulnerability or weakness.

After identifying these areas of protection, the second goal is to attempt to improve mobility and stability of the joint. This is a process of increasing the proprioceptive input and the ability of the muscles to contract on demand when placed in a shortened position. The third goal of MAT® is to provide a checks and balances system to make sure that any time joint range of motion is increased (mobility) that there is proprioceptive input (stability) through the new found motion. This is why MAT® works as a great adjunct to all forms of therapies.

What does ‘proprioceptive input’ mean?

Proprioceptive input has to do with the communication between the brain and a muscle. A proprioceptor is a sensory receptor that detects the motion or position of the body or a limb by responding to stimuli arising within the body. The central nervous system (CNS) receives and processes signals from these sensory receptors to coordinate movement and positioning. Throughout this program the terms proprioceptive input will be used in conjunction with neurological input, meaning communication between the brain (through the CNS) and a muscle.

A good example of a proprioceptive test is given when a police officer suspects someone of driving while under the influence of alcohol. The driver has to stand with eyes closed and arms out to the side (like an airplane) and try to touch the tip of their nose with their index fingers. Apparently, ones ability to do this is a little more challenging when under the influence. This would be an example of impaired proprioceptive input; the body senses something is off and the ability to perform the task becomes more difficult.

What is the Law of Reciprocal Inhibition?

The ‘Law of Reciprocal Inhibition’ is an important concept to help understand the root cause of muscular tension. The philosophy of MAT is substantiated by concepts related to this law. It states that when a muscle contracts (referred to as the ‘agonist’), it sends an inhibition response to the opposite muscle (referred to as the ‘antagonist’) in order to allow for normal joint range of motion. This means that the opposite muscle (antagonist) relaxes when the agonist contracts. However, if a contracting muscle does not have proper feedback from the nervous system (referred to as ‘proprioceptive input), then the opposing muscle will become hyperactive and its rest length will be altered. This means that if the agonist muscle has become inhibited or weak, then it can not contract fully. In order to protect the joint, the brain sends a message to the opposite muscle to tighten up. This tension prohibits the body from moving into a position of vulnerability. Muscles tighten up to protect the body from moving into a position of weakness.

What does Muscle Activation mean?

Muscle activation refers to the process of ‘jumpstarting’ the muscle. The goal of Muscle Activation Techniques is to identify the position of weakness and the muscles that are inhibited, and then to activate these muscles – basically switch them back on. For a more simplistic approach to understand muscle function, compare the body to a car. The initiation of a muscle contraction occurs similarly to the way a battery initiates the starting of a car. Both rely on connections that transfer electrical energy to produce a reaction. The nerves that run from the spinal cord to the muscle are just like the cables that run from the ignition to the battery. When the key is turned in the ignition, the impulses transfer through the cables to the battery allowing the car to start. Similarly, in the body, when a message is sent from the brain, the input is transferred through the nerves to the muscles creating muscle contraction. Each muscle is independently innervated; therefore it can be seen as having many batteries, each connected by its own independent cables. When the body is functioning properly, with all batteries connected, each muscle will contract on demand and the body will function very efficiently.

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. The progressive degeneration has been correlated with aging. If identified and properly addressed, it does not have to occur.