Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy, commonly abbreviated to MAT, is a unique form of massage therapy created by therapist and psychologist Erik Dalton in the 1980’s. This form of massage therapy utilizes principles from Dr. Vladimir Janda, manipulative osteopathy and Dr. Ida Rolf.
MAT is focused on alleviating long-term pain that may be interfering with the client’s quality of life, such as soft tissue pain. MAT aids such pains by mobilizing joints through muscle manipulation. Contract-relax techniques are used to ease the area of pain back into movement that will eventually stop the nervous system signaling pain signals to the brain.
Those who utilize MAT are focused on finding the true source of pain and addressing it, rather than focus on the symptoms. In other words, instead of giving a relaxing massage that only concentrates on short term relief of painful symptoms, MAT seeks to find a solution to the source of the pain.
MAT recognizes that all systems in the body are connected, and this practice emphasizes studying how those systems work together. This leads to a better understanding of common myoskeletal pains, which leads to a more accurate diagnosis and longer lasting relief.
MAT is helpful for addressing posture issues, chronic neck and back pain, pinched nerves, muscle weakness and joint injuries.
To learn more about Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy, visit
http://erikdalton.com/blog/myoskeletal-alignment-therapy/
http://erikdalton.com/about-erik/myoskeletal-alignment-techniques/