Articular vs Muscle MET: Two Approaches, Two Clinical Purposes

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is used in two distinct ways: articular MET and muscle MET. Although both use isometric contraction, their goals and clinical applications are different.

What is articular MET?

Articular MET focuses on restoring motion to specific joints using extremely small, precise contractions. It is used when a joint is restricted in a specific direction.

What is muscle MET?

Muscle MET focuses on larger muscles and uses a stronger but still gentle contraction, usually around 20% of the client’s effort.

How these two approaches work together

Therapists often use muscle MET first to reduce general tone, then articular MET to fine-tune joint motion.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using too much force
  • Not monitoring the joint directly
  • Not waiting long enough during contractions
  • Skipping reassessment

Safety considerations

MET is extremely safe when performed correctly. The only real contraindication is an unstable fracture at the treatment site.

To learn both forms of MET in a structured, clinical way, see our Muscle Energy Technique Online Course.

To explore more orthopedic and clinical massage concepts, visit our Reference Library.

To start at the beginning of this series, read What Is Muscle Energy Technique (MET)? A Clinical and Practical Explanation.