Post isometric relaxation

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Postisometric relaxation (PIR, Syn .: muscle energy technique (MET), neuromuscular technique (NMT)) is a term for the phenomenon that an isometrically tense muscle (i.e. tension without causing a movement because an equal force or resistance counteracts the muscle force ) shows less basic tension (tone) than before after the tension. This is used in various schools of physiotherapy , manual therapy , osteopathy and others to loosen and stretch tense and functionally shortened muscles.

The therapist first lets the patient tense the muscle to be stretched against resistance. After a few seconds, the patient lets go. Afterwards, the previously tensed muscle can be stretched without much effort or pain. From the new, somewhat stretched position, the same procedure is repeated and the range of motion of the muscle is significantly expanded and the tension is removed, step by step.

literature