About Muscle Energy Technique
MET: ULTRAPRECISE SOFT TISSUE APPROACH TO JOINT PAIN AND DYSFUNCTION
Muscle Energy Technique is an Osteopathic method of hands on treatment originally developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s by Fred Mitchell Sr., following inspiration from two fellow DOs: T.J. Ruddy and Carl Kettler. Initially Mitchell's "Muscular Energy" techniques were focused on the low back and pelvic joints, by providing a precise yet gentle localization of specific articular barriers and then coordinating with the patient to provide light muscular contractions and subsequent relaxation, in order to achieve improvement in joint pain and range of motion. The Mitchell Model of MET was the first to incorporate studies of biomechanics and apply it to Osteopathic Manual Medicine techniques. "MET sees its primary application in mobilization of both active and passive joints, and regards muscle spasm and tightness, when they occur, as neurological consequences of postural and locomotor adaptation to articular dysfunction, usually located elsewhere in the body."
Fred Mitchell Sr did not widely teach before his death in 1974, but he did happen to present to a group of very talented and very influential DOs in 1970 at the home of Dr. Sally Sutton, DO, in Fort Dodge, IA. It became known as the "Fort Dodge 6" and included: Sally, Devota Nowland, John Goodridge, Ed Stiles, Rolland Miller and Philip Greenman. Each went on to incorporate MET as a significant part of their practices and teaching, with Sally, Ed and Phil being the most significant with the teaching of MET. I (Seth) had met Dr Sutton around 2010 through a mutual friend and therapist, Allissa Harter and after our initial meeting, we developed a friendship and began working on recording her unique methods of MET over the course of 2 years. That material is currently unreleased. Sally died in Aug 2024.
One of the other key influences on the evolution and practice of MET, was Fred Mitchell Sr's son, Fred Mitchell Jr. Jr, in collaboration with first Moran and Pruzzo, published the first textbook dedicated strictly to Muscle Energy. Later Fred and his son Kai Mitchell, published (in my opinion) the most complete three volume set of textbooks dedicated to the science and art of MET. Following his father's death in 1974, Fred Mitchell Jr and others (Paul Kimberly, John Goodridge, Ed Stiles, Sally Sutton, Phil Greenman, etc) taught MET to Osteopathic Physicians and MDs until the early 2000s. These courses were broken down into 3 separate 40 hours courses: 1 basic and 2 advanced courses, separated into: below the diaphragm and above. Up until the early 1980s, these courses were strictly limited to DOs or MDs until a young PT by the name of Carl Steele, with a Masters in Anatomy arrived at MSUCOM and was allowed to attend.
In the 1970s, the first founding Dean of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr Myron Magen, set out to recruit the top talent across the country having expertise in Osteopathic Manual Medicine. During Magen's tenure, giants of Rehab Medicine such as: Fred Mitchell Jr, DO, John Mennell, MD, Paul Kimberly, DO, Phillip Greenman, DO, and John Bourdillion, MD taught as MSU. MET was integrated as part of MSUCOM's advanced post graduate training, exclusive to MDs and DOs. The first non-physician to attend was a PT named Carl Steele, who later completed DO training. Carl began assisting all of these advanced trainings throughout the 80s and 90s and following the retirement of the late, famed Phillip Greenman, took over as Course Chair of the Manual Medicine Series. Carl co-taught with every one of the pioneers of MET and has become one of the fields single biggest leaders and experts along with Ed Stiles, DO and Lisa DeStefano, DO. In 2024, I (Seth) was the first non-physician or non-DPT to be allowed to complete the series in it's original format and will be the first to take the exams, offered every 4-5 years. As of 2027, the original format of the courses will be decreased in hands on time and will no longer follow the initial course framework as established by the early MET pioneers. My hope and goal is to be one of the practitioners that helps to maintain the integrity of the tradition of MET practice for future manual therapy generations in story and in the clinic.
Seth with Lisa Chase, PT and Dr. Carl Steele, DO, following one of multiple MET trainings at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Seth and Osteopath Kai Mitchell, son of Fred Mitchell Jr and grandson of founder of MET: Fred Mitchel Sr.
Seth and Dr. Carl Steele, DO, following the 3rd 5-day MET training at MSUCOM