back protocol sequence

Question 1

what are the 2 techniques used in the Warm-Up section?

Answer 1

• Pushing 3x

- Rolling 1x

Question 2

what technique is used in the Compression section?

Answer 2

Compressions 3x on thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum

compress vertebrae towards each other as well as tissue from lateral to medial; avoid pressing deeply on lumbar area

Question 3

what 4 steps of the Decompressions / Traction section?

Answer 3

• Decompress thoracic 3x
• Decompress lumbar 5x
• Press above sacrum lateral to L5 (30 sec to 2 min)
• Traction & Rotate sacrum (lightly shaking it)

Question 4

what are the 4 steps of the Lateral Decompressions section?

Answer 4

• Lateral decompress thoracic & lumbar 3x (press and twist slightly)
• Lateral decompress along sacral border 3x
• Press Sacro-tuberal ligament (press in direction of navel)
• Digital press / Dig sacral foramen / Ba Liao points (UB 31-34)

Question 5

what are the 4 steps of the Finishing section?

Answer 5

• Palm press shaking UB channel on back
• Goldfish along spine to release specific areas of restriction
• Goldfish along ribcage, hips, and sacrum
• Goldfish the ankles

Question 6

how do you Decompress the thoracic?

Answer 6

• arrange thumb & fingers at about 90 degrees, with thumb and index against the spine
• start at T2 or below, to avoid pushing the patient’s neck forward
• use body weight to press down into thumb & fingers

Question 7

how do you Decompress the lumbar?

Answer 7

• place on hand on sacrum, and the other hand on the lower thoracic vertebrae (crossing at the wrists)
• keep elbows slightly bent and lean shoulders above hands in order to press

Question 8

how do you Press above the sacrum lateral to L5?

Answer 8

• press your thumbs or fingers at the tight or prominent muscles lateral to L5
• hold the press & follow the patient’s breath to go deeper

Question 9

how do you Traction & Rotate the sacrum?

Answer 9

• place one hand’s fingers over the top of sacrum, cupping the sacrum
• place the other hand on top of the first hand
• lunge towards the patient’s feet

Question 10

how do you Lateral decompress the thoracic & lumbar?

Answer 10

• use thumbs to press next to the intervertebral space against side of spine
• press between muscle & bone
• press deep & then twist slightly

Question 11

how do you Lateral decompress along the sacral border

Answer 11

• use same technique as on thoracic & lumbar

- feel the border of the sacrum and use thumbs to press between muscle & bone

Question 12

how do you Press the Sacro-tuberal ligament?

Answer 12

• just lateral to the coccyx, press in the direction of the navel
• this is a sensitive area, so move with intention & do not linger

Question 13

what are you looking for while you perform Goldfish on the ankles?

Answer 13

• the patient’s head should rock

- you should see a smooth S curve from sacrum to spine (if not, there is restriction)