Why is this is important? Well, sometimes, the natural firing sequences of muscles that enable different types of movement in the body, becomes changed, and other muscles have to become involved to do the work of the muscle or muscles that are not firing, or are weak.
The prime example of this would be the Psoas (the body's main hip flexor). If Psoas is weak or inhibited, then the Quads and the Abs will take over - in addition to doing their own job - for the Quads, this is knee extension and the Abs are all about maintaining core stability and strength. After time, the Quads and Abs may weak or inhibited from doing the work of Psoas (hip flexion) as well as their own jobs, so other muscles further down the kinetic chain have to take over - and so on. These are called 'muscle compensations’, and they have a cascading effect throughout the entire body, which increases the risk of injury. And it because of this notion of kinetic chains and firing sequences, that we start to see how pain and dysfunction can materialise in the body but the underlying cause, and therefore where we should treat, are elsewhere.
Could it be, that right arm problem that nothing has helped with, might actually be caused by the opposite side hip flexor not firing and disrupting the firing sequences of muscles in the kinetic chain, so the arm (and associated muscles) is actually involved in hip flexion (as well as doing their own job)? YES!
Could those always tight hamstrings that nothing has helped with, also actually be caused down the chain by Psoas not firing, which means the Glutes are also switched off (due to their reciprocal relationship), and the Hamstrings are having to do the job of the Glutes as well as their own job? YES!
Muscle Activation gets muscles firing in the correct sequences, and strengthening weak/inhibited muscles. When this is achieved, all muscles that have been compensating for other muscles that are not firing or are weak/inhibited muscles, can now focus solely on doing their own job – which means they can relax! This reduces pain and dysfunction in compensating areas, and can also increase overall strength, mobility and performance.
Where does Muscle Activation come from?
This is fairly new to the UK; the technique and approach is more popular in the States, and increasingly worldwide. The originator is a South African physiotherapist called Douglas Heel, who developed the approach from working out what the body is trying to achieve, in order to start working out where and why things go wrong. Doug worked out that we need to look at the firing sequences of muscles in a kinetic chain in order to work out what needed to be activated - and for this reason, has much in common with Myofascial Release and 'fascial lines' in the body. More about Doug's approach can be found on his website, http://www.douglasheel.com/. Variations of this approach exist in other names and formats worldwide, such as Muscle Activation Technique (MAT) and NeuroKinetic Therapy in the States.
How does a session work?
This is a whole body treatment, so even if you come in with something like neck or shoulder pain, each session begins with hip flexion muscle assessments, and then we test and activate/restore the following muscles systems:
• Diaphragm
• Psoas, Glutes, Hamstrings
• Quads
• Gastrocnemius and Tibialis Anterior
• Adductors, Glute Medius and Minimus, Quadratus Lumborum (Lateral sling)
• Piriformis, Latissimus Dorsi
• Abdominals
• Shoulder thoracic
• Sternocleidomastoid. Masseter and pterygoids
• Supraspinatus (Central sling)
You can remain clothed during a session if you wish, as most of the techniques can be performed through or around clothes.
Does it hurt?
This is a very hands on technique, and activation points for a particular muscle can be very tender if the muscle in question is weak and inhibited, and needs to be activated. Although it can be fairly intense at times, the activation points do not need to be worked for too long. After activating each muscle, we re-test it and usually see dramatic results straight away - then as the session ends and you go about your daily business, expect a reduction in pain and dysfunction if this is the reason you came, or an increase in strength and performance in your next run or race!
How long is a session?
Each session is 60mins long, and may include some other Myofascial and Sports Massage techniques if required. Alternatively, book in for my Full Body MOT (available in 90mins and 2h versions) and receive a dynamic combination of Muscle Activation as described above, Myofascial Release, Sports Massage techniques. Literally leaving you feeling like a brand new person.
