Rehab technique pro athletes use offered in Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- When Peyton Manning joined the Denver Broncos in 2012, many fans were shocked he wasn't retiring. He had four neck surgeries in two years. However, Manning attributed part of his recovery to a technique that is offered in Houston.

The treatment Manning made popular is called MAT or muscle activation technique. MAT reboots the muscles in the body that haven't been working their best. When you do that, one fitness expert says clients can perform and feel better than ever.

One Houston woman says for most of her life she would work out, get injured, and take months off from exercising.

"I have one leg that's half an inch shorter than other leg, so my right back was constantly having issues when I worked out," Martha Benton said.

Then she turned to a personal trainer and MAT specialist for help.

"What MAT does is you use a range of motion and compare side to side, and you look for a side that's more limited to the other, because you're looking for a symmetry," said owner of Sculpt Fitness Heather Garrigus.

Once she finds asymmetry, she then stimulates the muscle.

"I'm getting into the attachment points of the muscle where the muscle's innervated by the nerves. So, the muscle's stimulated by the nerves, so basically, trying to talk to the brain again and say, 'Hey, we're down here. We want to start working again.'" Garrigus said. "It's not a massage, it's not pleasurable."

Common reasons people seek MAT are injuries, tightness, and over training. It improves range of motion, reduces pain, increases strength, and can lead to better results very quickly.

"I couldn't believe it worked that well and so instantaneously," Benton said.

Ten years after her first session, Benton has been injury-free for a decade.

"She's stronger now, she's more fit, she can do more. It's amazing to watch that progression over the time," Garrigus said.

Treatments cost about $100 for an hour-long session. Garrigus says the number and frequency of treatments is different for each person. However, MAT teaches you how to be in tune with your body and know when you'll need to give it some extra attention.