Lecture #7 (Muscle Energy)

Question 1

What is muscle energy used to treat?

Answer 1

Joint alignments

Question 2

What is muscle energy?

Answer 2

A manual technique that uses the muscles to pull the joint back into place. It uses a precise and controlled voluntary contraction of a muscle against a counterforce provided by clinician followed by a passive stretch.

Question 3

Why do joint malalignments occur?

Answer 3

When the body becomes unbalanced (i.e. muscle spasms, weakened muscles, or decreased flexibility)

Question 4

What are the two most common body parts that we use muscle energy on?

Answer 4

Pelvis and spine

Question 5

What is the theory as to why muscle energy works?

Answer 5

The muscle contractions allow for improved relaxation and improved motion.

Question 6

What types of muscle contractions can be used with this technique?

Answer 6

Concentric, eccentric, or isometric

Question 7

True or false:

Muscle energy most likely won’t hurt a patient because they control the magnitude of the muscle contraction.

Answer 7

True…however they may be sore in the following days

Question 8

What is the first part of the muscle energy procedure?

Answer 8

Accurate determination of the malalignment and its cause

Question 9

Describe the procedure for muscle energy.

Answer 9

• place the part in the area where resistance is met
• apply resistance while the patient contracts the injured area
• the force that the clinician uses is directed with the proper direction, duration, and magnitude
• allow the muscle to be fully relaxed before placing it into a stretch to the “new” barrier
• repeat 3-5 times

Question 10

What type of muscle contraction is typically used when dealing with the spine? How long and how much force is used for the spine?

Answer 10

Isometric–its just a light contraction, so no change in muscle length. Hold these for 5-10 seconds with only 2 ounces of force

Question 11

What type of muscle contraction is typically used when dealing with the extremities? How should these move?

Answer 11

Isotonic–its higher in force in an even, controlled speed. Should move through the full ROM

Question 12

What should a muscle exercise treatment be accompanied by?

Answer 12

Exercise and stretching to fully help resolve the problem

Question 13

What are some other options if muscle energy doesn’t seem to be helping?

Answer 13

Try a different position or a different procedure (such as jont mobs)

Question 14

What could be a contraindication for muscle energy?

Answer 14

Acute, healing, or nonunion fractures