Let me tell you the 4 reasons why your manual technique didn\u2019t work and how to prevent them.<\/p>\n\n
Manual techniques are an essential part of treatment in physiotherapy. They\u2019re not everything, but they are important.<\/p>\n\n
It\u2019s true that some children with more neuro-sensory-motor alterations require more stimulation or reeducation, in addition to a clear and well-systematized intervention on their environment.<\/p>\n\n
I want to tell you that even though we put a lot of effort into learning techniques\u2014and that\u2019s understandable\u2014there is something more important. It\u2019s clinical reasoning. That\u2019s where you should put your energy. Techniques come afterwards.<\/p>\n\n
Here are the 4 reasons why your manual technique didn\u2019t work<\/p>\n\n
I\u2019m sorry, I have to say it. You didn\u2019t do it right. You placed your fingers where they shouldn\u2019t be, you used too much force or not enough intention. You didn\u2019t have your finger on the C1 transverse processes. Your hold was superficial, not deep.<\/p>\n\n
Go back and watch the videos from the PIMT course you did. If you did another manual therapy training, go back to the videos you probably recorded\u2014or at least to your notes.<\/p>\n\n
The problem is that if too much time has passed or you didn\u2019t practice much, it will be difficult to relearn the technique from the videos or your notes.<\/p>\n\n
If you see that you need the technique and can\u2019t access the information to do it properly, it might be happening to you with other techniques too.<\/p>\n\n
Advice: retake the course, if it was worth it. No doubt, the best option\u2014but few take it. Those who go far are the ones who do.<\/p>\n\n
This is a common problem. If you\u2019ve taken the PIMT Essential or an advanced course, you\u2019ll remember the teacher\u2019s phrase: \u201cHow will I know I did a good job?\u201d \u201cWhat can I measure before and after?\u201d<\/p>\n\n
It\u2019s important to choose your parameter well.<\/p>\n\n
If you choose a parameter that\u2019s too complex\u2014like an activity or a complex function, which depend on many factors and usually need to be reeducated\u2014you might think the technique didn\u2019t work, even if you did it perfectly.<\/p>\n\n
For example, if you\u2019re treating a baby\u2019s neck, a passive rotation parameter is better than an active rotation one. Passive is what will change the fastest. In contrast, active rotation depends on motor control and the environment. Therefore, it\u2019s more complex.<\/p>\n\n
To evaluate the result of a technique, choose simple parameters of structure or passive function.<\/p>\n\n
This way you\u2019ll know exactly the result of your action, independently from the sensori-motor aspects that require more reeducation work.<\/p>\n\n
Another common issue. You go straight to the area that needs treatment.<\/p>\n\n
There\u2019s a neck problem and you go directly with a cervical technique.<\/p>\n\n
If you apply the technical principles of PIMT, this shouldn\u2019t happen to you. Going straight to the problem area is uncomfortable, you have to apply a lot of force and insistence to resolve it. But even so, there are important influences you\u2019re not taking into account.<\/p>\n\n
For example, the aponeuroses. These should be treated before the joint work.<\/p>\n\n
Plan your techniques well to treat the most important area last.
But they also multiply the effect of your local technique.<\/p>\n\n
Oops, you treated the wrong thing!<\/p>\n\n
You thought it was that, but apparently it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n\n
Example: you treated the digestive aponeurosis well, but the neck tilt didn\u2019t improve. It\u2019s possible that it\u2019s the respiratory system that\u2019s causing the stiffness.<\/p>\n\n
Sometimes this may be a sign of a more serious underlying issue that requires medical treatment.<\/p>\n\n
Other times, you\u2019re simply in a place where nothing will change.<\/p>\n\n
Do a good analysis of factors and clinical reasoning before starting treatment.<\/p>\n\n
It will allow you to identify the main areas of work, which you\u2019ll gradually confirm or rule out as you go along.<\/p>\n\n