Muscle activation technique (MAT) is a multi-tiered educational system that Lauren has been proficient in since its creation in 2002. Since then, she has watched it grow and improve while being a huge supporter and student of it for a long time. According to Lauren it largely influences how she works with individuals each day. It is a manual therapy that involves taking a look at joint symmetry in the human body and the ability of our muscles to contract. It assesses range of motion passively (on a table where the patient or client is staying relaxed). If muscles are weak in some areas and over developed in others, an MAT specialist will be able to assess you and provide you with skills and exercises to restore. After discussing MAT, Lauren and I shift gears and discuss a few biomechanical concepts as well as how forces and stresses are applied to our bodies.

“A doctor may prescribe medicine or surgery. [Fitness professionals] prescribe forces on people… A force has a specific point of application, a specific magnitude, and a specific direction. Forces must be placed strategically according to the structure… If a force is misapplied over a period of time in a way that violates that structure, that structure will diminish.”

Below are some of the main takeaways from this second part of my conversation with Lauren:

1. Muscle Activation Technique - Taking a look under the hood to find muscular imbalances and weaknesses
2. The science behind muscle contraction and muscular overuse
3. What an MAT specialist is looking for and how they assess clients
4. Breaking down the different MAT certifications and Lauren’s long journey to mastery
5. Biomechanics is the study of forces that are placed on or within living systems
6. Disruption of forces leads to injury
7. Every person has their own genetic blueprint
8. Bone structure differences on one side of the body
9. Joint clicking and popping - why might this be happening and how should we react to it?

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