“Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.”
- John Wooden
What is MAT*?
MAT is an innovative, non-invasive approach that identifies and corrects muscular imbalances that are often responsible for pain, tightness and/or injury. MAT views muscle tightness as a form of protection in the body caused by weak or inhibited muscles. MAT helps restore normal body alignment by addressing and correcting muscle weakness which in turn may relieve muscle tightness, thus decreasing pain and reducing the risk of injury.
What is the goal of MAT?
The goal of MAT is to restore neuromuscular integrity to the body and allow the body to function optimally and efficiently. MAT helps prepare the body for the physical demands placed on it whether they are activities of daily living or sports related performance. MAT helps to reduce or eliminate compensation patterns in the body by correcting muscular imbalances using a specific system of checks and balances.
What makes MAT different?
MAT views muscle tightness as an indicator of muscle weakness. Tight muscles provide protection in the body from positions of instability (i.e. weakness). MAT is used to restore neuromuscular control and to stabilize affected joints. Once the stability of the affected joint improves and the body no longer senses a weakness, tightness may be reduced or eliminated resulting in an increase in mobility. MAT stresses the importance of having stability throughout any ROM that can be performed. If ROM is increased without a corresponding increase in stability, the body is more susceptible to injury or compensation. MAT’s system of checks and balances addresses this concern.
How is MAT performed?
MAT uses a range of motion (ROM) exam and explicit positional muscle tests to identify the body’s greatest limitations. Limitations are based on asymmetries in the body, comparing one side to the other. Positional muscle testing is then used to identify precise muscles that are causing dysfunction and contributing to these limitations. Manual palpations, as well as specific isometric contractions, are used to correct these limitations and restore proper muscle function.
Who has benefited from MAT?
Countless numbers of people have benefited from MAT including professional, collegiate and high school athletes, weekend warriors, people recovering from orthopedic injuries as well as active and sedentary individuals with nagging aches and pains. You could be added to this list!
*MAT was founded and developed by Greg Roskopf, MA. Greg is a frequent speaker at several fitness and other allied health industry events, and has been a contributing author for several trade and peer reviewed publications. He has also practiced the MAT techniques on various professional organizations, including; the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz. For questions and more information on MAT please visit www.muscleactivation.com
Learn about our other services: