Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/398416
F r e e m u s i c d o w n l o a d s f o r C e r t i f i e d m e m b e r s : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 87 Resources Bainbridge-Cohen, B. Sensing, Feeling, and Action. Northhampton, MA: Contact Editions, 1993. Dychtwald, K. BodyMind. New York: Tarcher Putman, 1977. Hamill, J., and K. Knutzen. Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1995. Johnson, D. H., ed. Bone, Breath and Gesture. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 1995. Müller, D., and R. Schleip. Fascial Fitness: Fascia Oriented Training for Bodywork and Movement Therapies. IASI Yearbook, 2011. Myers, T., and J. Earls. Fascial Release for Structural Balance. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2010. Schultz, R. L., and R. Feitis. The Endless Web. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 1996. Travell, J., and D. Simons. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, Volumes 1 & 2. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1983 (vol. 1), 1992 (vol. 2). Step 4: QL Stretch Stretch the high ilium side. The client lies on the side opposite the side to be stretched, and moves her body to the edge of the table. Guide the top leg to hang off the edge of the table (Image 5). The knee needs to clear the table; sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to achieve this while maintaining the client's alignment. If you're having trouble getting the knee to clear the table, ask her to scoot her upper body away from you and her rear end toward you. Stabilize the pelvis with your body to prevent rotation or over-arching of the lower back. A towel under the client's waist can help with positioning and increase the stretch. To use a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) strategy, have the client push up to engage and shorten the QL, using light effort. Have her hold the contraction for 8–10 seconds. You can then feel if the tissue can stretch farther. Repeat the PNF two more times. PNF techniques are especially good for re-educating the stretch reflex and reducing its signaling on tissue that has an especially short resting length. Gently press down on the femur (less intense) or the calf (more intense) of the leg being stretched with your downhill hand. The client's upper arm must be above the ribs, reaching up toward her head. With your uphill hand, traction the iliac crest away from the ribs. Hold for 15–30 seconds. Move your upper hand to the rib case and traction it away from the pelvis, while maintaining the pressure on the femur or calf. Hold for 15–30 seconds (Image 6). To bring the client out of the stretch, lift her leg back onto the table so she does not engage the muscle. A STEPPING STONE TO FREEDOM Freeing the QL is a valuable skill for every manual therapist's toolbox. Let this article be your stepping stone to developing a finely honed and exquisite skill set for working with, and freeing, this wonder of a muscle. Peggy Lamb is the author of The Core of the Matter: Releasing the Iliopsoas and Quadratus Lumborum, Releasing the Rotator Cuff, and Stretch Your Clients!. An educator and bodyworker for more than 25 years, she brings her eclectic and extensive background into her teaching for an interesting and enlightening learning experience. She teaches her techniques nationally and internationally to massage therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Visit her website at www.massagepublications.com or email her at info@massagepublications.com. 4a 5 6 4b 4c