I recently attended another great course through the NOI Group called “Graded Motor Imagery” (GMI) taught by Bob Johnson. These guys are the industry leaders in all things pain so please check them out. It was great connecting with Bob and learning what I think will be an excellent adjunct to what I am currently doing. So here is the run down on GMI. Overview GMI is a three-pronged sequential process of establishing early, nonpainful motor programming. Johnson calls this synaptic exercise to limit negative peripheral pain expression. GMI is a 3 step process: 1) Laterality reconstruction (Implicit Motor Imagery). 2) Motor imagery (Explicit Motor Imagery). 3) Mirror Therapy. The Neuromatrix Paradigm & Pain States Before delving into the neuromatrix, we first must define pain. Pain is a multiple system output or expression by an individual-specific pain neuromatrix that activates when the brain concludes that body tissues are in danger and action is required. The neuromatrix, like I talk about in this post here, is the nervous system’s coding space and network. It is first and foremost affected by genetics, sculpted by experience, and constantly evolving. It is the entity that makes us who we are—the self. The neurosignature, or neurotag, is an output’s representation in the brain. For example, regions in the brain will activate in response to produce the pain output. This sequence is the neurosignature. Some common activated areas when pain is expressed include both primary and secondary somatosensory cortices, insula cortex, anterior cingulgate cortex, thalamus, basal
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter XI: Neurodynamic Testing for the Spine and Lower Limb
This is a summary of Chapter XI of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. Intro For today’s chapter, I have decided that the best way to learn these tests is to show you. I will write in any pertinent details you need for a good test performance. The Straight Leg Raise (SLR) SLR hacks. Add sensitizers (dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, etc) to determine nervous system involvement. Add cervical flexion or visual input to enhance responses. Be mindful of symptoms before and after pain responses. If this test is positive post-operation, it will likely be inflammatory in nature. You can preload the system further with cervical flexion or sidebending the trunk away from the test side. Here are some other ways to perform the SLR with sensitizers first. (I apologize for the way the camera shot in advance). For tibial nerve-bias. For fibular nerve bias. For sural nerve bias. Passive Neck Flexion (PNF) Here is how to perform the test. PNF Hacks. Add SLR to further bias the test. Be mindful of Lhermitte’s sign, which is an electric shock down the arms or spine. This is a must-refer sign as there is potential spinal cord damage. Slump Test Here is how to perform the slump. Slump Knee Bend In the book itself, Butler uses the prone knee bend as his base test. However, NOI does not teach this motion as much and now favors the slump knee bend. This movement allows for much more differentiation to be had. And the saphenous nerve
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter X: Neurodynamic Tests in the Clinic
This is a summary of Chapter X of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. The Tests When assessing neurodynamics, there is a general system that is used including the following tests: Passive neck flexion (PNF). Straight leg raise (SLR). Prone knee bend (PKB). Slump. 4 different upper limb neurodynamic tests (ULNT). I will demonstrate these tests for you in later chapters. Many clinicians when discussing the lower extremity-biased tests deem that maybe only one or two of the tests need to be performed, however this assertion is erroneous. Slump, SLR, and PNF all need to be tested as a cluster. The reason being is that the clinical responses may often differ. This difference is especially noticeable when comparing the SLR and the slump. These two are not equal tests for the following reasons: Components are performed in a different order. Spine position is different. Patients may be more familiar with the SLR, therefore give more familiar responses. The patient is in control during the slump, not in the SLR. The slump is more provocative. Rules of Thumb When testing neurodynamics, here are the following guidelines: 1) Active before passive. 2) Differentiate structures – add/subtract other movements to see if symptoms can change. 3) Document the test order. Positive Test The positive testing here is a little dated based on what Butler’s group and the research says as of right now. Based on what I have learned from Adriaan Louw, having any of the following is what constitutes a positive
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter IX: Manual Assessment of Nerve Conduction
This is a summary of Chapter IX of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. The Value The neurological exam is an excellent way to sample the patient’s nervous system. When looking at the neurological system, we must realize that testing does not reflect a tissue injury alone. It demonstrates the neurological pathway’s response. There is no such thing as a focal lesion in the nervous system. We must also understand that the exam is a very small component of a further comprehensive assessment, providing moderate diagnostic value at best. Sensitivity for a screen like this is inherently poor, meaning this examination cannot rule out nervous system pathology or involvement. Sensory Examination If we are going to walk the neurological walk, we first need to talk the neurological talk. Here are some important definitions. Allodynia: Pain from a non-painful stimulus. Hyperalgesia: Increased response to a painful stimulus. Analgesia: No pain from a painful stimulus. Hyperpathia: Abnormal pain reaction to a repetitive stimulus. Hypoalgesia: Decreased response to a painful stimulus. Hypoesthesia: Decreased sensitivity to a stimulus. Hyperesthesia: Increased sensitivity to a stimulus. Dysesthesia: Unpleasant, but not painful response to a stimulus. First, we will take a look at dermatomes. Now depending on who you talk to, dermatomal levels will be different. Moreover, many people have anatomically variant dermatomes, and often times these can fluctuate throughout the day. There are however, some signature zones that are fairly consistent throughout the literature. There are several different sensations that need to be tested. Make
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter VIII: Palpation and Orientation of Peripheral Nervous System
This is a summary of Chapter VIII of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. Intro Palpation is a major component to therapeutic touch, and gives us a way to build rapport and interact with our patients. When palpating the nervous system, it is important to palpate in sensitive positions so the nervous system is placed on load. Here are some general nerve anatomical rules. Where a nerve has fewer fascicles and less connective tissue, palpation will be more sensitive (ulnar nerve). Where there is a lot of connective tissue, there will be a more localized and less “nervy” response. Where there is increased sensitivity does not mean there is damage locally. Damage could have occurred more proximally (that whole nerves fire in both directions thing). You must also be mindful that anatomical variations are common, especially if symptoms seem anatomically weird. Here are some of the more common ones: Martin-Gruber anastomosis: Median and ulnar communicate distally. Rieche-Cannieu anastomosis: Deep branch of ulnar and recurrent branch of median nerve. Absent musculocutaneous nerve. Palpation 101 Here are some basic nervous system palpation guidelines. Nerves feel hard and slippery. Palpate with your finger tip or thumb, and follow it proximally or distally. Use sustained pressure up to 30 seconds. Twang if easily accessible. If using a Tinel’s, tap the nerve 4-6 times. Spinal Nerve Palpation Here are the craniocervical nerves. The Trunk Upper Extremity Nerve Palpation Brachial plexus The median nerve The Ulnar nerve The Radial Nerve The Musculocutaneous Nerve Lower Extremity
Read MoreExplain Pain Section 1: Intro to Pain
This is a summary of the first section of the book “Explain Pain” by David Butler and Lorimer Moseley. Intro The major premise of this book is that pain is normal. It is the way that your brain judges a situation as threatening. Even if there are problems in the body, pain will not occur if your brain thinks you are not in danger. Explaining pain can reduce the threat value and improve pain management. And the good thing about explaining pain? Research shows that it can be an easily understood concept. Pain is Normal Pain from bites, postures, sprains, and other everyday activities are more often than not changes in the tissues that the brain perceives as threatening. This system is very handy, as often it keeps us from making the same mistake twice. I personally akin this to patients as recognizing a certain smell and that smell reminding you of something. Pain is often the reminder of previous injuries. Pain becomes problematic when it becomes chronic. This pain is often the result of the brain concluding that for some reason, often a subconscious one, that the person is threatened and in danger. The trick is finding out why. Pain Stories Stories are some of the best ways to relate pain to patients. There are many cases when you hear soldiers sustaining major injuries yet charging further into battle. On the flipside, take a look at paper cuts. The damage is very miniscule; however, the pain levels are huge.
Read MoreCourse Notes: The Eclectic Approach to Upper Quarter Evaluation and Treatment
I recently attended this course with my man Erson Religioso III. It was great connecting with him and learning his approach. Check out his stuff on www.themanualtherapist.com Overall, I thought it was an excellent course and definitely opened my mind to an approach (i.e. McKenzie) that I was not a huge fan of. I highly recommend taking one of his courses. Here were some of the pearls I got from his course. My thoughts will be italicized. On Assessments “If you don’t have a system, you are lost in an evaluation.” The SFMA reasons why people get hurt. #1 cause – previous injury. Asymmetry of quality and quantity. Motor control. Stupidity. Just because you clear something once doesn’t mean it has been cleared forever. If one has knee pain and decreased ankle dorsiflexion, check tibial internal rotation. On Education “Never tell people they are train wrecks.” This goes back to reducing the threat response and explaining pain. We want to maximize the placebo effect. On Neuroscience Nerves move like an arm in a sleeve. A tight sleeve wears down myelin which is replaced with ion channels. This is why nerves become sensitive. Also why you must treat the entire nerve container. Abnormal impulse generating site (AIGS) These fire both ways. Not normally at the sight of symptoms. If symptoms are episodic, then it is not centrally maintained. If you skin your knee 10 times in 10 years, you don’t say I have a chronic skinned-knee problem. On Surgery “Less than
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter VII: Assessment with a Place for the Nervous System
This is a summary of Chapter VII of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. Education When it comes to patient education, there are four things that every patient wants to know: 1) What is wrong with me? 2) How long will it take to get better? 3) What can I do for it? 4) What can you (the clinician) do for it? When we do educate, we must not forget that pain is a biopsychosocial phenomenon and multifactorial. The onion skin model below provides a good relationship analogy for this. The first goal addressed in education is making the patient understand pain. Patients must realize that pain is the defender, not the offender. It is our body’s way to perceive a threat. Therefore, we must quell this fear before focusing on function. Here are some suggested ways to describe pain in non-threatening ways. Back trouble. Neck discomfort. Twinges. Feelings. When obtaining pain information from our patients, this is something that we do not have to measure. Instead, it is important to look at variables associated with pain, namely. 1) Geography & nature, aggravating/relieving factors, links. 2) Mechanism of injury. 3) Explore how patient’s classify their symptoms (e.g. my joints are worn out), and ask why they think the symptoms still persist. 4) Consequences of the pain. 5) Coping types. 6) How the patient relates to pain (do they get angry or play the blame game). When determining treatment course, instead of focusing on the structure at fault, look at
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter VI: Clinicians and Their Decisions
This is a summary of Chapter VI of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. Intro All approaches (Maitland, Mckenzie, Mulligan) have myths. The common bond between them all is pain. Today we will look at building a clinical framework with pain as the cornerstone. Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) EBM is defined as a conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making patient care decisions. This concept is not merely reading researches articles, but it combines scientific evidence and clinical expertise. You have to know when to apply what. For manual therapists everywhere, this creates issues and unease. 1) Decision making moves toward an external body. 2) Evidence suggests manual therapy improvements are more psychosocial than physical. 3) A disconnect between researcher and clinician. The researcher thinks: “What does this work contribute to the literature?” The clinician thinks: “What does this work do for my patient?” The movement towards outcome-based therapy per EBM is also problematic for several reasons. 1) Clinicians begin to think statistical analysis becomes greater than any other form of knowledge rather than complimentary. 2) Research doesn’t take into account the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity in a clinical encounter. 3) Good evidence can lead to bad practice if applied in uncaring and unappealing environments. 4) Outcomes may be coming out too quickly, leading to research development stopping in certain areas. Butler’s thoughts are summed up very nicely when he states it would be a sad day if meta-analyses have the final say instead of exposing
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter V: Neurodynamics
This is a summary of Chapter V of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. Intro Neurodynamics is the study and relationship of nervous system mechanics and physiology. The testing protocols for neurodynamics assess the nervous system’s ability to lengthen, glide, and change amongst interfacing structures. When discussing neurodynamics, it is important to think of the nervous system as a continuum. Mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes in one part of the nervous system affect other related parts. Gross Movements and Dynamics When having a nervous system, the following qualities, movements, and buffering capabilities are necessary: Slide, glide, strain. Elongate (think gymnasts) and return from elongated position. Compress (ulnar nerve during elbow flexion). Stength (kicking a field goal). Jolting (whiplash). Repetitive forces Bending Fluid/chemical selectivity. Neural Connective Tissue These include the meninges, nerve root complex, and peripheral nerve structures. Broken down as follows: Meninges Dura mater (outer, tougher) Arachnoid mater Pia mater (inner, thinner) Nerve root complex Root Sleeve Dorsal and ventral roots DRG Spinal nerve. Peripheral nerves Epineurium Perineurium Endoneurium Mesoneurium – Sheath that surrounds a nerve. Contracts like an accordion to glide along adjacent tissues. Can become fibrotic with injury. Important Attachments Meningovertebral ligaments – anchor down to spinal canal, which could become symptomatic. Rectus capitus posterior is connected to the dura mater between the occiput and atlas; helping the dura fold. Makes you wonder what you are truly doing when you release this structure. The sympathetic trunk’s proximity to the spinal column makes it susceptible to increased loads
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter IV: Central Sensitivity, Response, and Homeostatic Systems
This is a summary of Chapter IV of David Butler’s “The Sensitive Nervous System.” Intro Central sensitization is a phenomenon that occurs in the dorsal horn, which can be best described via 4 different states: 1) Normal: Inputs = outputs; innocuous sensations are perceived as such. 2) Suppressed: Inputs that would hurt do not; think an athlete who injures himself but finishes the game. 3) Increased sensitivity: Pain system has lower activation threshold, leading to pain spreading and pain with light touch and gentle movement. This change occurs because A beta fibers begin taking over C fiber locations in the dorsal horn. 4) Maintained afferent barrage, CNS influences, and morphological changes: Long lasting changes in the dorsal horn from a persistent driver, such as… A fiber phenotype changes. Persistent DRG discharge. Persistent inflammation. Supraspinal influences Gene transcription change in dorsal horn neurons. Inflamed dorsal horn or DRG Maladaptive beliefs, fears, and attitudes. Dorsal horn sprouting; A Beta fibers take over C fiber space. Persistent glutamate activity. Descending Control The CNS has an endogenous pain control system which activates during injury threat, noxious cutaneous input, or expectations and learning. Such an example of this is when you go to a healthcare practitioner’s office and no longer hurt. Another example of when this system is activated is during aggressive manual therapy. Think about how good your body may feel after sustained pressure or even a needle to a trigger point. Central Sensitization Patterns Areas/descriptors Symptoms not in neat anatomical/dermatomal boundaries. Original pain
Read MoreThe Sensitive Nervous System Chapter III: Pain Mechanisms and Peripheral Sensitivity
This is a summary of Chapter III of “The Sensitive Nervous System” by David Butler. Intro When we discuss peripheral issues, we are not only talking about the pathoanatomical source, but pathobiological processes dominating the clinical picture. There are several instances in which the pathoanatomical model falls short: Phantom limb pain. Why pain persists post-healing. Why similar injuries heal faster in certain people. Why 10-14% of the world’s population have an ongoing pain state. Tissues do get injured, but we must not forget the nervous system’s intricate link to injury. When tissues are hurt, they repair but are unlikely to ever be the same again. To protect against further threat, the CNS has the ability to increase nerve sensitivity. This change happens only if the person decides consciously or subconsciously that there is a need for it, and does not occur in everyone. There are two ways in which this sensitivity develops; Primary sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to input at the injury site. Secondary sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to uninjured tissues around the injury. All pain is neurogenic, operates in a continuum, and has many components. Nociception (NOC) NOC is tissue pain that occurs at a neuron’s end that is excited by mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimuli. It does not always match up with tissue health status. A normal nerve ending has a very high firing threshold, and nearly 1/3 will never fire. These are called silent nociceptors. Looking at a chemical process such as inflammation shows us how these nerves fire.
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