Guest Post: Manual Therapy and Cadavers

image courtesy of marquettewire.org

Today's guest post is from Dr. John Rusin, who recently gained access to a cadaver lab. I have always wanted to go back to a gross anatomy lab after becoming a PT, it would be so much different than trying to memorize everything after see it in action and working with the anatomy and physiology daily!

Note, even though I do not believe in ARTs hyper aggressive fascial deformation protocols, I still think it's interesting to see cadavers from a manual therapy standpoint and still use many similar techniques I learned from IPA but not perform them all pain free, which you'll see an example of in Wednesday's post. Here's John's post.


HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

-The body is an amazing phenomenon that exhibits some of the most complex bio-engineering this world has ever seen. Studying the human body at its most primitive state is a rare opportunity that yields a deeper understanding of both movement and function.

-The cadaver’s carefully dissected presentation provides the ultimate learning opportunity to learn and master strategic intricacies of manual soft tissue treatment, along with countless other hands on treatment techniques.

-Remember, manual therapy is hugely detail oriented. The smallest variances and adjustments in your touch, location and force have the ability to exponentially enhance your results as a rehabilitation professional.

INTRODUCTION

The human body is a truly amazing phenomenon. For those of us who have been privileged enough to study the body at it’s most natural state, the gross anatomy cadaver, we can appreciate the absolute amazing complexity, yet simple structures and functions.

Manual therapies are taught each day at universities around the world, along with many other outlets of continuing education coursework. The most efficient way to master the art of fine manual touch is to deeply understand the nature and structure of each specific soft tissue in the human body.

Combining the unparalleled experience and expertise of gross anatomy dissections with the implementation of manual therapeutic modalities creates the perfect synergistic learning environment. Together, these two aspects of education will create the future of hands on therapy.

GROUNDBREAKING VIDEO

If you're a Certified Active Release Techniques provider, or other type soft tissue doctor, the idea of another protocol caught on tape is less than exhilarating. What makes these next few videos special is the subject. Thanks to the countless courageous people who donate their bodies to science after their death, we were able to shoot some amazing footage at my alma mater, Daemen College, located in Amherst, New York.

Each cadaver was carefully dissected, leaving the soft tissue and contractile tissues largely in tact. This cadaver’s presentation provides the ultimate learning opportunity to view strategic intricacies of manual soft tissue treatment. Not only can you clearly see exact hand placement on structures, but can also enhance your directional forces through viewing the fiber orientation of each contractile tissue. Enjoy the Active Release Techniques tutorial on a few of the systems most effective protocols.

BRACHIORADIALIS



BICEPS BRACHII / BRACHIALIS




RADIAL NERVE AT PRONATOR TERES / BRACHIORADIALIS


CONCLUSION

If you’re a clinician, get out there and use the soft tissue techniques taught in these videos for the greater good of your patients and clients. Manual soft tissue treatments can be a game changer in terms of increasing your efficiency in treatment, and streamlining the total duration of patient care.

Remember, manual therapy is hugely detail oriented. The smallest variances and adjustments in your touch, location and force have the ability to exponentially enhance your results as a rehabilitation professional. Continuing to learn from the best resources available today will help you grow as a practitioner, but more importantly, will help more patients achieve their goals more quickly.

If you were intrigued by the use of the cadavers in combination with Active Release Techniques specific manual therapy, I would love to hear your thoughts. Stay tuned for more protocols that you can incorporate instantly into your practice.

Thanks for the post John, look for an example of my pain free alternative "release" for the Pec Minor on Wedneday... Keeping it Eclectic...