Muscle Activation Technique (MAT) Offered at Cooper
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02/12/2004
Muscle Activation Techniques Help Correct Muscular Imbalances, Alleviate Pain
Cooper Fitness Center Has One of 67 Certified Therapists
Even day-to-day tasks can become difficult to complete for the many Americans who live with muscular imbalances. Cooper Fitness Center is now offering Greg Roskopf's Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) that evaluates and corrects muscular imbalances in the body. Paul Mossa, Cooper Fitness Center personal trainer, is one of about 67 professionals in the United States certified to perform MAT.
MAT helps restore connections between the brain and the muscles, thus alleviating problematic imbalance/compensation patterns and allowing muscles to begin performing properly. Muscular imbalances occur when muscles do not properly respond to signals sent from the nervous system, causing other muscles to take over the increased demand. This process is referred to as compensation. Compensation, over time, can result in joint instability, joint inflammation, osteoarthritis and a variety of other injuries and disorders.
Mossa studied the training during an eight-month course in Denver, Colo. "The training consisted of an extensive look at anatomy and biomechanics of the body. We had to memorize the origin and insertion of all the muscles since that is where the feedback takes place. We then practiced palpation skills and studied the physiology of muscular imbalances," Mossa said.
According to Mossa, many people who have muscular weaknesses and limited range of motion are unaware of it because they have not experienced any pain yet. MAT is an effective way to correct those problems and prevent future imbalances before the pain begins.
This service is offered in one-hour sessions and includes:
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Range-of-motion assessment that determines which muscles are tight and/or weak. Limited range of motion is a signal from the body that something is wrong.
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Testing of the muscles associated with the limited range of motion.
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Manual therapy on the "problem" muscles. The therapeutic techniques help increase circulation and neurological input to the muscles, which helps get the muscles working properly again.
"Just in the short time we've offered this service, I have already seen a lot of success," Mossa said. "I've used the techniques on muscles throughout the body-from neck and back pain to pain in the hands and feet."
Cooper Fitness Center is a 40,000-square-foot health facility located in Dallas and is one of eight divisions of The Cooper Aerobics Center. Individuals interested in receiving a MAT Consultation should call 972.233.4832.