On Reflexive Techniques and RDTs

My cat knows how to ask for food. It's simple and it makes sense. She's figured it out, and so have i. Just signals, feedback, and recalibration. If time eventually proves us both wrong, it will not stop me in the meantime from doing what we know from experience to consistently work.
My cat knows that, too. She meows. I get her snacks.

In testament to the soundness of the initial thought behind (let's generalize) reflexive techniques (or attempts at development of such), if you toss the idea around, people will say they've heard about it somewhere. I'm no genius. I'm certain someone else must have figured these things out. Perhaps a tribe somewhere. Perhaps in the same place JPB first heard of VM from. Perhaps it's just the RCTs that lag.

We have all known about reflexive inhibition and have used it as a tool in clinics for the longest time now.
Has not everyone on these fora used indirect muscle energy techniques, positional releases and lymphatic drainage and vascular restarts? If the monosynaptic reflex is so well described that no one questions its validity, how hard it to imagine that people have tried to utilize it as a treatment mechanism? Isn't that initial notion behind METs?
Do you now think it might be possible to use relfexes as a treatment mechanism?
Let's stretch that notion, then. How often do see a purely monosynaptic reflex in practice?

Programmed reactions occur in response to noxious stimuli. They are never just monosynaptic in the living organism, are they? Stick your finger in fire and watch several muscles fire off automatically. Pull off a great prank to Startle someone and a well choreographed set of muscles set off a startle and guard reflex. Several muscles in response to one stimulus. Think about it.

Now, what if you could do specific stimuli on purpose, with the intent of reversing or stimulating established reflexes? Could you not then stimulate muscles, that reflexively atagonize targetted muscle groups? Could that be a way to reverse guarding and relax even groups of muscles along synergistic patterns?

Most curiously something i say at every sharing session we've ever had is echoed in your boards: "If I have been able to see farther, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants."
(Sir Isaac Newton)


I'm trying to remember who said it first, but there is "nothing ever new under the sun - just a new understanding, or a rediscovery of what was lost." (My paraphrasing.)

Has anyone here ever tried to meet with the best minds they could, with the intent of solving something, of doing something better?

What happens when you do that with every single good technique you come across?

"Take what is useful, discard what is not." (Parapharased from Mas Omaya)

Have you ever had an "a-ha" or "eureka!" moment when it all just suddenly made sense? Could not something new emerge from that moment, from that idea?


This, if anything else, is an invitation to test everything vigorously. Test what you know. Test what you don't know. The blind faith of acceptance is not much different from the blind faith of rejection. These things are so well primed and fueled by fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of what is unfamiliar. Fear of what could destroy acceptance or the status quo. For us, it has just been a choice:
Do we keep doing what does not work, or what does not work so well? Do we keep doing something for which the evidence is so well stacked against? Do we succumb to fear, or do we choose to see what works?

Do we test everyhting, or are we fine with the rut we're stuck in?

Do we want better for our patients, or do we just stay in the boat we've always been stuck in?

Depends, doesn't it? Does your boat work?

The best description i've heard of insanity stems from the NLP community:
Insanity is when we "keep doing what we've always been doing, and then continually expect different results."


These are just thoughts.

Perhaps that is where evolution starts. A thought.

My cat meows a certain way, motions to the shower, then to the faucet. I get her a bowl of water. She meows approvingly, assuring me i've got it right. I'm well trained. She trained me well. Faster than any teacher and master i've ever trained with.

Meow.

our understanding of the mechanics of METs is incomplete

Someone asked for info on this, hence this repost.
I have respected the copyright of the author by witholding the complete text.

TITLE:
A study Investigating the effects of osteopathic muscle energy technique on the viscoelasticity of skeletal muscle
AUTHOR(S):
Ghassan Y. Al Araji, Unitec New Zealand
DOCUMENT TYPE: Masters Dissertation
PUBLICATION STATUS: unpublished
YEAR COMPLETED: 2006
NUMBER OF PAGES: 98
DEGREE: Master of Osteopathy, Unitec New Zealand
INSTITUTION: Unitec New Zealand
ADVISOR: Gutnik, Boris
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT:
Copyright restriction for articles

This digital work is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). It may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use:
• Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person.
• You will recognise the author’s and publishers rights and give due acknowledgement where appropriate.
COPYRIGHT HOLDER: Ghassan Al Araji
• Download the Document (PDF format - 34.6 MB) - November 2007
• Tell a colleague about it.
ABSTRACT:
This study was performed to investigate the effects of an osteopathic treatment technique (muscle energy technique) on the viscoelasticity of skeletal muscle (biceps brachii). Fifteen 18-30 year old healthy non obese right handed male volunteers participated. Data collection was undertaken over four days with each subject attending two sessions separated by an interval of 1 day. On day one, three measurements of muscle viscoelasticity (stiffness, power of resistance) were taken from each individual participant’s left biceps brachii muscle. Measurements were made using a purpose designed force dial viscoelastometer. This device is designed to perform incremental compression of tissue and to calculate stress - strain data for muscle tissue during periods of controlled deformation. On day two, three measurements were again taken followed by five 10 second cycles of muscle energy technique on the subject’s left biceps brachii muscle; three further measurements were again taken post intervention. Analysis of deflection and resistance of the measuring probe was then plotted as a linear equation (y = kx +b). The deformed muscle tissue was conceptually modelled and represented using 3 subsequent springs in series, representing 3 different compartments (layers) of skeletal muscle. Indices of total compressive stiffness of skeletal muscle and specific power of resistance during tissue compression were calculated using multiple mathematical formulas. A comparative statistical analysis between pre-intervention and post-intervention data was performed with the single tailed paired samples t-test from the software program SPSS 12.0.1 for Windows. There was no significant difference in stiffness (95% CI = -0.06419 to 0.23786 degrees; t = 1.233; df = 14; P < 0.238) and power of resistance (95% CI = -0.00804 to 0.01988 degrees; t = -0.910; df = 14; P < 0.378) between pre-intervention and post-intervention states. After intervention the stiffness and power of resistance of the biceps brachii muscle did not decrease. The Cohen’s d post-hoc test showed that the effect size of the intervention was considered to be small, low, minor. No significant individual difference was demonstrated in terms of the stiffness (95% CI = -0.36715 to 0.07369 degrees; t = -1.428; df = 14; P < 0.175) and power of resistance (95% CI = -0.02503 to 0.01245 degrees; t = -0.719; df = 14; P < 0.484) between pre-intervention (baseline) trials for each subject. This study demonstrates that muscle energy technique did not decrease indices of viscoelasticity (stiffness and power of resistance) of the biceps brachii muscle. These findings encourage further research on the physiological background of MET.
PRIMARY SUBJECT CATEGORY: Medical and Health Sciences (320000)
PBRF SUBJECT CATEGORY: Other health studies (including rehabilitation therapies)
KEYWORDS: Muscle energy technique, Muscle viscoelasticity

Re the lumbar spine and joint play

Someone asked for help on these, hence this repost:

Coupling Behavior of the Lumbar Spine: A Literature Review
Chad Cook, PhD, PT, MBA, OCS, COMT

Abstract: Coupling behavior has been described as fundamental to the theory of lumbar biomechanics. Different manual therapy approaches use discrepant coupling biomechanical models. Despite these inconsistencies, coupling models have been frequently used in the management of low back pain. The purpose of this paper is to investigate evidence for the use of coupling biomechanical modeling in manual therapy assessment and treatment. The findings of this paper suggest that use of a single dogmatic lumbar spinal coupling approach utilizing a side-bend initiation may not be appropriate and could lead to unreliable findings. The use of rotation initiation needs further consideration. Coupling behavior may be more consistent if rotation is initiated first, however there is insufficient evidence to substantiate this view.

The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 11 No. 3 (2003), 137 - 145

Four Cardinal Principles of Joint Mobilization and Joint Play Assessment
John R. Stevenson, PhD, PT, CEA, Dan W. Vaughn, PT, MOMT

Abstract: The teaching and learning of fundamental principles that guide valid and effective assessment and intervention techniques in joint mobilization is a basic foundation to those health professions that make use of manual therapy. Such principles help establish the specificity of manual therapy techniques, the foremost quality of 'best practice.' However, authors of few textbooks or reference books devote space to establishing such fundamental principles for learners and practitioners of manual therapy techniques. The purpose of this paper is to present four cardinal principles that have impressed us, over our years as educators and clinicians, as the foundation for the teaching and practice of sound manual therapy techniques for either joint play assessment or joint mobilization. These principles are utilized in practice from entry-level to master clinicians, they can guide educators as to how to introduce and monitor effective manual therapy skills among students and colleagues, and they can also serve as a source of refreshment for experienced clinicians who desire continuing education for maintenance of their hands-on skills in manual therapy interventions and assessment.

The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 11 No. 3 (2003), 146 - 152

Management of a Patient with Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Correlation of Hip Range of Motion Asymmetry with Sitting and Standing Postural Habits
Phillip H. Warren, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC

Abstract: The purpose of this case report is to describe the clinical management of a patient with sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) and a concomitant asymmetrical hip-joint rotation range of motion. The patient was a 53-year-old male whose chief complaint was right low back pain (LBP) that interfered with work and leisure activities. Physical therapy consisted of manual therapy, stretching, and postural education to address SIJ and hip motion abnormalities. At the conclusion of 6 visits, the hip-joint rotation range of motion was more symmetrical. The patient reported self-correction of unilateral standing and sitting postures. He returned to full-time work and to playing golf, and he rated pain at 0-1/10. This patient's asymmetrical hip-joint rotation range of motion may have been associated with SIJD, either as a result of trauma or subsequent habitual postural adjustments. Clinician awareness of the possible relationship between SIJD and asymmetrical hip joint rotation range of motion is recommended.

The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 11 No. 3 (2003), 153 - 159

Effects of a manual therapy technique in experimental lateral epicondylalgia

Slater, Helen and Arendt-Nielsen, Lars and Wright, Antony and Graven-Nielsen, Thomas (2005) Effects of a manual therapy technique in experimental lateral epicondylalgia , Manual Therapy.


Abstract

In patients with lateral epicondylalgia, mobilization-with-movement (MWM) is used as an intervention aimed at achieving analgesia and enhancing grip force, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are unclear. The present study investigated the acute sensory and motor effects of an MWM intervention in healthy controls with experimentally induced lateral epicondylalgia. Twenty-four subjects were randomly allocated to either a MWM or a placebo group (n 1⁄4 12). In both groups, to generate the model of lateral epicondylalgia, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was provoked in one arm 24 h prior (Day 0) to hypertonic salineinduced pain in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle (Day 1). Either a MWM or placebo intervention was applied during the saline-induced pain period. Saline-induced pain intensity (visual analogue scale: VAS), pain distribution and pain quality were assessed quantitatively. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were recorded at the common extensor origin and the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. Maximal measures of grip and wrist extension force were recorded. In both groups (pooled data), DOMS was efficiently induced as demonstrated by a significant decrease in pre-exercise to pre-injection PPT at the common extensor origin (45719%) and at the extensor carpi radialis brevis (61723%; Po0:05), and a significant decrease in maximal grip force (2576%) and maximal wrist extension force (40712%; Po0:001). Moreover, both groups experienced a significant increase in muscle soreness (3.970.2; Po0:0001) at Day 1 compared to pre-exercise. During saline-induced pain and in response to intervention, there were no significant between-group differences in VAS profiles, pain distributions, induced deep tissue hyperalgesia or force attenuation. These data suggest that the lateral glide-MWM does not activate mechanisms associated with analgesia or force augmentation in subjects with experimentally induced features simulating lateral epicondylalgia.

re when we treat leg length discrepancies

axcerpted from the Review

Anatomic and functional leg-length inequality: A review and recommendation for clinical decision-making. Part II, the functional or unloaded leg-length asymmetry
by Gary A Knutson *

Conclusion
Anatomic leg-length inequality under 20 mm and leg¬length alignment asymmetry caused by supra-pelvic mus¬cle hypertonicity may interact in a loaded (standing) pos¬ture, but not in an unloaded (prone/supine) posture. Any leg-length alignment asymmetry due to suprapelvic mus-cular hypertonicity should be eliminated before any nec-essary treatment of anatomic leg-length inequality. By using this information, which is open to change based on new studies, the clinician may better understand the diverse and sometimes confusing findings relative to ana¬tomic leg-length inequality and functional or unloaded leg-length alignment asymmetry, and be better able to make treatment recommendations.

Passive prone technique notes

These notes are not meant for manual med specialists with weak hearts. If that fits your constitutional makeup, please, kindly back off NOW.

Anyone who’s learned PPTs with us, this is for you and anyone else brave enough to breathe with their eyes open.

Since some of us so very much love a good debate, let’s play!

Point of argument:

A working model for pelvic articulation must satisfy these working criteria:
1. It has to account for the walking action of the legs
2. It has to account for how the vertebral spine moves to complement the biomechanics of walking.
3. It has to act as a precursor for the lumbar spine to side-bend and rotate in non-neutral (both forward and backward bending)
4. It has to act as precursor for thoracic spine rotation with lumbar neutral and forward bending.
5. It has to block thoracic backward bending.
6. The pelvis should not dislocate when completing the first four items.

Since, as one of my buds says, “talk is cheap, and nothing slides like bullshit,”
Let's try an experiment. Proof, man, show us some cold friggin proof!

Test “A” for rotation.
1. Ask a colleague to sit sideways on the plinth, with buttocks even, and feet planted firmly flat on the floor.
2. Weight should be equally balanced at both buttocks.
3. Stay behind your colleague and place your hands around the pelvis, to block or completely immobilize it.
4. This isolates lumbar rotation as a motion without contribution from the pelvis.
5. Now, if muscles are the singular cause of lumbar rotation. The L3 joint can still rotate.
a. Ask your colleague to rotate their lumbar region slowly in either direction.
b. Be very careful not to force the rotation to the point of engaging the pelvis and leverage.
c. keep the pelvis immobile.
d. The result of this test is that the lumbar spine blocks after a mere few degrees of rotation.
e. Now we know that the L3 joint can’t rotate far with the pelvis immobilized

Test “B” for side-bending.
1. As with previous experiment, we block the pelvis.
2. This time, we engage the lumbar spine in side bending to either side.
3. We likewise find that side bending is restricted to mere few degrees.





Test “C” for combined side bending and rotation
1. blocking the pelvis, ask your colleague side-bend their lumbar spine as best they can toward one side and then attempt to rotate to the opposite side
2. Now, if Freyette’s laws are correct, This combination movement should account for real-world lumbar rotation in neutral / forward bending (these are Bayliss-adapted conventions; In other words, side-bending to one side with rotation to the other side should occur nicely with the spine in AP neutral).
3. We however find that the amount of rotation possible remains minimal at the lumbar vertebrae.

Test “D” for combined rotation and side-bending
1) The same experiments as previous can be repeated, blocking the pelvis and this time starting with
a) lumbar rotation
b) followed by side bending to the same side.
2) This, according to Fryette’s laws of traditonal spinal mechanics, Is how the lumbar vertebrae in work in non-neutral / extension. (Translation: with the spine engaged extended, rotation and side-bending should occur nicely to the same side)
Conventions used here:
1) By extension, we mean that the lumbar spine is in either neutral or forward bending.
2) Again, lumbar extension is here meant to signify lumbar spine being either neutral or forward bent.

Reason for conventions:
When a bone is brought towards bone by contraction of the muscle between those bones, that’s “flexion,” isn’t it? Now, where are the muscles that contract when the lumbar spine bends backward? So isn’t that “flexion?”
For simplicity, then, let’s stick to “forward-bending” and “backward-bending.” It’s just so much clearer.
Discussion:
1) trying out the same experiment in neutral or forward-bending for combined rotation and Side-bending to the same side, we find that rotation is not improved.
2) These simple tests shows that isolated combinations of
a) Local side-bending and rotation and of
b) Local rotation and side bending for the lumbar spine do not and can’t account for the observed real-world amount of lumbar rotation.
I have included the convention of “local” to signify isolation of biomechanics to the segments tested, with no contribution from the SIJ. This is in keeping with the premise of Fryette’s mechanics in the pure form they are presented in textbooks.

Test E.
Adding pelvic side bending:
1) With your colleague in the same position as previous, prop a one-inch thick block or book under the right ischial tuberosity.
i) This side-bends the sacrum to the left. Have a look.
ii) The lumbar spine becomes side-bent to the left as well. Note that the sacrolumbar spine acts biomechanically as one unit here.
2) Now, ask your colleague to rotate to the right, making sure to block all pelvic side-shift to the left. (Side-bent left, rotated right).
3) Note that, in comparison to the previous experiments, Your colleague will be able to rotate further to the right for the lumbar area tested.
4) With the pelvis merely held in horizontal, We observe that the circumferential range of rotation does not equal what we notice in the real world , Insofar as lumbar rotation goes

Pelvic criteria:

Test “F.”
Add a side shift left, still in lumbar flexion, with the patient is same position as in previous, with a block under the right buttocks. (Side-bent left, rotated right, ischial tuberosity elevation Right, pelvic translation left)
Observe that the lumbar spine automatically rotates to the right without any muscular leverage within the sufficient range reflective of what we notice usually happens. This is a range of motion traditionally ascribed as a local lumbar capability phenomenon. We have taken for granted that Fryette mechanics are a local vertebral phenomenon.

Observe the thoracic spine.

Thoracic Experiment one:
1) Repeat the above test. With your colleague sitting up straight, notice that the thoracic spine refuses to rotate right.
2) It is important not to force it to rotate.
a) The thoracic spine is designed to restrict rotation in thoracic (extension) backward bending.
b) This automatic blocking mechanism does occur for forward bending and neutral.
Thoracic Experiment two:
1) In same position as above, side shift the pelvis to the right (rather than the left, as done previously.)
2) This causes the pelvis automatically rotate right, and almost automatically level out on the horizontal plane.
a) Observe how the thoracic spine automatically rotates to the right, together with the pelvis and lumbar spine.
b) On top of this collective rotation of the thoracic vertebrae, there is also an independent movement of the thoracic vertebra into rotation right and side-bending left.
c) Notice how this collection of movements in combination sufficiently mimics the ranges of segmental motion we regularly observe.

These tests basically tell us that the pelvis provides the angle plus side-shift that enables lumbar and thoracic vertebrae movements we take for granted.

We may extend our studies to walking thus:

Setting aside the role of muscles, isolating for bony articulation, we note that walking involves several forces. The main forces involved are:
1. Weight-bearing and leaning.
2. Leg lifting and direction.
3. The changing angles of the Ilia and hip joint.
4. The reciprocal action of the sacroiliac joints.
5. Lumbar vertebral accomodation for this action.
6. the action or contribution of side shift

These notes were based on the highly esteemed and much recommended work of JR Bayliss, D.O.
This intro appears in abbreviated form in the Mini Manual for Manual Medicine by
S. Strix Toledo www.manualmedsolutions.org www.manualmed.blogspot.com

introduction to mechanisms behind RDTs; www.manualmedsolutions.org

'Rapid De-afferentation Techniques' (R.D.T.s, or RDTs)are a system of soft-tissue rapid-release techniques. These techniques have the commonality of being able to quickly break the nociceptive cycle for somatic dysfunctions. Some of the RDT methods bear resemblance to ease techniqes of osteopathic manipulation. Other parts of the system are derived from postitional releases and muscle energy techniques. The protocols also tend to include vascular improvement and lympahtic drainage techniques. Elements of proprioceptive, mechanoceptive, and direct muscle stimulation are evident. The reflexive techniqes for soft tissue release appear to be unique versus references in the general medical and peer-reviewed manual medicine literature. There is thus a dearth of material to compare RDTs with. For anyone interested in pusuing study of RDTs, a good understanding of the fundamental mechanisms will significantly reduce the learning curve. The work of Eyal Lederman and Leon Chaitow is an excellent place to start. Even in books you already have, there is already a wealth of material on PNFs, METs, reflexes, proprioception, mechanoception, reflexive inhibition, adaptation, facilitation, somatic dysfunctions, and higher center involvement in LMN function. The sceience is out there. I'ts the approach that appears radically different. This is a clinically heavily utilixed set of protocols with remarkable results. There are unfortunately not yet any large-scale randomized controlled double-blinded meta studies on Rapid De-afferentation techniques. Clinical studies progressing from case studies, series, and case-control to full RCT are suggested. A study of both the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of treatment arms and full RDT protocols is recommended.

The science behind RDTs

you already have the science well studied.
The work of Eyal Lederman and Leon Chaitow is an excellent place to start.
Even in books you already have, there is already a wealth of material on PNFs, METs, reflexes, proprioception, mechanoception, reflexive inhibition, adaptation, facilitation, somatic dysfunctions, and higher center involvement in LMN function.
The sceience is out there. I'ts the approach that is radically different.

There are unfortunately not yet any large-scale randomized controlled double-blinded meta studies on Rapid De-afferentation techniques. Mainly because there isn't anyone we've been able to compare results with. The techniques are different. The results are different. Strong multicenter protocols for dissecting this work have not been built.

Next reason is because we're clinicians. We just don't have the time yet to crunch numbers and do all the studies ourselves. If academicians want to come up and do the studies, we're open to that. Meantime, we're too busy to do paperwork explaining to the world the WHY of how we've getting the amazing results that we do get.

We can show you several gigs of info on the science of it all, but wouldn't you rather see results?

Manual Medicine - Integration - Module 5

First off , we'd like to thank the wonderful people that joined us at our last workshop (June 14 2009 at AICA Pasig Philippines). We were also priveledged that day to have been joined by someone who flew in from Cebu just to join us for this series. (Might as well thank the people from Singapore who joined us for LS Intesive, too! Thanks!).

This section in parentheses is brought to you by my second Grande mug of brewed coffee. Please skip this section if you are the type who is easily offended, or if you're in love with Philippine Govenment:
[We'd also like to thank naysayers who limit themselves by saying that it just isn't possible to share that much info and such a large skillset in one day (the thinking goes, im told: "i don't think that's possible, therefore it isn't. therefore it's bullshit, and therefore i don't have to go.") My friend Steph has a term for that: "the curse of the familiar:" to be stuck with what you have because you're too chicken to find out how much more you can hack and handle!]

We shared quite a few things that day, (June 14 2009) including, but not limited to:
1. How to use proprioception, mechanoception, joint position sense, active recruitment, and various advance muscle energy techniques to deliver a therapeutic treatment for our patients.
2. How it's possible to reduce treamtment time from 18 session to 18 minutes.
3. How "everything is connected." By example, how an action on the distal shin can open up a rotator cuff injury
4. How PPTs simplify everyhting.
5. How RDTs are bound to piss off a lot of practitioners.
6. How to find and use pain as an indicator, and how to eliminate pain on the spot.
7. The influence of the viscera on somatic dysfucntions
8. How mechanical dysfunctions transmit upward
9. How to use biomechanical instability and occipital drop levelness in identifying single vertebral dysfunctions.

We're hoping you join us on the 21st of June as we dissect:
1. Harmonics
2. Biomechanics
3. How to find the primary somatic dyfunction

If you've ever been to any of our workshops, you also know you'll get:
1. answers to anything manual med related
2. nice plug-ins by the boys

We also will be priveledged that day to have with us the Bowen Technique Practitioners (would you believe it's a Diploma course?)

Reminder for participants:
1. Practice, practice, practice! This is a hands-on thing.
2. Have fun with it!
3. Look for pain, but respect it.
4. get rid of pain. Because you can.
5. Bring a towel.
6. Bring really loose of really tight clothing, or anything you can easily shed or move aside.
7. Get familiar with your partner's behind.
8. Clean underwear is always a good idea.

Cost sharing for your skills upgrade investment for that day is just Php 1,500.
Join us for an hour for just Php 500.
Free for anyone who joined us last 14 June 2009.
Free for anyone who's ever worked with the MMG.
Contact:
0927 451 5589 - Harold Cacao
0906 216 0789 - Dionne Chua

why not also visit our friends?:
www.manualmedsolutions.org
www.bowentechnique.ph
findlawrence.com
osteopathy for all at yahoo groups
bowen technique at yahoo groups

With perpetual thanks to
Leon Chaitow, JR Bayliss, Steve Davidson, and Sharon Weiselfish-Giammateo.

NOW, Isn't it nice to read something that isn't about a sex scandal?

Stay blessed.

Yours in the continued evolution of Manual Medicine,

What is Fascia and how does Bowen Therapy affect it?

From our friends at ABT: Part 1 - June 7th, 2009 We offer the pointed musings below on Fascia as a discussion stimulator in Part 1 of our Fascia and Bowen Therapy series. Please post your comments and additions below the key points raised below. * Fascia, a component of connective tissue, is a form of packing material for the body, providing lines of stress/shock absorption and structural integrity. * Fascia envelopes muscles, bones and joints and holds us together and upright. * Fascia supports the body structure giving rise to our shape/form. * Fascia organizes and brings together as well as separates individual structures. * Fascia provides protection for the individual muscles and viscera. * Fascial sheaths also join and bonds separate individual muscles, establishes spatial relationships for function and movement. * It is the collagenous component in the fascia that enables it to change and reorganize. * Collagen is a colloid material capable of changing from solid to fluid form and vice-versa depending on the forces (negative or positive) acting upon it. The piezoelectric component of the Bowen “move” initiates this change, however movement and applying direct force along lines of fascia can also help to facilitate further change. * Chronic or unnatural tensions acting upon our structure can help influence changes towards shortening and hardening the ground-matrix causing sticking or adhesions upon fascial sheaths and muscle shortening. * The Bowen “move” can help to rehydrate fascial components, restoring elasticity. This can have an affect all alone, or as a primer to more direct work in cases that require this, thus causing lasting changes. * Simply by inhibiting motion our fascia; tendons, capsules and ligaments can lost their flexibility * Dehydrated and immobile fascia can adhere to itself and other fascial layers causing collagen fibers to shorten and coil into itself giving rise to trigger points, entraping nerves, blood and lymph vessels thus limiting range of motion through our joints. * Initiating a re-hydration of fascia through Bowen Therapy can unwind many of the negative effects of chronic tension, immobility and stress as well as act as a primer to other work and movement training systems. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our workshop on the 21st of June 2009 will include a full treatment from the country's original Bowen Diplomates. If you can find Harold and Dionne at the PPTA, you can find the Manual Medicine Group. See you then and there! yours in the evolution of our field,

What is the BOX?

The Manual Medicine Group
humbly invites you to its 4th module for
Integration: Basics and Beyond
A Manual Medicine Synthesis

would you pardon us for being nosey?

First Question:
If the newest protocols worldwide have been saying that we shoudl treat PAIN as the fifth vital sign, WHY DON"T WE?
Why have we been NOT taught how to do that?

Second Question:
Are you still in the BOX?
If you're still doing "the box:" just HMP TENS UTZ IR STRETCH,
this is an opportunity to step beyond the results you've been stuck in.

If you're already outside the box, this is your chance to see not only a bigger box, but the fact that THERE IS NO BOX.

Your limitations are the ones you set.
Our best definition of insanity:
to keep doing what we used to do
and to insist on getting different results.

If you're happy with your
structural
funtional
ADL-based results,
this is not for you.

But thank you for having read this far. Bye, now!


Still here?

If you might in the least be intrigued by the possibility of doing in 18 minutes more and better for your patient than you've ever before been able to do in 18 loooooong sessions, this sharing session is for you.

This may offer you insight into why a small group of therapists around the globe hardly do:
taping
long exercises
ultrasound

It's not that these things don't work - just that some things work better, faster, more profoundly, with lingering results.


Distressingly, you can find out why an even smaller group of practitioners worldwide know how to do high velocity thrusts, but now HARDLY EVER NEED TO.

This is an opportunity how everything you've ever learned works better with:
1. articulatory techniques
2. harmonics
3. multiplanar (seven degrees of freedom) positional releases
myofascial direct, indirect, local, nonlocal, stacked, and synergistic releases

This is an opportunity to learn new acronyms that turn your clinic hours into productive playtime: (and we'll show you how to use them, too:)
1. RDTs
2. PPTs

This is an opportunity to get pissed off at having to learn all of the wrong biomechanics in school (so verry sorrry.) This is also an opportunity to learn things that actually work on the spot, without having to "shove things into place."

This is an opportunity to learn the best stuff we've seen for the physical rehab field in decades.

This is an opportunity to resolve problems with your hands, be it for:
nerves
muscles
ligmaments
bones
joints
tendons
fascia
viscera
the autonomic system
the brain
the brainstem
the cranial nerves

And oh, would you believe us if we told you we can switch the ANS from SNS overlay to full parasympathetic?

If you can find Harold and Dione, you can join us on:

June 14 and 21, 2009
AICA PASIG near ULTRA
Philippines

With the warmest regards a commune can share,

Strix



We have a few more slots available. Hope you may forward this to your friends.

Namaste,
Sonia



A Weekend Workshop on Chinese Integrative Medicine with International Expert

Dr Andre Sorger, M.Sc, B. Com



Part 1: Basics of TCM – June 27 & 28

Part 2: TCM at work – July 4



Sterten Place Condominum, 7th Floor, 116 Maginhawa St., Teachers Village East, Quezon City





Learning the Ancient Art of Healing

The ancient art of healing is expanding and reaching a wider following.



Different cultures have different healing arts to share - traditional medicine in China, leech therapy in India and hilot in the Philippines, just to name a few.



These ancient healing arts are making a comeback. And appropriately so at a time when it is most needed; with economic recession scaring even the most stable hospitals and the rising prices of modern medicine making people think twice about going to their doctors.



In the Philippines, the cost of healthcare has discouraged many to seek help. The system is rushed, expensive and overwhelming for many Filipinos.



The art of Healing invites us in a journey of good health and wholeness. Let us go back to basics and be kinder to our bodies as it remembers its way home to Wholeness and Completeness.



What is Integrative Medicine?

Integrative Medicine is the practice of combining alternative, complementary and conventional therapies. It brings together a variety of techniques that draws on a variety of traditions, expertise and modalities to address an individual’s specific needs for maximum healing benefit. One of its important characteristic is that it considers the mind-body-spirit connection within the patient and regards the patient as a whole.



Why Traditional Chinese Medicine? Why in the Philippines?

For centuries (more than 3,000 years), far longer than modern medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine has proven its worth in the field of healing arts. The Philippines, with its vast area of fertile lands, has a lot to share in the field of herbal medicine.



Modern medicine is recommended once disharmony in the body has occurred (curative) while alternative medicine is proving to be the better option for preventative care. More and more people are moving towards healthy lifestyle changes—an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Instead of simply curing existing ailments, people are looking for ways to prevent them.



Healing begins Now.

The 2-day Part 1 workshop, Basics of TCM (June 27 & 28), will discuss the foundations of Chinese medicine and clarify common misconceptions on the practice. Herbal & diet therapy, yin & yang organs, and herbs & food as medicine will be discussed in detail. The main feature is the discussion on the different meridians and their functions—why applying pressure on a certain point on the body will ease pain and why waking up at a certain time of the night could be associated to improper functioning of an internal organ.



Part 2, TCM at work (July 4), exclusive to graduates of the 2-day Part 1 workshop in January and this June, will give a hands-on practice on Tui Na and Acupressure. It will teach advanced diagnostic techniques to help participants help friends, family and members of their community.



WORKSHOP SCHEDULE



Part 1 – BASICS OF TCM

June 27 & 28



Day 1

8:30 – 9:00 Registration

9:00 – 11:00 Foundations of Chinese Medicine

The Yin & Yang / 5 Elements /

Meridian Therapy

11:00 – 12:00 Herbal and Diet Therapy

1:00 – 2:30 Vital substances – Qi, Blood,

Essence, Body fluids

2:30 – 4:00 Yin & Yang Organs

4:00 – 5:00 Acupressure Meridians



Day 2

8:30 – 9:00 Qi Gong

9:30 – 10:30 8 Principles

10:30 - 12:00 Acupressure Meridians and their

functions

1:00 – 2:00 Acupressure Meridians and their

functions (cont)

2:00 – 3:00 Diagnostic Techniques

3:00 – 5:00 Herbs and Food as Medicine

The Energetics of Food /

The Language of Food Energetics /

Combining Herbs



Workshop Fee: P5,000



Part 2 – TCM AT WORK

July 4



8:30 – 9:00 Registration

9:00 – 10:30 Advanced Diagnostics Techniques

10:30 – 12:00 Theories: Tui Na and Acupressure

1:00 – 3:00 Hands-on Tuina Massage

3:00 – 5:00 Hands-on Acupressure



Workshop Fee: P3,000

* Workshop fee is inclusive of snacks, hand-outs and certificate



You will learn take-home tools:

- A new understanding on the value of TCM and why learning this is very apt in these trying economic times

- Basic knowledge on Acupressure and Tui Na massage

- Healthy lifestyle changes for you and your family

- The use of foods as medicine



Who needs this?

General public interested in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine;

Health care workers interested in integrating this healing art with modern medicine;

Practitioners looking to broaden their skills and incorporate holistic healing in their treatments;

Policy makers gearing towards a healthy health system through policy change

what is manual medicine?

What are RDTs?

from wikipedia:

'Rapid De-afferentation Techniques' (R.D.T.s, or RDTs)are a system of soft-tissue rapid-release techniques developed by Sandro Strix S. Toledo, M.D.. These techniques have the commonality of being able to quickly break the nociceptive cycle for somatic dysfunctions. Some of the RDT methods bear resemblance to ease techniqes of osteopathic manipulation. The reflexive techniqes for soft tissue release appear to be unique versus references in the general medical and peer-reviewed manual medicine literature.

What is Rapid-De-afferentation?

What are RDTs (Rapid De-afferentation Techniques)?

RDTs are manual medicine techniques and protocols that utilize reflexive pathways and the phenomenon of reciprocal inhibition as a means of switching off inflammation, pain, and protective spasm for entire synergistic muscle groups or singular muscles and soft tissue structures.

RDTs are a hands-on method for turning off pain and spasm, and for turning on the recovery cycle and an autonomic "reboot." The reboot here is essentially a turning off of the sypathetic overload and a flooding with a good series of parasympathetic signals.

A Still point is often reached at "reboot," as is a theta brain state.