Forward head posture is extremely common, especially as we age. It is part of a larger posture dysfunctional pattern known as upper crossed syndrome.
Greater Occipital Neuralgia
Greater occipital neuralgia is caused by compression of the greater occipital nerve, usually by a tight upper trapezius or semispinalis capitis muscle.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome is a condition that causes compression of nerves and/or blood vessels where the thorax outlets into the upper extremity.
Osteoarthritis of the Cervical Spine
The causative mechanism of osteoarthritis is excessive physical stress placed on the joint, resulting in cartilage and then bony degeneration.
How do we treat piriformis syndrome with manual therapy?
Manual therapy treatment for a tight piriformis (that can cause piriformis syndrome) involves moist heat, soft tissue manipulation, and stretching.
Hypertonic / Tight Musculature of the Neck
Tight musculature is the most common presenting complaint that a manual therapist will confront and is a component of every neck musculoskeletal condition.
Fascial Adhesions of the Neck
Fascial adhesions may bind together the two opposing surfaces of a soft tissue interface, resulting in restricted mobility.
Sprains and Strains (Whiplash) of the Neck
A whiplash is named for the characteristic whiplike motion of the person’s head/neck during a car accident, usually resulting in strain/sprain of the neck.
Signs, symptoms, and assessment (diagnosis) of piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome causes compression upon the sciatic nerve; therefore it causes symptoms of sciatica, similar to sciatic nerve entrapment at the spine.
Joint Dysfunction of the Cervical Spine
A joint functions to allow motion, so two forms of joint dysfunction exist: Hypomobile joint has restricted motion; Hypermobile joint has excessive motion.
FREE DCOMT video – Palpation – Never Cross a Joint that You Don’t Need to Cross
When palpating a muscle and adding resistance to its contraction, never cross a joint that does not need to be crossed or other muscles will also contract.
Pin and Stretch Technique
Pin and stretch technique focuses the force of the stretch on the region of the muscle that is between the pinned point and the attachment that is moved.
Pathologic Disc Conditions of the Neck
The danger with a disc bulge or herniation is that the disc can compress the spinal nerve within the intervertebral foramen, causing a pinched nerve.
What are the self-care and medical approaches to treating a pathologic disc?
Self care for a herniated disc: avoid postures/activities that increase stress upon the disc and stretching/strengthening the musculature around the disc.
What is piriformis syndrome and what are its causes?
Piriformis syndrome occurs when a tight piriformis muscle compresses against the sciatic nerve, causing symptoms of sciatica into the lower extremity.
Motions of the Cervical Spine
Table 1 shows average healthy ranges of axial motion of the cervical spine (head and neck), from the atlanto-occipital joint through the C7-T1 joint.
Manual Therapy Precautions When Working the Neck
It is essential to exercise caution when working the anterior neck. However, this should not prevent therapeutic manual therapy work to the anterior neck.
Musculature of the Cervical Spine
To perform orthopedic manual therapy to the neck that is accurate and specific, we need to know the attachments and actions of the muscles of the neck.
Ligaments of the Cervical Spine
The “action” of a ligament is similar to that of an antagonist muscle. If either is tight/taut, it restricts motion in the opposite direction.
Cervical Spinal Joints
The disc joint is a cartilaginous joint that is composed of outer fibers called the annulus fibrosus that encircle the inner nucleus pulposus.
Introduction to the Cervical Spine
It is extremely important to be able to locate and palpate the laminar groove of the cervical spine because the thickest musculature is located there.
The Thoracic Spine… The Silent Saboteur
There is an old saying that no posture is bad unless you get stuck in it. The problem is that the thoracic spine often does get stuck in bad posture.
Locked Short Muscles – Locked Long Muscles
Two opposing muscle groups, the “facilitated” muscles that are locked short and the “inhibited” muscles that are locked long.
FREE DCOMT video – Muscle Action Series – Iliacus
This video covers the attachments, actions, and motion patterns of the iliacus, explaining the biomechanics of how the iliacus functions.
Manual Therapy Certification for Massage Therapists
There are two major reasons why a massage therapist should consider working toward and earning a Continuing Education Certificate in Manual Therapy.
How do we treat a pathologic disc with manual therapy?
Traction can be beneficial for the client/patient with a pathologic disc because it opens up the intervertebral foramina of the spine.
Manual Therapy Certification for Chiropractors
What is most important in any Manual Therapy Certification program is marrying together the underlying science with the hands-on manual therapy skills.
Biomechanics of the Pilates Mat Abdominal Series
5 Pilates Mat Abdominal Series exercises: Single Leg Stretch, Double Leg Stretch, Single Straight Leg Stretch, Double Straight Leg Stretch, & Criss-Cross.
How do we assess a pathologic disc?
For a pathologic disc of the lumbar spine, the principle assessment test is straight leg raise (SLR). This can be performed actively or passively.
What is Joint Mobilization?
Grades IV and V joint mobilization are essentially pin and stretch technique.
Bone “A” is pinned and then Bone “B” is moved relative to Bone “A.”
