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Muscle Activation Techniques

Improve your muscle function and performance.

Muscle Activation Techniques

Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) is a hands-on neuromuscular therapy focused on identifying and correcting muscle inhibition (muscles that aren’t firing efficiently) as the root cause of muscle tightness and pain. By addressing underlying issues and correcting muscle imbalances, MAT aims to improve the body’s overall function and performance, decrease pain, improve range of motion and stability, and offer a more effective solution to overall wellness than simply treating symptoms.

FAQs

While most therapies focus on treating the muscles with tension and/or pain, MAT seeks to identify the root of pain or injury by addressing muscle weakness (neurological weakness) rather than muscle tightness. MAT® views muscle tightness as a form of protection in the body.

The goal of MAT® is to identify the inhibited or weak muscles that are creating a protective response and then ‘jumpstart’ these muscles in order to improve their contractile capability. If the tight muscles are stretched or massaged—without addressing the root cause (the inhibited or weak muscle)—then it’s possible to violate the body’s protective mechanism and increase the risk for injury. 

Muscle inhibition occurs when communication between the brain and a muscle is impaired, preventing full contraction. This often happens at extreme ranges of motion, causing joint instability. To compensate, other muscles tighten for protection. Over time, this stress alters nervous system feedback, reducing the muscle’s ability to stabilize joints and transfer force effectively.

Muscle inhibition can be caused by trauma, stress, overuse, or poor recovery. When a muscle is overworked without proper rest, the brain may ‘switch it off’ to prevent further strain, causing the opposing muscle to tighten for protection. Habitual stress, sudden injuries, and factors like blood sugar imbalances, food allergies, dehydration, and emotional stress can also contribute over time.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Our Providers

Make sustainable and impactful changes to your lifestyle that support your overall health goals and quality of life with the help of our providers.

Leslie Austin, Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT)

Master Level Specialist, Personal Trainer

Leslie Austin, Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT)

Master Level Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Wellness Consultant holds a Bachelor of Science Education degree in Health and Fitness from Baylor University.

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(214) 919-0444

Cindy Nilson DOM, LAc

Acupuncturist