Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) is a biomechanical-based system that identifies and corrects neuromuscular imbalances that can cause muscle pain and/or joint pain. Muscle Activation Techniques looks at the body's mechanics to make sure all muscles are functioning properly.

Muscle Activation Techniques is a safe, powerful tool that can be used as an adjunct to many other modalities ...including chiropractic, massage therapy, athletic trainers and personal trainers. MAT can assure these practitioners that there are no weak links in the muscular system that will cause the body to compensate.

Muscle Activation Techniques prepares your body regardless of the type of physical activity...golf, running, weight training, or simply walking up stairs. The MAT procedure addresses the weak links, thereby allowing the body to function most efficiently while minimizing pain.

Learn more about MAT.

Whether you are an athlete, youth playing sports or senior, Muscle Activation Techniques will increase range of motion, stability, strength and balance.

The objective behind Jump Start Isometrics is to increase proprioceptive to a muscle through a series of low load contractions in the muscle's neurologically weakest position. Jump Start Isometrics fills in the missing link between rehab and exercise, gives the client a more active role in correcting his own muscle imbalance and reinforces the correct muscle recruitment pattern to prepare the body for exercise. Jump Start isometrics:

• Fills in the missing link between rehab and exercise.
• Gives the client a more active role in correcting his own muscle imbalance
• Reinforces the correct muscle recruitment pattern to prepare the body for exercise

Isometric contractions are targeted at restoring optimal neurological input to the muscle. When a muscle becomes inhibited it loses proper neural input from the nervous system; technically speaking, the ‘gamma input’ [a neural communication to the muscle] becomes inhibited, which is regulated by the ‘muscle spindle’ [a tension regulator]. By isolating the muscle (as best as possible) in a shortened position—contracting it with very little force and for a very short time (6 seconds)—it sends the message to the nervous system “hey remember me?” The goal of these isometric contractions is to get the traumatized muscle to safely move back into a (previous) position of vulnerability. Once in that position a very light contraction (10% of force) is done for 6 seconds and repeated 6 times with a brief rest in between repetitions. The nervous system is repeatedly reminded of this circuit. If done correctly, it will result in the inhibited muscle being activated.

Personal Training

When training with Biomechanics, I do not just focus on how much weight is being moved but how you are moving it. Combining the client’s unique biomechanical and physical needs with their personal goals, workout programs are constantly evolving and improving to bring out the best in every person.

Pam considers proper progression to not only be the key to long-term success (and long-term success is all that really matters), but it is also the key to reducing risk. Microprogression is much more than just adding weight, it is increasing biomechanical and neurological efficiency while moving the weight. To make educated choices concerning exercise and intensity not only requires a thorough biomechanical understanding of each individual but the experience and practical knowledge to apply it.

Professional Courses

When all is functioning properly,gait is one of the most efficient forms of locomotion on this planet. However, injuries, stresses, harmful exposures and imbalances of activity (too lazy or not enough recovery time) build up over time to decrease this efficiency. Even cause injury. In fact, I have found that 90 percent of injuries are gait-related; Neuromuscular compensations based upon and dictated by gravity, momentum and locomotion.

Pamela Minix MATs, RTSm and Debi Huber MATm are hosting a four week study of the human gait pattern. We will first learn the tedious assessment tools necessary to creating a thought process such as levers, axis, moment arms, force directions and the human structure. The practical use of these tools will be our focus for the remainder of the program because:
a) skillful application is what separates the thoughtful from the thoughtless,
b) in my opinion, it is the most ignored topic in seminars, Universities, colleges and lectures and
c) its fun!

Course Information

Topic: Understanding Gait

Dates: July 7, 14, 21 and 28

Times: 1:00-2:30

Cost: $65 per class or $200 for all four weeks.

Location: 10855 Sorrento Valley Rd. #6 San Diego, CA 92121

Educational Requirements: Basic understanding of anatomy.

RSVP will be open to first 5 (so sign up early!).
Payment required upon RSVP.

Bio: I began my studies in biomechanics on personal level as a competitive athlete, then professionally in 2000 when I was hired by the-now-instructor of Muscle Activation Techniques, Matthew Bernier. Now with a few national championships under my belt, a book on this topic (Beyond Exercise), a visit to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a strong, educational introduction into the industry, I have been able to develop an understanding in human movement that is unique. I do not excel in physiology, nor anatomy, nor physics. I am good at two things: biomechanics and talking! Come join us in specific and strategic learning!!!