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.”
Manual Therapy Certification for Pilates Instructors
Pilates is kinesthetic. Verbal talking to direct your client is not. Hands-on Manual direction is. Plain and simple, Pilates is a kinesthetic endeavor.
What are the signs and symptoms of a pathologic disc?
A herniated disc in the neck refers symptoms into the upper extremity. A herniated disc in the low back refers symptoms into the lower extremity (sciatica).
What is Manual Therapy?
The following techniques are considered to be Manual Therapy techniques: Massage (Soft Tissue Manipulation), Stretching, Joint Mobilization, Hydrotherapy.
What are the causes of a pathologic intervertebral disc?
One cause of a pathologic disc (e.g., bulge, herniation) is excessive flexion postures, which drive the nucleus posteriorly against the taut annular fibers.
What is a pathologic intervertebral disc?
This article addresses the causes of the three different types of pathologic disc conditions: degenerated disc, bulging disc, and herniated disc.
What are the self-care and medical approaches to patellofemoral syndrome?
Perhaps the one most important aspect of self-care for patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) is to strengthen the quadriceps femoris musculature.
FREE DCOMT video – Communicating with the Client When We are Stretching Them
For manual therapy care to be successful, client communication is extremely important. This video explores who to effectively communicate with the client.
How do we treat patellofemoral syndrome with manual therapy?
Given the many possible causes of patellofemoral syndrome, following is a typical guideline for manual therapy treatment.
Signs, symptoms, and assessment (diagnosis) of patellofemoral syndrome
Patellofemoral syndrome can be easily assessed/diagnosed by employing the orthopedic assessment test known as patellofemoral syndrome test.
What is patellofemoral syndrome and what are its causes?
Essentially, patellofemoral syndrome is osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint. It involves cartilage degeneration and the development of bone spurs.
What are the self-care and medical approaches to tight spasmed neck muscles?
Self-care application of heat and stretching is an extremely important part of the treatment regimen for clients with spasmed neck muscles.
FREE DCOMT video – Child’s Pose with Lumbar Flexion Joint Mobilization
Have the client go into yoga’s child’s pose (or restorative pose) after having been lying prone for a period of time. Joint mobilization can be added.
How do we treat spasmed neck muscles with manual therapy?
Manual therapy treatment: Manual therapy treatment for spasmed muscles of the neck (tightness of neck musculature) includes all the major soft tissue technique tools. Heat hydrotherapy, soft tissue manipulation, stretching, and joint mobilization (also known as arthrofascial stretching/AFS). It is …
Signs, symptoms, and assessment (diagnosis) of spasmed muscles in the neck
The most common signs and symptoms of spasmed muscles of the posterior neck are pain, a feeling of tightness, and restricted motion.
What are the causes of muscle spasming in the neck?
Muscle spasming of the neck occurs because of its role in neck movement and posture, as well as it role in upper extremity movement and posture.
