Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

60 • Massage Therapy Journal

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Post isometric relaxation

• Muscle strain • Joint sprain • Joint instability Steps for Muscle Energy Techniques Reciprocal Inhibition 1. Place targeted muscle in a passive stretch where there is a barrier assessed. The client may or may not feel a subtle lengthening or restriction barrier. 2. Client actively contracts the antagonist of the target muscle against practitioner’s resistance for approximately 10 seconds at 10% strength. 3. The client takes in a deep breath, exhales and relaxes the contraction while the practitioner passively stretches the target muscle to the next barrier. 4. This lengthen or stretch is held for 10 seconds. 5. Repeat three times. There should be a noticeable change in the range of motion of the joint and the flexibility of the targeted muscle. Post Isometric Relaxation 1. Place targeted muscle in a passive stretch where there is a barrier assessed. The client

may or may not feel a subtle lengthening or restriction barrier. 2. Back off the barrier slightly. 3. Client actively contracts the target muscle against practitioner’s resistance for approximately 10 seconds at 10% strength. 4. The client takes in a deep breath, exhales and relaxes the contraction while the practitioner passively stretches the target muscle to the next barrier. 5. This lengthened stretch is held for 10 seconds. 6. Repeat three times. There should be a noticeable change in the range of motion of the joint and the flexibility of the targeted muscle. Positional Release Technique (PRT): How-To and Contraindications PRT , also known as Strain-Counterstrain , is a manual therapy approach that is used by massage therapists, physical therapists and orthopedic physicians. Strain-Counterstrain was developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones in 1955, and is a gentle and noninvasive technique. The goal of this technique is to reduce discomfort while increasing tissue movement of the client. PRT involves finding a tender area or a trigger point in soft tissues

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