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October 25, 2007

Myofascial Pelvic Stabilization

I was finally able to trade out with a new peer in town who does myofascial stabilization. The work involved a lot of intense stretching which felt great. I am happy to report that I woke up with NO back pain whatsoever this morning.

What the protocol involved was first to release the psoas and they executed this in a way that focuses on a single locus which is different than the way I was taught. Next came a lower body stretch of both the quadricep muscle and then while in a side-lying position. Next was another side-lying full body stretch with the leg off the side of the table (which I think I may be able to mimic for maintenance purposes) by myself on my table.

After the stretching came PNF activation of the the oblique muscles (and others, I'm sure). Using a full torso twist (also in a side-lying position) they blocked the forward movement of the hip and the backward movement of the shoulders. This was intense, but felt great and I could tell this really helped my sacroiliac joints.

Then there was a technique that mimicked the uterine rocking technique I learned in visceral manipulation. And then a deep upward myofascial stretch of the abdomen. After they did this, I felt a distinct warming around my sacrum, sacroiliac joint and the lumbar spine just above the sacrum which they told me indicated an increase in blood flow to the area. As an aside to the technique, my therapists also worked on some of the scar tissue left over from my endometriosis surgery. Then there was a classic stretch of the gluteal muscles with a secondary focus on the piriformis muscle. They finished with a pubic symphysis stabilization which involves placing the forearm between the knees and having the client squeeze.

What this work pointed out for me is that I carry a great deal of tension in my thoracic region just below the shoulder blades. I have a slight scoliosis curve in my back in this area, so this makes sense. My therapist says that Raindrop Therapy will help correct this. I look forward to doing another trade with them. The only drawback of this myofascial pelvic stabilization: My friend says once she does this work on a client, it's a long time before she hears from them again.

tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health

Posted by linda at October 25, 2007 8:00 AM