Sports Massage Muscle Energy Techniques (2 CE)

Muscle energy techniques combine gentle isometric contractions with autogenic and reciprocal inhibition to lengthen the muscle, improving neck pain and posterior shoulder tightness compared with static stretching.

Explore two types of muscle energy techniques: post isometric relaxation lengthens and realigns fibers after contraction, while reciprocal inhibition relaxes the opposing muscle when contraction is performed against resistance.

Discover how muscle energy techniques help anyone with joint limitations or soft tissue pain, improve restricted movement, reduce edema, and prevent future injuries for athletes, desk workers, and the elderly.

Muscle energy techniques, including METI, improve joint mobility and range of motion by relaxing hypertonic and shortened muscles and restoring normal tone.

Learn muscle energy technique for acute and chronic conditions, guiding a muscle to resistance, with a 10–20% isometric hold for 10–12 seconds, then passive lengthening and a 20–30 second stretch.

Learn supine plantarflexion for the gastrocnemius to guide calf contractions with 10–20 percent effort. Stabilize at the ankle, stretch for 20–30 seconds across three passes.

Master supine dorsiflexion for the talocrural joint to relieve ankle restriction and inflammation. Use a three-step approach—10-second resisted contraction, stabilization above the ankle, then a 20–30 second stretch.

Employ supine inversion and eversion to stretch the peroneals, linking ankle tension to hip, knee, and pelvis. Stabilize the ankle, then perform end-range contractions for tibialis anterior and posterior.

Guides you through a targeted gastrocnemius and soleus stretch using knee lock, calcaneus support, and 10-second contractions at 10–20 percent effort for athletic calf development.

Demonstrates a prone calf alternative: have the client off the table, press into the leg for 10 seconds, then push into the stretch and follow with hands-on techniques.

Demonstrates a knee range-of-motion test by bending and lifting the leg, and explains how tension in the tfl and muscles around the greater trochanter affects the knee's lateral side.

Learn a runner's knee treatment stretch targeting the TFL and greater trochanter, using leg adduction and 10-second contractions, with body-weight assisted, ergonomic variations for larger athletes.

Strengthen the knee by performing a resisted contraction in the last 10 degrees of extension to target the vastus medialis, aiding rehabilitation for lateral leg tightness and patellofemoral tracking issues.

Stretch the rectus femoris by guiding a two-joint quad stretch, stabilizing the pelvis, and using 10-second contractions toward a bind, followed by a 20–30 second final hold.

Apply muscle energy technique to stretch tight hamstrings, bringing the leg to 90 degrees, using controlled contractions, breathing, and end-range holds to target biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus.

Demonstrates a muscle energy technique for the adductors, stabilizing the pelvis and guiding a contract–relax stretch to bring the leg toward the midline and test short versus long adductors.

Learn to assess piriformis restriction, apply muscle energy technique with resisted contractions, and guide a figure-four and hamstring stretch as a practical homecare plan.

Guide a psoas and hip flexor stretch using a knee hug and gravity to aid the stretch, with client-control and 10-second contractions. Emphasize comfort, breathing, and gentle progression.

Learn a hands-on technique for pubic symphysis dysfunction that provides relief for pelvic pain, including in pregnant women, with detailed step-by-step guidance and home-care instructions.

Identify functional leg length discrepancy through hip rotation palpation and apply a muscle energy technique with a broom handle to train opposing hamstrings and hip flexors, then re-test.

Master the anterior innominate rotation technique using muscle energy to balance hip alignment through patient-assisted contraction, controlled stretching, rocking, and retesting for improved alignment.

Position the pelvis to correct posterior innominate rotation by stabilizing the pelvis, elevating and abducting the leg, and using the quad press, then retest the SI joints.

Master a lengthening technique for the lumbar spine erectors to relieve thoracolumbar tension. Anchor the thoracic spine, perform a 10-second contraction at 10–20% effort, then cross and spread stretch.

Demonstrates a QL muscle energy technique using a banana pose with the crossed-leg position and ten-second contractions. The therapist stabilizes the hip to deepen the stretch while protecting nerves.

Teach a hands-on leg stretch technique for low back and pelvic pain, using patient-led holds, gravity-assisted release, and targeted trigger-point release in the hip abductors with gentle overpressure.

Apply muscle energy technique to open a closed facet joint along the spine by testing fixation, guiding flexion-rotation-sidebending, applying controlled resistance, stretching, and retesting for release.

Learn to address a rotational protrusion with targeted contact and stabilization. Cross the arms, contact the elbow, and guide contractions and breathing to reduce protrusion along the TVP.

Demonstrates a thoracic kyphosis correction technique using arm crossing, forehead supported, brief pressure, and gliding from lower to upper thoracic to reduce the kyphotic curve.

Learn a muscle energy technique for the first rib fixation to address thoracic outlet syndrome by guiding breath, arm positioning, reciprocal inhibition, and gentle rib adjustment.

Master the dynamic lat technique for the latissimus dorsi, anchoring at the hip or lower ribs, palpation and contraction, and applying active release to target mid back segments.