ow! back hurts

[KnottedYet]

But I was taught to do it very very softly, so that you don't train the stabilizers to be overwhelmed. Same effect, just slower. And not as noisy!

We kept the name the same, just told folks that "like a shotgun, it hits lots of targets". Cuz it'll get things moving whether you've got inflare/outflare/upslip/downslip/ant rotation etc.

I had the traditional shotgun done on me once when I was out of whack. It was incredibly painful and I was in agony for weeks. I've never used the hard version, just because of that.

[Wahine]

You had to do the aggressive manip in the practical exam to get your advanced manual therapy certification. I've only done it 2x to patients, both big guys that I couldn't get moving using a milder approach. Worked like a charm. I like the "hitting many targets" bit.

[KnottedYet]

Hee hee! The tough ones I gave to the OCS to fix! (sometimes it really pays to be a lowly assistant! )

I knew a D.O. who said that everyone doing finals in her group kept a Lifesaver in their mouth so they could crunch it duing manips, cuz the examiner wanted to HEAR it.

I do like giving the soft shotgun to women to use to fix themselves, so often it really helps.

[mimitabby]

yes, KNot, that was it. . . And... I hope i don't hear any noises!


Wahine, thanks for the links!

[songlady]

What is the purpose behind the Shotgun Muscle Energy Technique? What should you feel when you are performing this exercise correctly?
Wahine, thanks for the links you posted to Mimi, they were excellent!
Mimi, thanks for posting on this topic!!!!!

[mimitabby]

The rest of the story: Last autumn, I was planning a trip to Italy.
Right before i left, less than 3 days from my departure, my back went out.
I had no time to get an appt with a dr or chiro, so I posted here on TE.
Knot came up with this exercise (you guys have to tell me how you do the "hard" version, I'm idly curious (ie I don't want to do it but i wanna know))
which I was able to do every day, and by my 3rd day in Italy WITH a really really bad bed (hammock shaped mattress) I was improving thanks to her.

[KnottedYet]

What is the purpose behind the Shotgun Muscle Energy Technique? What should you feel when you are performing this exercise correctly?
Wahine, thanks for the links you posted to Mimi, they were excellent!
Mimi, thanks for posting on this topic!!!!!

With the soft version, you shouldn't feel much of anything. It's a correction technique, that might let your grumpy muscles relax and give any pelvic bones that might be hanging out in an awkward ("out of alignment") position a chance to gradually squirm their way back to where they belong.

It's dull and boring, like rocking a baby.

What you'll feel (if anything) is that after the soft shotgun your back might not be as sore, or your grumpy muscles might have relaxed.

[songlady]

Knotted, thanks for the clarification

[Wahine]

Mimi - The aggressive technique is a manipulation that has to be done by a certified individual. It uses the same squeezing motion that the exercise Knott posted, but the resistance is porvided by the practitioner instead of a pillow and after each contraction the practitioner repositions the knees farther out as appropriate. After repeating this a few times, the practitioner will then perform a quick thrust out on the knees while the client resists. This causes a gapping athe pubic symphasis and can allow things to realign themselves. It is often startling because of the noise that comes with the manipulation, but ideally it is not painful. This technique carries a lot of risk if done improperly or on the wrong type of clients. So there are a lot of techniques that a practioner should choose first, like the exercise Knott posted, because they carry less risk. It's one of those things you do when nothing else seems to be doing the trick.

From what I can gather Mimi, you would most likely fall into the wrong kind of patient for the full manipulation. I almost never use it and I've been certified to do manipultions for 7 years.

Edited for spelling to add - it sounds like a single clean, loud crack on a lifesaver. But it comes from your pubic area, so it's really kinda creepy.

[mimitabby]

Hee hee! The tough ones I gave to the OCS to fix! (sometimes it really pays to be a lowly assistant! )

I knew a D.O. who said that everyone doing finals in her group kept a Lifesaver in their mouth so they could crunch it duing manips, cuz the examiner wanted to HEAR it.

I do like giving the soft shotgun to women to use to fix themselves, so often it really helps.

it sounds like a livesaver crunching in your mouth? REALLY??