Unlocking Better Movement: Dr. Carlos Explains the 180 System and Why Your Muscles May Not Be Firing Properly

At Advanced Physical Therapy & Wellness, we’re always looking for the most effective ways to help people move better, recover faster, and stay active for life. One of the techniques making a huge impact in our clinic is the 180 System, a specialized neuromuscular activation method used by Dr. Carlos, DPT.
In a recent conversation between Dr. Jen and Dr. Carlos, we broke down what the 180 System is, why muscles “shut off,” and how this technique helps patients feel and perform better.

What Is the 180 System?

According to Dr. Carlos:
“The 180 System is about getting your neuromuscular junctions to fire cleaner and more efficiently.”

In simple terms, it works by turning muscles back on - especially the ones that should be supporting your joints but aren’t doing their job. The system follows three key steps:

1. Facilitation

Using specific hands-on techniques, the therapist activates muscles that aren’t firing properly.

2. Endurance Building

Once a muscle is turned on, the next step is helping it stay on. This is where isometrics and dynamic movements come in.

2. Endurance Building

After muscles can activate and hold activation, strength training reinforces their new pattern so it sticks.

The result? A cleaner, more efficient movement system that reduces compensation, improves performance, and decreases injury risk.

Why Do Muscles “Shut Off” in the First Place?

This is something we see every day.
Dr. Carlos explains:

“On any given day, someone’s muscles may not be firing properly. If it happens for too long, that’s when injuries develop.”

There are many reasons this happens:

Repetitive Positions & Posture

How you sit in your car, how you work at your desk, how you hold your phone - it all adds up. Daily habits can put certain muscles to sleep while overworking others.

Training in a Single Plane

Runners, weightlifters, and fitness lovers often move mostly forward and backward.
“They stay in the same plane. They don’t get rotational or transverse movements, so smaller stabilizing muscles start shutting down.”
When small stabilizers stop doing their job, big prime movers take over - leading to tightness, irritation, and eventually pain.

Compensation Patterns

Your body is smart. It will always call on the big, strong muscles to get the job done - just like calling a tall, strong friend to help move heavy furniture instead of your 4'11" buddy with a sedan.
Over time, these compensations stack up and lead to injury.

How the 180 System Integrates With Other PT Techniques

The 180 System isn’t a standalone technique - it blends seamlessly with the broader skill set of a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

For example:

When Range of Motion Is Limited

If someone has frozen shoulder or tight hamstrings and cannot get into the test positions needed for 180 assessment:

• Gentle joint mobilizations
  
  
• Light static stretching (only initially)
  
  
• Techniques to improve mobility
  
  

…are used first.

Once Dr. Carlos can get the patient into the correct positions, he transitions into neuromuscular activation and then dynamic movement.

When Range Is Already Good

If mobility isn’t the issue, he jumps right into 180 activation, endurance work, and strengthening.

One of the Most Valuable Parts: Seeing What “Shuts Off” During Real Activity

This is where the system shines.

When a patient feels good at rest but symptoms show up during activity, Dr. Carlos uses a “stress test” approach:

1. The patient performs the activity - running, squatting, lifting, etc.
   
   
2. Once the pain or fatigue begins, they return to the table.
   
   
3. Dr. Carlos checks which muscles fatigued or shut off.
   
   
4. He reactivates those muscles and prescribes targeted corrective exercises.
   
   

For example:

“If a runner feels knee pain two minutes into a run, we know the endurance of certain muscles isn’t strong enough to last a mile. So we build that endurance until the muscle stays on the entire run.”

Over time, those muscles can hold activation longer—first hours, then a full day, then several days.

Why Our Patients Love the 180 System

• It identifies the true root cause - not just the painful area
  
  
• It wakes up the muscles that should be helping
  
  
• It reduces compensation and movement inefficiency
  
  
• It accelerates recovery
  
  
• It improves performance for athletes, runners, lifters, and active adults
  
  
• It’s gentle, effective, and personalized

Most importantly, it helps patients feel results fast.

Want to Experience the 180 System for Yourself?

If you’ve been dealing with stubborn pain, recurring injuries, or you just want to move and perform better, the 180 System might be the missing link.

Schedule a session with Dr. Carlos or our team at
Advanced Physical Therapy & Wellness
and let us help you get your muscles firing the way they’re supposed to.