Muscle Testing for Volleyball

Playing volleyball places a demand on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. In order to perform at your best level, it is critical that your muscles are functioning at their optimal capacity. Muscles send and receive information to the brain through your nerves and spinal cord. If the information to the brain is incorrectly communicated then muscle dysfunctions, decreased strength, speed, power or increased pain can occur.

Manual muscle testing is an excellent functional test to identify if muscles are inhibited (functionally “weak”) or facilitated (functionally “strong”). Even when there is no pain present, muscle dysfunctions can occur which can lead to injuries if not addressed. More importantly trying to rehabilitate a dysfuncitonal muscle may lead to further dysfunction or injury. I use muscle testing with every patient I assess. It is amazing to see muscles test “weak” and then using a variety of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue work, muscle re-education exercises, or taping techniques, then re-test the muscles and see them “strong” or activated after treatment!

If you want to get stronger, jump higher, and prevent injury, you need to get… MUSCLE TESTED!

Dr. Stephanie Anisko is the chiropractor for the Canadian Olympic Diving Team. She has provided chiropratic treatment to members of the Pakmen Volleyball Club since 2008 including the Men’s U18 National Championship Team. If you have questions about volleyball injuries or would like to have her assess you for injury risk, please email her at [email protected] or call (905) 812-0644 to book an appointment with her at AIM Health Group Mississauga.