MUSCLE ACTIVATION TECHNIQUES (MAT)

I have not missed any games or practices.

“Before I received MAT in high school, I found myself regularly missing games for reoccurring left ankle sprains and lower back pain. After working with Kirk, those injuries have gone away and my body has become much more resilient. In my five years of catching at the Division I level, I have not missed any games or practices. With a little bit of luck combined with MAT work, I’m fortunate to have stayed completely healthy through the rigorous demands of college baseball. ”

MAT treatments have absolutely been the best thing my son did.

“Prior to MAT, my oldest son continued to play baseball with total body pain after years of being a pitcher/catcher. MAT treatments have absolutely been the best thing my son did for his overall mobility and well-being. It allowed him to physically play without pain.  MAT got his muscles firing and the entire process changed his outlook. And he’s still playing baseball as a pitcher/catcher in college. My younger son also had MAT treatments instead of a possible surgery route. After MAT, he continues to play baseball and other sports pain-free.”

Terry Wilson has helped all four of us through nagging injuries, sports injuries, and surgery.

“Terry Wilson has been a Godsend for our entire family.  He (along with Rick Emerson) has helped all four of us through nagging injuries, sports injuries, and surgery.  As a former athlete, my primary goal for both my kids has been injury prevention, but both have also seen big athletic gains on the court and in the pool as well. My daughter Megan began seeing Terry during swim season, and she saw immediate improvements in the seconds (monumental) which allowed her to qualify for State as a freshman. He then helped her transition to basketball and has taken great care of her feet, ankles and knees. I truly believe her transition from a low-impact sport to a high-impact sport would have created injury had we not had Terry’s help. We are so grateful for him!”

MAT is now an integral part of my fitness journey.

“When persistent knee pain started to keep me from running, I sought relief to return to the activities I love. Within a couple of sessions, Kirk was able to get me back to running pain-free! MAT is now an integral part of my fitness journey and has resolved issues that no amount of strength training, stretching, or icing could achieve. I am proud to say I recently finished my first ultramarathon, and I could not have done it without Athletic Training Institute!" 

MAT has helped me not get injured when I am put into substantial amounts of stress.

“I’ve been working with Kirk since high school and it has kept my body healthy. It helped me play and practice every day without any injuries. I have been amazed by the amount of stress my body can handle after doing MAT and not getting injured when I am put into substantial amounts of stress. MAT also helped me with my Achilles rehab and it helped me come back to the field stronger. I’m really fortunate to have access to MAT." 

I have experienced incredible results in injury prevention, recovery, strength, and consistency of motion.

“Since I began working with Kirk consistently in 2018... I have experienced incredible results in injury prevention, recovery, strength, and consistency of motion. MAT has heightened my bodily awareness and helped me correctly assess when a part of my body isn’t functioning properly. Prior to MAT, I had intermittent back, leg, and neck pain when competing. I recommend this technique to everyone... it has helped me change my life and performance. Thank you, Kirk.”

MAT increases my body’s ability to handle stress and therefore to perform better. 

“I’ve used MAT as a way to help recover from surgery or injury, but also as a way to stay flexible and pain-free through almost daily training and playing competitive senior golf. More specifically, MAT increases my body’s ability to handle stress and therefore to perform better. I have picked up several MPH of clubhead speed in the last year thanks to regular MAT sessions and focused resistance training at ATI."

After receiving MAT treatment I watched my body begin to heal itself.

“Before getting MAT I was struggling to be able to walk and do basic everyday activities without pain. As a D1 athlete, it was extremely frustrating since I was so used to high levels of activity. After receiving MAT treatment I watched my body begin to heal itself, even with a labrum tear and impingement within my hip. Even though I wasn’t able to function fully due to my injury, my body was still functioning with more range and strength than I had experienced in a long time. I made sure I was in the gym every day, completing the exercises Kirk Bradshaw provided, and the results did not disappoint me. I saw my body completely transform in a matter of 3-4 months. I not only felt better physically but also mentally. If someone was on the fence about receiving treatment, I can say that MAT exceeded my expectations and I can confidently state it was one of the smartest decisions I could have made to give it a try."

I really appreciate the fact that MAT isn't the same cookie cutter approach to wellness.

“About 5 years ago I experienced some problems with my back. I tried nearly everything until I went to ATI. I have been a loyal fan since. I really appreciate the fact that MAT isn't the same cookie cutter approach to wellness. It simply works... and keeps working after I leave. It has allowed me to go back to being the athletic person I want to be, including golfing. I am as big of fan as a person can be. Thanks ATI!"

MAT fixed my problems, not just relieved symptoms for a time.

“Before seeing Kirk for MAT I had battled constant pain and instability for years. After trying various methods of body treatments over the years with little improvement, my persistent chronic injuries left me feeling hopeless that I could ever recover, get my strength and mobility back, or live without daily headaches and neck/back pain.

Kirk was able to offer immediate relief by just getting me moving again and waking up muscles that had shut down a long time ago. It was a process, not an instant permanent fix, but I steadily continued to make progress and still do. Incorporating exercises with his precise instruction was a game-changer. Areas of weakness that had repeatedly shut down, started getting stronger till now the instability in my back is a rare symptom that can be quickly remedied, not my norm.

I truly feel that my body is stronger, more capable and definitely happier than I was a decade ago. I’ve also learned a vast wealth of knowledge about health from Kirk while talking through our sessions over the years and been supported by the different recovery therapies at the facility over the years. To anyone considering MAT, this is what actually fixed my problems, not just relieved symptoms for a time. My deepest gratitude to Kirk and ATI for all the restoration I’ve experienced!"

I found myself feeling stronger and less fatigued.

“My biggest challenge prior to getting MAT was staying healthy for an entire season. Once I started targeting my problem areas and doing exercises for those muscles, I found myself feeling stronger and less fatigued."

MAT has been one of the best investments for my body and long-term health.

“I first met Kirk and the ATI staff over a decade ago while preparing my body to reach the goal of playing college football. I can confidently say I wouldn’t have achieved this without his assistance. Their thirst for knowledge and improvement to stay up-to-date with every discovery in MAT is nothing short of impressive and is a sign of people who care about the health and well-being of their clients, not their ego for how things “have been done” in the past.

Kirk’s care for any individual he works with is apparent. He makes you feel like the most important client he has at that time, regardless of whether you’re one of the many professional athletes he sees daily or just an average Joe like me. This attitude is reflected throughout the entire culture no matter which trainer you see, and nothing is proof of this more than walking in and seeing the same people working there from the first-ever session I had as a kid.

When I moved back to Washington, I noticed my body breaking down from years of activity. I was constantly experiencing back pain and muscle strains, which made it challenging to enjoy the same quality of life I once had, so I knew Kirk was the one to contact. When I started receiving MAT again, I noticed an immediate difference, and my body felt ten years younger. My back and arm felt the best they had since I was a teenager, and I was blown away by the new techniques and improvements the entire MAT experience had to offer.

For anyone on the fence to see Kirk or the ATI team, you won’t be disappointed and can be confident that everything done for you is purposefully and results-driven. MAT has been one of the best investments for my body and long-term health."

Kirk and his MAT were able to get my shoulder back to 100% full range of motion and strength.

"In Aug 2020 I crashed on a mountain bike at Silver Mountain, dislocating my shoulder and shattering my humerus, not so humorous.  After being released from surgery, my orthopedic surgeon said Kirk Bradshaw is the best in the business to get me back to 100% strength and to avoid the dreaded frozen shoulder.

Kirk and his MAT were able to get my shoulder back to 100% full range of motion and strength.  The consistent leaps with each session was so motivating, after a devastating injury,  to watch my shoulder with limited range gain range and strength each session.  I am back to all my activities skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, travel, riding horse pilates and barre. I am eternally grateful for Kirk’s extensive knowledge and skills in keeping me moving and living healthy!!!"