What is SMRT?
Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique (SMRT) SMRT is a positional release modality developed in the 1990's by Dawn Lewis. The principles of SMRT are similar to Strain Counterstrain and PRT. When we use SMRT, we move the tissue or body part into a position of ease or comfort. In other words, if tissue is shortened, we shorten it further. What we believe is happening when we do passively move tissue into its existing pattern is described in a theory called Proprioceptive Theory.
Proprioceptive Theory states, in simple terms, that when tissue is in a dysfunctional pattern there is an imbalance in activity between the golgi tendon organs and the muscle spindle cells that leaves the muscle spindle cells more sensitive. This sensitivity leads to increased restriction and sustained contraction. SMRT positions decrease muscle spindle cell activity and restore length to shortened tissues.
Benefits of Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique
Clients receiving SMRT treatments have reported the following:
- that SMRT positions are incredibly relaxing giving them a feeling of euphoria
- that they feel like the smallest movements are working deep within their body
- Work done in an area after a SMRT move gets deeper without the pain
- reduction in pain while the position is being held
- decreased inflammation, typically after one or two positions
- increased movement when the session is over
- results that last longer then other therapies they have experienced
What is the benefit of SMRT for practitioners?
- faster results, we hold SMRT positions for 20 to 45 seconds
- easy on the therapist, positions should be done in a small, slow, controlled fashion.
- little to no pain for the client
- effective, lasting treatments
To be clear, Proprioceptive Theory is a theory that we subscribe to. There is a fair amount of research on both Strain Counterstrain and PRT that supports this theory. Research studies have not been done on SMRT, but SMRT therapists have 25+ years of (mostly) positive clinical outcomes done by thousands of SMRT therapists on tens of thousands of clients. If you would like more technical language or a greater understanding of how positional release modalities act on the nervous system, here are a few articles to look at (there are many more available):
https://www.quora.com/How-does-the-gamma-motor-neuron-affect-the-stretch-reflex
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273124893_Top-10_Positional-Release_Therapy_Techniques_to_Break_the_Chain_of_Pain_Part_1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_motor_neuron
More Benefits of Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique:
- Gets you into deep tissues, quickly and painlessly, without “digging deep.”
- Is extremely specific, giving you the ability to target even individual fibers within a muscle.
- Addresses structures beyond muscles; including, ligaments, tendons, and fascia.
- Is easy on your body.
- Is safe and effective for many otherwise contraindicated clients and conditions.
- Keeps your knowledge of anatomy fresh and working for you.
- Allows you to work in areas inaccessible to palpation (pelvic floor, inter-cranial tissues, joint interiors).
- Resets the neutral point between muscle spindle cells and golgi tendon organs.
- Resolves trigger points painlessly.
- Takes you to a new therapeutic level.
- Enhances all other modalities.
