What is MAT?

MAT Specialists use known physical limitations — tightness, pain, asymmetrical movement, lack of movement — and range of motion tests to determine muscular disfunction compensating for imbalances and/or weaknesses in the body's muscular system. These imbalances can range from the result of a single traumatic event to the summation of small weaknesses expressed over the course of a lifetime.

To protect itself from injury — or further injury — due to the instability caused by weak or non-functioning muscles, the body tightens related muscles to restrain movement and employs others to compensate for those that are not working properly. MAT Specialists use range of motion tests to inform their treatment of the muscles that are not working properly and which may be responsible for such muscular dysfunctions. After confirming a muscle's disfunction, the MAT Specialist will use palpation of that muscle to bring it 'back online', restoring its functionality and ability to perform appropriately.

MAT was developed by Greg Roskopf, M.A., a biomechanics expert who specializes in the identification and treatment of muscular imbalances that contribute to injury. He is the owner/president of Muscle Activation Techniques and has worked as a biomechanics consultant for several professional sports teams including the Denver Broncos, Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets.