Thoracic spine facilitated positional release

Page created: March 23, 2021

Notes

Thoracic spine

Thoracic spine facilitated positional release

Please refer to the "Introduction to facilitated positional release" learn page for more information about facilitated positional release (FPR).
THORACIC “EXTENSION” DYSFUNCTIONS
Example: T6 E SRRR

  1. Stand at the right side of the seated patient
  2. Place your left hand at the right transverse process of T6 to monitor the patient’s dysfunction
  3. Place your right forearm on the patient’s right shoulder with the remainder of the forearm and hand resting across the patient’s upper back
  4. Instruct the patient to sit up straight until extension is palpated at the level of T6
  5. Apply gentle compression with your right forearm downward into the thoracic spine
  6. While maintaining compression, apply an inferior and posterior force with the right forearm to position T6 into further extension, right side bending, and rotation (position of ease) until the T6 paravertebral muscles appear maximally relaxed
  7. Hold the position for 3–5 seconds and slowly release the compression, returning the patient to neutral
TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE HYPERTONICITY
Example: right-sided dysfunction

  1. With the patient lying prone, have them rotate their head and neck to the right
  2. Stand at the left side with the left hand palpating the right trapezius (fingers pointed toward their head)
  3. Grasp the patient’s right shoulder with your right hand around the anterior deltoid and AC joint
  4. With your right hand, gently pull the right shoulder inferior and posterior
  5. Apply an activating force in the form of gentle compression (from the shoulder toward the trapezius) with the right hand for 3–5 seconds or until a release is palpated
Author: Arman Israelyan, OMS-III
Editor: Matt Lipinski, DO
Editor: Robyn Hughes, MScBMC

Key Takeaways

Thoracic spine facilitated positional release (FPR) is a manual therapy technique used to relieve pain and improve mobility in the thoracic spine. It involves positioning the patient in a specific position that reduces tension and compression in the affected area, followed by gentle pressure to specific points on the body to release muscle tension and improve range of motion. Thoracic spine FPR is used to treat a variety of conditions like back pain, postural problems, and musculoskeletal disorders.