Muscle Activation Technique (MAT)
Get your muscles working the way they should
If movement feels restricted, or training keeps flaring the same problem, MAT can help find out why.
We assess your range of motion, test the muscles that control it, and use precise techniques to get underperforming muscles working again. Then we recheck, so you can feel the difference.
At a glance
How MAT works at Apex
Hands on sessions with Kate that test your muscles, get them working again and recheck the result.
- First session
- 90 minutes
- Follow ups
- About 45 minutes
- With
- Kate Bolia
- Where
- Apex Dunwoody studio
The MAT process
Five steps, every session
Assess
We measure and compare your movement side to side to find restrictions.Test
We test individual muscles to find the ones that aren't contracting properly.Activate
Gentle palpation or isometric holds help reactivate those muscles.Retest
We test the muscle again to make sure it responded.Reassess
We recheck your range of motion and agree on next steps.
Working with Kate
Sessions built around your goals
Kate Bolia has more than 15 years of MAT experience. You are involved the whole way through, moving into different positions with her guidance while she works out which muscles need attention.
If you want to get back to training, move with more confidence or deal with a problem that keeps coming back, your sessions are built around you.
Prolonged sitting is a common culprit. Hip flexors get tight, glutes switch off, and neck and shoulder muscles end up doing too much. MAT finds the muscles that have stopped doing their job and helps get them working again.
In the studio
MAT sessions at Apex Dunwoody
Learn more
What is Muscle Activation Technique?
Muscle Activation Techniques, or MAT, is a system for assessing and correcting muscle imbalances. It was developed by Greg Roskopf, who worked with professional sports teams, and is now used by trained specialists around the world.
The idea is simple. When a muscle isn't contracting well, often after an injury, stress or long periods of sitting, other muscles take over to protect you. Over time that leads to tightness, pain and restricted movement. MAT finds the muscles that have switched off and helps get them working again, so your joints are better supported.
MAT vs massage vs stretching
| Category | Massage | Stretching | MAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Relaxing tight tissue | Lengthening tight muscles | Getting weak muscles working again |
| Thinking behind it | Tight muscle is the problem | Tight muscle is the problem | Tightness is often protection for weakness elsewhere |
| How progress is checked | How it feels | Range of motion | Range of motion and muscle tests before and after |
Who MAT helps
People with nagging pain or stiffness, athletes and active adults who keep getting the same injury, people recovering from surgery or injury, and anyone who sits for long hours and feels it.
"Kate is very professional, welcoming, and really takes the time to explain everything and tailor it to what my body needs. I feel stronger, more balanced, and noticed improvements I hadn't been able to get from other approaches."
Jordan McManus★★★★★
Questions about MAT
Still have a question? Call us on 470 823 2228 or send us a message and we will get back to you.
How long is a MAT session?
Your first session is 90 minutes. Follow up sessions usually last about 45 minutes.
How many sessions will I need?
Everyone responds differently. Injuries and chronic issues don't develop overnight, so it is rare to resolve everything in one visit. Most clients do best with a series of sessions spaced about a week apart, depending on the issue.
Does MAT cure conditions like arthritis or tendonitis?
No. MAT doesn't cure medical conditions. It helps by improving muscle function and joint stability, which supports your body's recovery.
Can MAT help my sport or my recovery from injury?
Yes. Many athletes have muscles that aren't firing well, which leads to compensation. Restoring that function can improve stability, strength and control, and help you get back to your sport.
Do I need to be in a care program?
No. You can book MAT on its own at our Dunwoody studio, subject to availability.
Is MAT painful?
MAT is a gentle, hands on technique. Your practitioner checks in with you throughout and works within what feels comfortable.
Move without holding back
Book your first MAT session and find out which muscles have stopped pulling their weight. You will leave with a clearer idea of what is going on and what to do next.
Visit Apex Dunwoody
Our Dunwoody studio
1709 Mt. Vernon Road, Suite C, Dunwoody, GA 30338 · 470 823 2228 · info@aplwellness.com
Mon to Thu, 9 AM to 6 PM · Fri, 9 AM to 3 PM · Sat and Sun, by appointment
1709 Mt. Vernon Road 
