As we approach weekend 4 where each of you will be helping with the manual therapy review, I felt it would be a good time to consider the attached article.  I personally have had to adjust my thinking and execution of manual therapy techniques due to my size and force generation.  Both during my training and during every day use of manual therapy, I have had to make modifications such as the ones described in this article.  Obviously the goals we have for you in learning and fine-tuning your skills is to learn techniques and execute them with a “gold standard” methodology first.  BUT once you understand the goal of the technique, the vectors of force you’re attempting to generate based on patient anatomy AND you keep your body mechanics safe, the sky is the limit on appropriate modifications made for you OR your patient’s body size (or other injuries, physical anomalies…etc).

Can you provide feedback on personal struggles you are having w/a specific technique or ways you have overcome one?  Also, pls plan to provide feedback during your technique review that may help your classmates be more successful if he or she encounters these types of challenges. (pls be sure to s/w your mentor about this so they can provide feedback prior to making any of these types of suggestions)

KK

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10669817.2015.1119371