Positional release techniques as a diagnostic-therapeutic approach in physiotherapy

Luca Collebrusco

doi:10.4236/ojtr.2014.21004

Abstract

Manual Therapy is a rehabilitative approach based on the use of therapeutic procedures that includes several techniques, but this paper focuses on what is known as Positional Release (PR), a therapeutic model that includes a series of manoeuvres that are mainly used for the treatment of soft tissue. A deeper understanding of this type of therapeutic approach, especially its well known and widespread variant, Strain-Counterstrain, could, through controlled trials and systematic reviews, confirm its effectiveness, definitively explain the neurophysiological mechanism, and therefore make Positional Release another indispensable option in the professional expertise of the physiotherapist.

Highlights

Manual Therapy is a rehabilitative approach based on the use of therapeutic procedures that, according to the practice of evidence-based medicine, are constantly being updated, and have become an integral part of the specialized training of the physiotherapist
This type of therapy includes several techniques, but this paper focuses on what is known as Positional Release (PR), a therapeutic model that includes a series of manoeuvres that are mainly used for the treatment of soft tissue, essentially based on the palpation of tissues involved during positioning, so that these reach the highest degree of comfort or ease, without using pain as a guide [1]
High velocity/low amplitude technique (HVLA), Muscular energy technique (ME), and Myofascial Release (MR), are known as “direct” techniques (Figure 1). The former have the purpose of facilitating the modification of the restriction of mobility, going in the opposite direction to that restriction, by moving the segment affected by the restriction of mobility, to bring it towards a condition of comfort or neutral dynamic; on the other hand, the latter face such restrictions by moving the segment towards the same restriction

Summary

Introduction

Manual Therapy is a rehabilitative approach based on the use of therapeutic procedures that, according to the practice of evidence-based medicine, are constantly being updated, and have become an integral part of the specialized training of the physiotherapist. This type of therapy includes several techniques, but this paper focuses on what is known as Positional Release (PR), a therapeutic model that includes a series of manoeuvres that are mainly used for the treatment of soft tissue, essentially based on the palpation of tissues involved during positioning, so that these reach the highest degree of comfort or ease, without using pain as a guide [1].

Results

Conclusion