Part of THE METHOD I use treats joint restrictions at Occiput-C1 in a very close to neutral position, using less than 10 degrees of side bending and rotation. There is very limited motion available at this joint and retesting cautiously with coupling of other upper segments will be an added measure of success. I treat everything below first, meaning below C4 to the toes, because biomechanically and reflexively C1-C2 will compensate with contralateral rotation and slight side glide. Then I treat top down, Occiput-C1, then C1-C2 if restricted, and C3 if indicated. I am referencing unilateral patterns a bilateral is another beast. Great questions you pose! Afterwards I do soft tissue work but proceeding with soft tissue work sometimes can be very helpful, less so if reflexogenic response at play. Always helpful after, and oftentimes much softer in response to the joint work.
Jonathan and group
Part of THE METHOD I use treats joint restrictions at Occiput-C1 in a very close to neutral position, using less than 10 degrees of side bending and rotation. There is very limited motion available at this joint and retesting cautiously with coupling of other upper segments will be an added measure of success. I treat everything below first, meaning below C4 to the toes, because biomechanically and reflexively C1-C2 will compensate with contralateral rotation and slight side glide. Then I treat top down, Occiput-C1, then C1-C2 if restricted, and C3 if indicated. I am referencing unilateral patterns a bilateral is another beast. Great questions you pose! Afterwards I do soft tissue work but proceeding with soft tissue work sometimes can be very helpful, less so if reflexogenic response at play. Always helpful after, and oftentimes much softer in response to the joint work.
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I wrote this in response to a question on another blog, slightly edited to remove my wacky "humor". To isolate the Occiput-C1, C1-C2 find this persons neutral position of the head which sometimes is not how they lie on you table. Supine is best, better than sitting. Contact is in front of the ears, on the temples and zygomatic arch. Pull ever so gently until system is engaged say 5 lbs. You can test the pull force with a fish weighing scale for about $10.00. No, not on the patient! Observe the anatomy. The upper joint lies right below the and very slightly behind the pinna of the ear (lower lobe-like my big ones!). Whereas, the C2-3 on down lie at least a centimeter or a centipede below (adolescent centipede-the petulant variety) such that you will not be able to traction the upper in the same manner as the upper. OK, this arachnoid needs more coffee.
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Dr. Jerry Hesch, DPT, MHS, PTMarried with 4 grown kids. Earned my Doctorate at A.T. Still University in Tempe, AZ, MHS at the University of Indianapolis and my BS PT at University of New Mexico. I enjoy working with my hands and particularly making glass objet d'art. Powered by Calendar Labs Archives
August 2016
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