Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) is a systematic approach which identifies and treats muscular imbalances/weaknesses that lead to inefficient function, pain and injury.  

MAT is designed to correct body alignment in order to prepare the body for what you are asking it to do.  It  focuses on the understanding that the body protects itself where it senses an instability.  Muscles tighten as protection for the body and will limit the range of motion.  We find these limitations and correct the instability, thereby restoring normal joint motion and allowing the body to operate more efficiently.   This is done in several steps:

1. Biomechanical analysis is performed in specific joint positions to find limitations in range of motion. 
2. Specific muscle testing is used in these range of motions to identify weaknesses.
3. Once these positions of instability of have been identified, the neurological connection for this muscle must be restored.  This can be done through the use of palpations or low-level isometrics which will provide strength where it wasn’t previously available.
4. Retesting of the muscle to verify that strength has been restored and rechecking range of motion to see if the body has released its protective limitations.

The goal is to improve and control range of motion by analyzing and correcting muscle imbalances that can lead to pain and dysfunction.

Balance, variety and moderation are the keys to healthful eating.  A registered dietitian can help you find a total eating plan that works for you and your lifestyle. 

Eating habits are hard to change.  With all the focus on weight in society and all the information available, it’s easy to see how so many fall prey to fad diets and weight loss products.  Food choices need to be based on education of what your body needs and when it needs it.  The goal is to educate you so that you make the right choices that allow you to make the changes necessary to maintain a healthy overall lifestyle. 

Balance of energy sources is important for our bodies.  Diets that either allow unlimited quantities of any food or that eliminate or severely restrict entire food groups are not beneficial to the body.  A diet should include a balance of macronutrients and be a way of eating that can be maintained for life.   All foods have a place in a healthy, balanced diet.  Finding a realistic approach and the right balance for you is important for making  lifestyle changes.

Develop eating skills for life.  Do you eat only when hungry?  Stop eating when you’re full?  Eat what your body needs?  An important part of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is self-awareness of not only what you’re eating, but when you’re eating and how much you’re eating.  Responding to your body and it’s basic cues will become part of daily living if you pay attention to feelings of hunger and fullness.  Make mindful eating a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle.

Change your eating….and help change your life.

Healthy meals can be planned for:

• Weight Control
• Menu Planning
• Diabetes
• Sports Nutrition
• Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• And Many More!

The benefits of exercise are abundant and anyone from beginner to advanced can benefit.  The importance of developing the correct program that will work for YOU given your individual physical and life constraints is key.  

Your health history, lifestyle and current fitness level are taken into consideration.  Keeping you motivated and focused on the goals while reducing the risk of injury is also an important role of the personal trainer.  This is done by:

• Thorough assessment of individualized strengths and weaknesses to develop a personalized workout program.
• Identify negative compensation patterns and develop exercises to correct these patterns.
• Increase mobility, stability and balance.
• Develop core strength and stability.
• Safe progression of exercises.

Components of an exercise program include:

Resistance Training

The principles of human anatomy, physics, biomechanics and movement are utilized to design the correct workout program for your body.   Proper exercise mechanics takes into consideration the structure of the individual, the internal and external forces on the body, and the effect of ranges and motions specific to the exercise and the individual. 

Cardiovascular Training

Finding the correct mode and level of training for your body is crucial to reaching your goals.  By determining the best possible plan, you can better prevent injury.