| What takes place at the first appointment? The objective of the Activation Mechanics process is to restore optimal joint function, improve the joints ability to tolerate forces and then maintain it. This is a process that takes place over a series of appointments. The first appointment includes the following: •Fill out general health information form •Discuss how AM can help you •Discuss the length of the treatment process (Generally two to eight appointments scheduled at one week intervals) •Start the assessment and correction process •Go over exercises you will do at home several times during the day until your next appointment. (these exercises are specific to you and require your complete attention, but take less than five minutes to complete) •Schedule your next appointment How long will it take to see results? The number of sessions required to resolve a musculoskeletal problem depends on the individual and their particular situation. Most clients notice improvement in one or two sessions. Clients with broken bones, fusions, joint replacements, surgeries, years of chronic or intermittent muscular pain, etc. may require a longer series of visits. Everyone needs maintenance appointments much like routine dental check-ups. Clients with a moderately active lifestyle, good eating habits, low to moderate stress levels, who maintain a joint-appropriate weight, improve at a faster rate than those who do not. What can I do to help my recovery between visits? •Reduce activity during the treatment process •Commit to the number of sessions suggested after the initial consultation (generally 2 – 6, at one week intervals) •Keeps scheduled appointments, even when you are feeling good •Do not combine other therapies, treatments and/or “corrective exercises” with this process unless your therapist, practitioner, personal trainer and/or coach are directly coordinating your treatment with each other. •Do the reinforcement exercises, given at the time of your appointment, several time a day between office visits •Realize that long term muscular problems often take time to get better •Realize that continuing to be active during the treatment process is like trying to get your car serviced while you’re driving it •Understand that the activities you choose and the intensity of your performance must be within what your body is capable of, in its current stage of repair, or your progress will be limited. How can I be so weak when I exercise often? The weakness experienced during a MAT assessment is related to poor communication between the brain and the muscle (neural inhibition). The MAT system is designed to reveal these weaknesses and make corrections. The weaknesses revealed during a MAT session are present during exercise, but the body, being an excellent compensator, hides the weak areas. If left untreated, over time you may experience a discrepancy in size or strength from right to left, limited mobility, muscle tightness, and pain. Muscles that are neurologically weak are different from muscles that are deconditioned or weak from lack of exercise. If a muscle is neurologically weak, not only will exercise not help, but it may contribute to the muscular dysfunction that leads to arthritic changes in the joint. Is this process covered by insurance? Muscle Activation Techniques is a system that creates a baseline for improved joint function, which is the necessary, although rare, starting point for every form of exercise from yoga to power lifting. Currently, insurance companies do not cover these services. How should I dress for the session? Wear loose fitting clothes. A T-shirt and sweat pants are recommended. Is Activation Mechanics appropriate for children? Yes, this process is ideal for children because they do not have an accumulation of injuries and compensations to unravel. Most children and teenagers have immediate and long lasting results. Routine MAT mechanical check-ups scheduled like dental check-ups may well improve the longevity and function of the joints and reduce the aches, pains and mobility issues frequently associated with the aging process. Why isn’t MAT offered at health clubs? The number one reason for this is because there are only three Certified Specialists in Massachusetts and all work independently from a franchise fitness facility. Until 2001 only the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz had access to MAT through its developer Greg Roskopf of Denver, Colorado. As of the Fall of 2007 there are approximately 250 Muscle Activation Techniques Certified Specialists in the United States and Canada. Another reason why MAT is not yet offered in health clubs is because it does not fall into the typical fitness profession education format. Traditional classes for Personal Trainer’s are one hour to two days in length and cost up to several hundred dollars. The MAT Internship Program can exceed $20,000.00 (tuition plus expenses). The MAT Jump-Start Program is a commitment of three weekends, $900.00 tuition plus travel expenses. Both programs require many hours of study and even more hours of “hands on” practice to develop the skills necessary to effectively utilize the information. In addition to the time and financial commitment, MAT explores neurophysiology and exercise mechanics and challenges many of the concepts currently used in today’s fitness programs. Fitness facility management is not always open to new ideas that do not conform to industry standards. Finally, these programs require the trainer to think about the individual they are working with and develop exercises specifically for that individual for each session with the understanding that exercise is an ongoing process, not subject to standardization, programming or protocols. This way of thinking is rare in the fitness industry. What is involved in becoming a MAT Certified Specialist? The MAT Internship Program is ten months and consists of eight, 3-day weekends. Interns are required to be in Denver or satellite locations for these classes. Prior to applying for the internship, candidates must have a degree and/or appropriate experience in health or exercise related fields and a thorough understanding of anatomy. Certification requires 176 hours of instruction including a 5 hour midterm and practical exam and an extensive 8 hour Final exam and practical under the supervision of the MAT developer, Greg Roskopf (Only Interns from classes 1-5 were personally tested by Greg Roskopf). In addition to the course requirements, Interns should expect: •to log a minimum of 600 practice hours •several hours per day of study time •group study weekends with other Interns in the same geographical region •cadaver anatomy labs •advanced biomechanics classes offered through www.resistancetrainingspecialist.com •significant investment in textbooks, flexible skeleton, disarticulated skeleton, videos, tutoring, etc. How can I set up an appointment? CONTACT me to set up an appointment or consultation. CLICK HERE to got to the "Do You Know?" page. |
| What takes place at the first appointment? How long will it take to see results? What can I do to help my recovery between visits? How can I be so weak when I exercise often? Is this process covered by insurance? How should I dress for the session? Is Activation Mechanics appropriate for children? Why isn’t MAT offered at health clubs? What is involved in becoming a MAT Certified Specialist? How can I set up an appointment? ____________________________________________ |
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