In the manual therapy video below, NAIOMT faculty member Stacy Soappman explains why it's useful to have three different muscle testing approaches for the lumbar spine. Essentially, each has a different intent:

Shortened Position

For neurological conductivity, fatiguing versus consistent weakness.

Mid-range Position

Looking at the power position, and giving it a manual muscle test grade to document in chart to use an objective measure to show how they've improved and gained strength over the course of physical therapy.

Lengthened Position

To pick up minor tissue damage, if looking for grade one strain.

Topics: lumbar spine, Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, manual therapy videos, Manual Therapy Videos, Uncategorized

In the manual therapy video below, NAIOMT's Bill Temes demonstrates a prone torsion test, as part of the Level I Scanning Examination for the lumbar spine.

Topics: Courses, Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, Manual Therapy, manual therapy and pregnancy, peripheral manipulation, Spinal manipulation, Endorsement, endorsement in washington, Faculty

PTs may learn and go through the motions of a lumbar slump test. But do we understand why? In the video below, NAIOMT Faculty member Stacy Soappman its significance and how it can help you as you decide which steps to take next with your patient.

Topics: Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, manual therapy, Manual Therapy, Uncategorized, lumbar slump test

In a recent New York Times article, “Short-Track Speedskaters Are Lopsided,” the author notes and interviews several Olympic athletes that can tell they are “off” and out of “balance"--and they notice this more during regular activities of daily life than in their event. The article goes on to highlight these asymmetries are most commonly seen with speedskaters. According to the article, it is common to find that their thighs and glutes are typically larger on the right, while their lower-back muscles maybe more developed on the contralateral side. This finding is common with athletes that always train in one direction or play a sport, such as tennis, that requires unilateral domination.

Topics: Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, olympics, short track skating, asymmetry

Topics: Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, Physical Therapy, Manual Therapy Videos, positional release technique

Topics: Courses, Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, NAIOMT, Manual Therapy Videos, h and I testing

In the manual therapy video below, NAIOMT Senior Faculty Member Bill Temes demonstrates a compression overload test for the lumbopelvic spine.

Topics: Courses, Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, manual therapy courses, clinical skills, compression overload test

In the manual therapy video below, NAIOMT faculty member Stacy Soappman demonstrates one way to determine if a patient has a leg length discrepancy or neuromuscular imbalance following a hip replacement.

Topics: lumbar spine, Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, manual therapy videos, Manual Therapy Videos, Uncategorized

Topics: Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, Manual Therapy, Manual Therapy Videos, Uncategorized

In the manual therapy video below, NAIOMT's faculty instructor Steve Allen addresses clinical presentation of traumatic arthritis in the lumbopelvic spine.

Topics: Lumbopelvic Spine, lumbopelvic spine, lumbopelvic spine courses, Manual Therapy, Manual Therapy Videos