We are all Magicians!

The magic of hands indeed!

Third week in, and one thing that I and my fellow colleagues am starting to notice when treating patients is something as simple as STM/mobs can decrease symptoms by half. Your probably thinking, yeah DUH!

Here is one example. A patient presents with Lx pain with bilateral buttocks pain (somatic referral), with the main aggravating factors being standing and walking. Pain levels range from 1-7/10, but it is mainly stiffness that is the main complaint.

All movements are restricted, with R SF, L rot, ext, and combined R SF/ext producing the pain in the R Lx area, so a typical ‘closing’ pattern.

My treatment has consisted of left rotation PPIVM in slight R SF (due to low irritability) of L3-S1, STM of bilateral ES, and HEP consisting of ROM exercises and PF/TA/MF act/endurance.

This pt leaves feeling fantastic with less stiffness/pain with walking and standing and is on ‘cloud 9’.

Here are my thoughts, let me know what you think.
Firstly, something as simple as 3 mins STM can decrease the Sx and promote correct movement, the gift of ‘touch’!

Secondly, and maybe a bit out there, BUT, when we mobilize (as in PPIVMS), I am starting to think that, at the symptomatic level, there is a BIGGER part in the spinal gate model, which decreases the pain. I understand that we are also mobilizing the soft tissue and joint, however, I think that the spinal gate model may attribute more to the pain relief than we think, which then promotes correct movement.

Here’s to the healing hands!