Seated ME flor Mid to Lower Thoracic Type I Dysfunction

Overview of Muscle Energy Technique

The muscle energy technique is utilized to address somatic dysfunctions in the spine. This script details the procedure for type one somatic dysfunction in the lower thoracic spine (T8-T12), with Ms. Magnus as the patient.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Patient Assessment

   • Examine Ms. Magnus's spinal function at T6.

   • Note that her spine is in a neutral position, rotated to the left, and side-bent to the right.

2. Initial Positioning

   • Use a surf flat for treatment.

   • Position the caudal hand as the monitoring hand.

   • Identify T7 as the apex of the group curve.

   • With the left hand, monitor T7 while reaching around Ms. Magnus’s shoulder.

   • Position one hand on one shoulder and the other in the axilla for support.

3. Inducing Motion

   • Rotate Ms. Magnus to the right until motion is felt at T7.

   • Side-bend to the left, feeling for motion at T7 again.

   • Note: Minimal movement is required; emphasize fine motions instead of drastic movements.

4. Administering Resistance

   • Instruct the patient to straighten back up while providing isometric resistance.

   • Maintain this active engagement for 35 seconds.

   • Follow with a relaxation period of 1-2 seconds.

   • Take up the slack, increasing side bending and rotation to identify a new barrier edge.

5. Repetition of Technique

   • Ask the patient to straighten again against resistance for another 35 seconds.

   • Follow with another relaxation period of 1-2 seconds before reassessing the new barrier.

   • Repeat this process multiple times, aiming to gradually take up slack and find further motion barriers at each step.

6. Final Steps

   • After the final round of resistance, instruct the patient to relax once more.

   • Wait briefly for 1-2 seconds, then take up the slack one last time.

   • Return the patient’s spine to a neutral position.

   • Reassess the T7 region to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique.