Body Region: Thoracic Spine |
Technique Name: Thoracic Opening Thrust Manipulation (General)
Indications: mechanical neck pain (MNP), cervical radiculopathy (CR), thoracic pain, shoulder pain |
Instructions: |
Patient Position: |
- Supine hook lying, with arms folded across their chest and their head resting on a pillow
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Clinician Position: |
- Standing at the side of the patient
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Technique Description: |
- Briefly roll the patient toward you and place your hand at the level of the segment to be treated.
- Your hand should form a fist with the thumb maintained in adduction and the thumb DIP in extension.
- Place the gutter formed by your fingers (excluding the thumb) and thenar eminence over the spinous process of the level to be treated
- Return the patient to supine ensuring their weight is fully distributed through the fulcrum you have established with your hand
- Place your free hand on the patients elbows and tuck their elbows under your axilla
- Perform a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust in an anterior to posterior direction
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Key Points: |
- You may have the patient perform a deep inhalation and time your thrust with their exhalation to aid in relaxation
- When you return the patient to supine after establishing your hand position, you may have to "prop" the patient onto your fulcrum by rotating their trunk
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