What is the Difference Between Autogenic and Reciprocal Inhibition?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Autogenic and reciprocal inhibition are two different techniques used in muscle energy therapy (MET) to treat musculoskeletal issues. Both techniques involve muscle stretching, but they differ in the specific muscles being stretched and the mechanism of inhibition.
Autogenic Inhibition:
- Involves the isometric contraction of the involved muscle.
- The muscle spindle is activated, causing a reflexive contraction in the agonist muscle.
- Self-induced, inhibitory, and negative feedback mechanism.
- Examples of autogenic inhibition MET techniques include Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) and Post Facilitation Stretching (PFS).
Reciprocal Inhibition:
- Involves the isometric contraction of the antagonist's muscle.
- The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) is activated, causing inhibition of the agonist muscle.
- Complementary actions occur between muscle pairs, such as one muscle contracting while its opposite muscle relaxes.
- Examples of reciprocal inhibition MET techniques include Reciprocal Inhibition MET, which involves the patient pushing towards the restriction/barrier while the therapist resists this movement.
In summary, the main difference between autogenic and reciprocal inhibition lies in the specific muscles being stretched and the mechanism of inhibition. Autogenic inhibition involves the isometric contraction of the involved muscle and the activation of the muscle spindle, while reciprocal inhibition involves the isometric contraction of the antagonist's muscle and the activation of the Golgi tendon organ. Both techniques are used in MET to address musculoskeletal issues and improve muscle function.
Comparative Table: Autogenic vs Reciprocal Inhibition
Autogenic and reciprocal inhibition are two types of reflex relaxations that occur in muscles. Here is a table comparing the differences between them:
Feature | Autogenic Inhibition | Reciprocal Inhibition |
---|---|---|
Definition | The ability of a muscle to relax while it experiences a stretch or increased tension. | The relaxation of the opposite muscle when the agonist muscle is contracting. |
Location | Occurs in the same muscle. | Occurs in the opposite muscle. |
Mainly Recognized By | Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO). | Muscle spindles. |
Purpose | Helps the muscle get rid of extreme tension and damage. | Protects muscles from injuries. |
Techniques | Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR), Post Facilitation Stretching (PFS). | Reciprocal Inhibition MET. |
Autogenic inhibition is mainly recognized by the Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO), while reciprocal inhibition is mainly recognized by the muscle spindles. Both types of inhibition help protect muscles from injuries and are used in various techniques, such as Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) and Post Facilitation Stretching (PFS) for autogenic inhibition, and Reciprocal Inhibition MET for reciprocal inhibition.
- Feedback Inhibition vs Feedback Repression
- Reversible vs Irreversible Inhibition
- Autonomic vs Somatic Reflexes
- Competitive vs Noncompetitive Inhibition
- Non-Competitive vs Allosteric Inhibition
- Autocrine vs Paracrine
- Autonomic vs Paratonic Movements
- Inverse Agonist vs Antagonist
- Excitatory vs Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
- Autoionization vs Autoprotolysis
- Reciprocal vs Nonreciprocal Translocation
- Autotomy vs Regeneration
- Inverse vs Reciprocal
- Somatic vs Autonomic Nervous System
- Autogenic vs Allogenic Succession
- Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Allosteric vs Covalent Modulation
- Autoinfection vs Retroinfection
- Positive Feedback vs Negative Feedback