So the tight and muscles are often not the problem?
Correct. I often use the analogy of traffic when I explain this concept to my Muscle Activation Technique clients. When you are stuck on a highway and not moving, you are likely to blame the ten or so cars in front of you. However, you know very well that the problem that is slowing everyone down might be a miles away (like a car accident).
The same thing happens to muscles and joints. A client might come in for a Muscle Activation Technique session and complain about tightness in the neck. The muscles of the neck and shoulders are all tight, and so the client wishes to have these muscles treated. However, the problem might lie in the musculoskeletal imbalance at the hips and lower part of the spine. Since the spine is a continuation of small segments, a misalignment in one area will reflect in misalignment in another. In the case of tightness in the neck, the priority is placed on gaze, so the CNS will tighten all necessary muscles of the neck and shoulder in order to keep the head and gaze on an even level. Whether this causes you pain and discomfort is of low relevance to the CNS. Remember, the CNS is not interested in your well being, but rather in your immediate survival.
Frequently Asked Muscle Activation Technique ™ Questions
- How many sessions are needed to see results?
- How long should I expect the results to last after a treatment?
- Why do muscles tighten up and cause pain?
- So the tight and muscles are often not the problem?