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 Stacy Soappman provides a brief review of Sacroiliac Joint assessment and treatment. 

In order to determine if gapping manip of the SI Joint is appropriate for a patient, she performs a standing weight bearing assessment. If the tests are symmetrical and patient presents with the same dysfunction both in standing and in non weight bearing tests, she moves forward with the manipulation. If there's a discrepancy between the two components of the test, she does not use manipulation, but instead employs another approach such as soft tissue, exercise or needling to help with the neuromuscular balance component.

Topics: manual therapy, manual therapy certification, treating lumbar spine, lumbopelvic spine, lumbopelvic spine courses

Ever run into challenges performing a lumbar gapping manipulation on a patient larger than yourself? In the video below, NAIOMT faculty member Stacy Soappman demonstrates ways to improve effectiveness--as well as safety for yourself--despite the size of your patient. Get more tips and guidance from Stacy directly in her upcoming Manip Like a  Girl: Work Smarter Not Harder course (not just for girls!) in Denver November 11 or in San Diego on December 9.

Topics: NAIOMT, treating lumbar spine, lumbopelvic spine, lumbopelvic spine courses

Ever get to a point while treating a patient, where it feels like maybe you've exhausted all the tools in your tool box? Every PT has been there. We may see some promising results, but eventually end up back where we started. Yes, it's frustrating. But it's also an opportunity for our clinical reasoning to really kick in. And if you've put the time into developing those skills, they will guide you forward when you--and your patients--need them most.

In the video below, NAIOMT faculty member, Stacy Soappman, discusses a patient case of low back pain, where she ultimately decided to combine treatment--working the mutifidus with the quadratus lumborum simultaneously--to get her patient feeling better.

Topics: NAIOMT, treating lumbar spine, lumbopelvic spine, lumbopelvic spine courses

The manual therapy video below is a recent moment in one of our courses. In it, NAIOMT teaching faculty member, Michael Lucido, performs a biomechanical assessment of the sacroiliac joint. We realize every physical therapist is at a different point in their professional skill set, so please let us know if you have any questions at all. We design courses to meet you where you're at, and take you where you want to go in strengthening your manual therapy and clinical reasoning skills for your patients.

Topics: lumbopelvic spine, manual therapy, Manual Therapy Videos, NAIOMT, sacro-iliac joint

In the manual therapy video below, Stacy Soappman discusses a patient presenting with pain and/or restriction when turning to the right--movement such as reaching to the back seat of the car--and who also has a history of a sensitive segment. She demonstrates one way to treat the upper lumbar spine segments with a "sensitive" segment in the lower lumbar spine.

Topics: lumbar spine segments, lumbopelvic spine, Manual Therapy Videos, treating lumbar spine

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

Since spring-like weather is taking its sweet time in many parts of the country, full-on cycling season has yet to blossom. Not being a huge fan of the lingering cold, myself, I'm among all the fair weather cyclists that have been crowding into spin class, preparing for warmer outdoor riding.  And tends to happens when you're in our profession, :) people have been stopping me after class to ask questions about the various aches and pains they are experiencing as they exercise and get ready for summer sports.  The question I'm most frequently asked?

Topics: cycling injuries, lower extremity, lumbopelvic spine, manual therapy, PT, Uncategorized

In the manual therapy video below, NAIOMT's Stacy Soappman demonstrates an anterior shear test of the lumbar Spine that can be helpful in assessing patients who may be experiencing pain with everyday activities such as carrying children or groceries.

Topics: anterior sheer test, lumbar spine, lumbopelvic spine, manual therapy videos, Manual Therapy Videos, Uncategorized

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