As a personal trainer and MAT™ Specialist in Schaumburg, I am often telling people that they need to get their body tuned up with Muscle Activation Techniques™.  Why?  Because much like our cars need to get tuned up so they keep running well, our bodies need the same attention.  And just like our car’s check engine light that will illuminate when something is off, our body has a check engine light as well – pain, fatigue, exhaustion, achy muscles, sore joints, etc.

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Question:  When the check engine light of your car comes on, what do you do?

Do you immediately pull the car over, grab the toolset out of the trunk, and beat the dashboard in with the hammer until the light no longer lights up?  That would get rid of the bright light, right?

Or do you take out some black electrical tape and cover up the light?  That would keep you from seeing it, right?

Of course you don’t!  First, that light is merely an indicator that something is going on.  Second, there are numerous reasons why it could be on, none of which include the dashboard being in need of a random, violent beating or covered with electrical tape.

So what do you do?  You take your car to the mechanic and let the professional assess and figure out what’s going on.

That’s what MAT™ practitioners are able to do–assess your neuromuscular system and try to figure out if the check engine light of your body can be dimmed or shut off by improving the way your muscles contract.

Does MAT™ get rid of the check engine light every time?  Nope.  Does it have the potential to?  Maybe.  Is that the main goal of MAT™?  Nope.

Your check engine light might be illuminated for many reasons, one of which is inefficient contractile abilities of your muscles.  The muscles that need the most attention may not have any relation to where the light is shining the brightest.  Remember, the check engine light is just an indication of an issue and is not necessarily specific to the issue that needs attention.  Muscle Activation Techniques™ is a modality that can assess and improve how your muscles contract, potentially dimming that check engine light or shutting it off altogether.

Is the check engine light of your body shining?  Contact your local MAT™ specialist for a tune up!

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Charlie Cates

Charlie Cates is the leading consultant to high-level professional, college, & high school basketball players in the Chicagoland area for injury prevention, recovery, & muscle performance. As a certified Muscle Activation Techniques® MATRx practitioner & former college basketball player, he uses his personal experience & understanding of the game & player demands to create customized exercise options for his clients to recover faster & perform their best. He is certified in the highest levels of MAT®, including MATRx, MATRx Stim, and MAT® Athlete. Follow him on Instagram @CharlieCates!