Manual Therapy Myths Dispelled

14 Aug 2016

I couldn’t even begin to write a blog as impressive as what I’m going to share with you today.  Today’s blog (or rather reading redirection) comes from a Canadian Physiotherapist, Bahram Jam, PT.  He has written a brilliant and well researched paper dispelling the myths propagated about manual therapy, and in particular ‘segmental motion testing’.  

Now, you may find it odd that I would promote a paper such as this, being that I’m someone that teaches manual therapy and motion palpation.  However, if you’ve ever been in one of my courses, I ask people to feel differences; generalized differences; and to look for pain; and to take note of the muscle tone; and perhaps most importantly “Just move the joint" in regards to treatment.  As well when I’m teaching my spine courses, I say that I am just giving you more tools in your toolbox – not rules!  Now, most people are okay with this, but every now and then I run into some ‘old school’ thinkers who want the rules and want to compare assessment of specific motion testing.  To them, I’m a heretic!  But not only am I always teaching what research validates, now there are others staring to herald the same message.

So please read this paper for yourself, SHARE it amongst your colleagues and rehab, PT, chiro, or osteopathic friends!!

http://www.aptei.ca/wp-content/uploads/Manual-Therapy-Paradigm-Shift-2016.pdf

And do feel free to send me your thoughts!  ;)  Cheers!  Laurie