Positional Tuina
Positional Tuina has three techniques that are done concurrently with each other and ETPS:
- The practitioner manually stretches muscles and joints
- Treatment muscles are actively stretched or contracted by positioning the patient
- Treatment muscles are engaged with a gentle contraction by the patient
Positional Tuina Technique 1: The practitioner manually stretches muscles and joints
According to Lauren Berry-PT, Structural Engineer, repetitive strain and trauma can cause positional dysfunction of soft tissue.
Muscles, tendons and ligaments
- Have a normal position relative to the neighboring soft tissue and to the joint that they effect
- Can roll out of their normal position
- Can become displaced relative to the joint and neighboring soft tissues
Muscle positions shift
- Shortened muscles held in a postural compensation position for a period of time change position
- Some fibers of the shortened muscle start rolling into a more advantageous position that restricts other motions
- These fibers form adhesions to support this position (a palpable muscle ridge or knot)
Example: With a compensated position, (i.e.-forward head and rounded shoulders):
- The shoulder is forward and closer to the neck
- This puts the muscle fibers of the anterior trapezius in a shortened position
- Creating the feeling that these fibers have rolled forward and bunched up
Positional Tuina stretches the muscles and moves them back into their normal position.
Positional Tuina Technique 2: Active stretching/contracting of muscles by positioning the patient
Muscle problems begin when muscles are tightened during use when the muscle is either lengthened or shortened, not in a neutral position. Most treatment occurs with muscles in a neutral position, with patients in a prone, supine or side-lying position. Treating in neutral will only relieve some of the tightness. Treating by positioning the body in the position of injury (lengthened or shortened muscles)
- Releases tight muscles more completely
- Increases joint range of motion
Improvement lasts longer because the muscles are now loosened up in a full range of motion. For some points, muscles are engaged with a gentle contraction during treatment.
Positional Tuina Technique 3: Treatment muscles are engaged
For some points, muscles are engaged with a gentle contraction during treatment.