tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 2011-07-01T09:25:32-07:00 How-to's and tips for the professional. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14542 2012-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2012-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

Have you ever had a patient with hip and lateral thigh pain that did not respond to your traditional treatment? Would it be helpful to know which muscles to double check that refer pain into the hip and lateral thigh? Are you looking for cost-effective ways to educate patients and set your practice apart from the competition? Keep reading to get some answers to your questions.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB Have you ever had a patient with hip and lateral thigh pain that did not respond to your traditional treatment? Would it be helpful to know which muscles to double check that refer pain into the hip and lateral thigh? Are you looking for cost-effective ways to educate patients and set your practice apart from the competition? Keep reading to get some answers to your questions. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14538 2012-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2012-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

Cardiovascular disease does not happen overnight. It is a progression that evolves over decades and genetic pre-disposition can accelerate this progression dramatically. That is why we read of so many people in the obituary column dying between the ages of 45 and 65 which is the prime demographic age range of so many of our clients. What is rarely considered is how these progressions toward cardiovascular disease figure into chronic somatic profiles that clients present to us every day and can dramatically affect their quality of life.

By Dale G. Alexander, LMT, MA, PhD Cardiovascular disease does not happen overnight. It is a progression that evolves over decades and genetic pre-disposition can accelerate this progression dramatically. That is why we read of so many people in the obituary column dying between the ages of 45 and 65 which is the prime demographic age range of so many of our clients. What is rarely considered is how these progressions toward cardiovascular disease figure into chronic somatic profiles that clients present to us every day and can dramatically affect their quality of life. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14537 2012-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2012-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

My last article in the October 2011 issue focused on diabetic peripheral neuropathy and I want to stress the importance of reviewing that information before proceeding on to this protocol. This protocol is only successful when you have full client participation and when you understand the clinical significance and importance of this potentially devastating condition. Under treating or failing to engage the client in their own treatment can render this protocol useless. This is a protocol that requires 100% participation and commitment from the therapist and client.

By Rita Woods, LMT My last article in the October 2011 issue focused on diabetic peripheral neuropathy and I want to stress the importance of reviewing that information before proceeding on to this protocol. This protocol is only successful when you have full client participation and when you understand the clinical significance and importance of this potentially devastating condition. Under treating or failing to engage the client in their own treatment can render this protocol useless. This is a protocol that requires 100% participation and commitment from the therapist and client. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14506 2011-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

Patients come to you concerned about their back pain, looking for answers and relief. The pain started when they tried to get out of bed or reached for the keys that fell onto the floor. Your ability to quickly assess your patient's symptoms and communicate your objective findings can determine if they schedule additional appointments, upgrade services or a treatment package, refer others and in some cases the amount of your tip.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB Patients come to you concerned about their back pain, looking for answers and relief. The pain started when they tried to get out of bed or reached for the keys that fell onto the floor. Your ability to quickly assess your patient's symptoms and communicate your objective findings can determine if they schedule additional appointments, upgrade services or a treatment package, refer others and in some cases the amount of your tip. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14502 2011-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

Question: Which assessment test helps you differentiate an injury to the infraspinatus muscle-tendon unit from an injury to the rotator cuff? Answer: Resisted Lateral Rotation.

By Ben Benjamin, PhD Question: Which assessment test helps you differentiate an injury to the infraspinatus muscle-tendon unit from an injury to the rotator cuff? Answer: Resisted Lateral Rotation. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14500 2011-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

As 16-year-old Samuel describes it, when you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you can't concentrate on the things you want to focus on. It is challenging to clearly focus enough to distinguish between important items and those which are not. Everything comes in all at once and it's impossible to filter. Sometimes, it's challenging to distinguish what is real and what is in his head. Often times, he says he feels like he has a cloud on top of his head that won't go away.

By Tina Allen, LMT, CPMMT, CPMT, CIMT As 16-year-old Samuel describes it, when you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you can't concentrate on the things you want to focus on. It is challenging to clearly focus enough to distinguish between important items and those which are not. Everything comes in all at once and it's impossible to filter. Sometimes, it's challenging to distinguish what is real and what is in his head. Often times, he says he feels like he has a cloud on top of his head that won't go away. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14483 2011-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

You can use your massage skills and talents to work on clients with diabetic and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathies. The degree of success is dependent upon the stage/severity of the neuropathy, client compliance with their own medical care and the "homework" you give them, and your understanding and use of the correct massage therapy protocol.

By Rita Woods, LMT You can use your massage skills and talents to work on clients with diabetic and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathies. The degree of success is dependent upon the stage/severity of the neuropathy, client compliance with their own medical care and the "homework" you give them, and your understanding and use of the correct massage therapy protocol. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14482 2011-10-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-10-01T12:00:07-07:00

In the light of clinical studies, and research available today, this article will take a close look at common forearm, wrist and hand problems that often seem to be diagnosed and treated incorrectly. This article is based on a true case study of a client from one of my seminars in Boston. This particular client had recently undergone surgery at both his wrist and elbow. Both surgical procedures were attempts to release the pressure on his median nerve, to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.

By James Waslaski In the light of clinical studies, and research available today, this article will take a close look at common forearm, wrist and hand problems that often seem to be diagnosed and treated incorrectly. This article is based on a true case study of a client from one of my seminars in Boston. This particular client had recently undergone surgery at both his wrist and elbow. Both surgical procedures were attempts to release the pressure on his median nerve, to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14460 2011-08-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-01T12:00:07-07:00

Lomilomi, the Hawaiian healing art form of massage, has been described by Aunt Margaret Machado (the first Hawaiian to get licensed in massage) and others as "loving touch." However, lomi is more than technique. It is a life style and a journey to know one's self on a deeper level.

By Gloria Coppola, LMBT Lomilomi, the Hawaiian healing art form of massage, has been described by Aunt Margaret Machado (the first Hawaiian to get licensed in massage) and others as "loving touch." However, lomi is more than technique. It is a life style and a journey to know one's self on a deeper level. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14448 2011-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

Practitioners are frequently concerned about whether or not it is appropriate to work on clients with herniated discs. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation about this condition. Disc herniations are sometimes blamed for back pain when they are not actually the cause. It is important to understand the anatomy and symptoms of disc herniation to make proper clinical decisions. Massage can be an effective adjunct treatment for clients with this condition.

By Whitney Lowe, LMT Practitioners are frequently concerned about whether or not it is appropriate to work on clients with herniated discs. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation about this condition. Disc herniations are sometimes blamed for back pain when they are not actually the cause. It is important to understand the anatomy and symptoms of disc herniation to make proper clinical decisions. Massage can be an effective adjunct treatment for clients with this condition. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14447 2011-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

A fundamental key to treating the muscular component of most pain, regardless of the modalities and techniques you specialize in, is to know which muscles to treat based on the location of the patient's pain. This article will review the five muscles that produce frontal headache pain based on the research of Drs. Travell and Simons', the common location of the trigger points in each of those muscles and their referral pain patterns. The muscles are: Sternocleidomastoid (clavicular head), Sternocleidomastoid (sternal head), Semispinalis capitis, Frontalis and Zygomaticus Major.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB A fundamental key to treating the muscular component of most pain, regardless of the modalities and techniques you specialize in, is to know which muscles to treat based on the location of the patient's pain. This article will review the five muscles that produce frontal headache pain based on the research of Drs. Travell and Simons', the common location of the trigger points in each of those muscles and their referral pain patterns. The muscles are: Sternocleidomastoid (clavicular head), Sternocleidomastoid (sternal head), Semispinalis capitis, Frontalis and Zygomaticus Major. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14442 2011-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

Although "creep" is an engineering term, it also applies to human tissue...the lumbopelvis in particular. Spinal and sacroiliac ligaments, joint capsules, facet cartilages and especially intervertebral discs are viscoelastic and are somewhat similar to silly putty. Leave a ball of putty on a table overnight and by the next morning it's deformed into a flattened pancake. So be it with humans. We're taller in the morning than at bedtime, primarily due to disc and fascio-ligamentous deformation that occurs throughout the day. Of course, silly putty is much creepier than discs, fascia or ligaments but, in time, gravity will deform and sometimes strain all these materials.

By Erik Dalton, PhD Although "creep" is an engineering term, it also applies to human tissue...the lumbopelvis in particular. Spinal and sacroiliac ligaments, joint capsules, facet cartilages and especially intervertebral discs are viscoelastic and are somewhat similar to silly putty. Leave a ball of putty on a table overnight and by the next morning it's deformed into a flattened pancake. So be it with humans. We're taller in the morning than at bedtime, primarily due to disc and fascio-ligamentous deformation that occurs throughout the day. Of course, silly putty is much creepier than discs, fascia or ligaments but, in time, gravity will deform and sometimes strain all these materials. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14440 2011-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

Lunging was an essential movement for the survival of our ancestors hundreds of thousands of years ago — and it's still a very important movement for people to master today. It should be a staple in every client's strength, conditioning or rehabilitation program. The lunge is an exaggerated form of walking that involves longer, higher and multi-directional use of the gait pattern. Instead of taking a normal step (like when walking), the lunge involves a longer stride, higher knee drive and can be done in any direction (forward, backward, laterally and at an angle).

By Ben Benjamin, PhD Lunging was an essential movement for the survival of our ancestors hundreds of thousands of years ago — and it's still a very important movement for people to master today. It should be a staple in every client's strength, conditioning or rehabilitation program. The lunge is an exaggerated form of walking that involves longer, higher and multi-directional use of the gait pattern. Instead of taking a normal step (like when walking), the lunge involves a longer stride, higher knee drive and can be done in any direction (forward, backward, laterally and at an angle). tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14434 2011-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

The techniques we use as massage therapists are increasingly coming under scrutiny and review. To an extent, this is part of a general movement in health care to review both the effectiveness of interventions and to compare what is actually done in practice with what accumulated evidence suggests would be the "best course".

By Keith Eric Grant, PhD, NCTMB The techniques we use as massage therapists are increasingly coming under scrutiny and review. To an extent, this is part of a general movement in health care to review both the effectiveness of interventions and to compare what is actually done in practice with what accumulated evidence suggests would be the "best course". tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14430 2011-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

I just returned from attending an incredible seminar sponsored by Performance Health. Manual therapy participants included industry leaders and pioneers from the fields of Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, and Massage. Many of the participants had multiple certifications, such as chiropractors that also had degrees in physical therapy and personal training That was followed the very next week by teaching a seminar in Drogheda Ireland, just outside Dublin, to an international group of manual therapists.

By James Waslaski I just returned from attending an incredible seminar sponsored by Performance Health. Manual therapy participants included industry leaders and pioneers from the fields of Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, and Massage. Many of the participants had multiple certifications, such as chiropractors that also had degrees in physical therapy and personal training That was followed the very next week by teaching a seminar in Drogheda Ireland, just outside Dublin, to an international group of manual therapists. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14426 2011-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

As massage therapy gains popularity as one of the most commonly, used modalities among those offered in complementary and alternative medicine, more research is addressing the physiological effects and mechanisms of massage. This month's Massage Therapy Foundation research synopsis reviews an intriguing study out of Umea University, in Sweden, that evaluated the physiological effects of touch massage and was published in the journal, Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical.

By Massage Therapy Foundation Contributor As massage therapy gains popularity as one of the most commonly, used modalities among those offered in complementary and alternative medicine, more research is addressing the physiological effects and mechanisms of massage. This month's Massage Therapy Foundation research synopsis reviews an intriguing study out of Umea University, in Sweden, that evaluated the physiological effects of touch massage and was published in the journal, Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14414 2011-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

Knowing the specific pain patterns of each muscle gives you many advantages over your competition and allows you to most effectively apply your specialized skills. This knowledge allows you to efficiently assess, educate and design treatment plans tailored to your patient's complaints.

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB Knowing the specific pain patterns of each muscle gives you many advantages over your competition and allows you to most effectively apply your specialized skills. This knowledge allows you to efficiently assess, educate and design treatment plans tailored to your patient's complaints. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14412 2011-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

Much has been written about loss of flexibility and range of motion due to fascial contractures, trigger points, spasmodic muscles and the like, with less emphasis on the neurology that may be initiating these soft tissue changes. Here are some thoughts on how injuries to joint capsules and spinal ligaments can reflexively spasm neighboring tissues leading to decompensation, altered movement patterns and pain-spasm-pain cycles.

By Erik Dalton, PhD Much has been written about loss of flexibility and range of motion due to fascial contractures, trigger points, spasmodic muscles and the like, with less emphasis on the neurology that may be initiating these soft tissue changes. Here are some thoughts on how injuries to joint capsules and spinal ligaments can reflexively spasm neighboring tissues leading to decompensation, altered movement patterns and pain-spasm-pain cycles. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14411 2011-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

Central sensitization is defined as 'an augmentation of responsiveness of central pain-signalling neurons to input from low-threshold mechanoreceptors' (Nijs 2009). The evolution of chronic pain has been shown to have strong association with the process of central sensitization, in which there is enhanced sensitivity to various modes of painful and non-painful stimuli (Buchgreitz et al 2006).

By Leon Chaitow, ND, DO Central sensitization is defined as 'an augmentation of responsiveness of central pain-signalling neurons to input from low-threshold mechanoreceptors' (Nijs 2009). The evolution of chronic pain has been shown to have strong association with the process of central sensitization, in which there is enhanced sensitivity to various modes of painful and non-painful stimuli (Buchgreitz et al 2006). tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14397 2011-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

We are all either an elder (some of us), someone who cares about an elder (most of us), or someone who will be an elder (practically all of us). According to the American Medical Association, in 2011 America's 78 million baby boomers will begin turning 65 at a rate of one every 10 seconds. Of those, about 69 percent will need some form of long-term care. What does this have to do with massage therapy and why should you care? As care communities across the nation adopt person-centered policies and practices, they are finding that massage therapy supports this mission.

By Ann Catlin, LMT, NCTMB, OTR We are all either an elder (some of us), someone who cares about an elder (most of us), or someone who will be an elder (practically all of us). According to the American Medical Association, in 2011 America's 78 million baby boomers will begin turning 65 at a rate of one every 10 seconds. Of those, about 69 percent will need some form of long-term care. What does this have to do with massage therapy and why should you care? As care communities across the nation adopt person-centered policies and practices, they are finding that massage therapy supports this mission. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14394 2011-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

As a practicing therapist, I know the anxiety one can feel to produce results during a therapy session. Throughout your career, clients will present you with iliosacral pain that is very sensitive to the touch. In some cases, they report no longer wearing tight-fitting pants or jeans because the pressure on their sacrum or coccyx produces too much pain. So how do you provide relief in this area if you can't touch it?

By David Kent, LMT, NCTMB As a practicing therapist, I know the anxiety one can feel to produce results during a therapy session. Throughout your career, clients will present you with iliosacral pain that is very sensitive to the touch. In some cases, they report no longer wearing tight-fitting pants or jeans because the pressure on their sacrum or coccyx produces too much pain. So how do you provide relief in this area if you can't touch it? tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14392 2011-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

Have you ever been home alone late at night when a tiny creak in a floorboard suddenly becomes a gunman breaking in? That's your reticular activating system (RAS) triggering an adrenal response that's preparing you to fight or flee.

By Sharon Desjarlais, CC Have you ever been home alone late at night when a tiny creak in a floorboard suddenly becomes a gunman breaking in? That's your reticular activating system (RAS) triggering an adrenal response that's preparing you to fight or flee. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14390 2011-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

As an educator, it's critical to keep abreast of current research and to constantly challenge your belief systems. You may have read the popular article "Don't Get Married" (MT February 2008) written by a close friend and colleague Erik Dalton.1 In that piece, he cautioned manual therapists about getting too attached to trends and techniques for fear that new research findings may prove them totally wrong. Regardless of whether you are an educator, practicing therapist or both, keeping up-to-date with the latest information is essential to our profession; and in some cases, it will also keep old school techniques in the past where they belong.

By James Waslaski As an educator, it's critical to keep abreast of current research and to constantly challenge your belief systems. You may have read the popular article "Don't Get Married" (MT February 2008) written by a close friend and colleague Erik Dalton.1 In that piece, he cautioned manual therapists about getting too attached to trends and techniques for fear that new research findings may prove them totally wrong. Regardless of whether you are an educator, practicing therapist or both, keeping up-to-date with the latest information is essential to our profession; and in some cases, it will also keep old school techniques in the past where they belong. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14379 2011-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

Pain in the lateral hip, thigh, and leg can cause serious, sometimes debilitating discomfort. These complaints are often diagnosed as an inflammatory joint problem such as trochanteric bursitis. Yet, the problem may revolve around dysfunction in the hip abductor muscles and not be bursitis at all. When the hip abductor muscles are the root of the problem, massage therapy is an exceptional way to bring your clients relief and get them back to full activity levels.

By Whitney Lowe, LMT Pain in the lateral hip, thigh, and leg can cause serious, sometimes debilitating discomfort. These complaints are often diagnosed as an inflammatory joint problem such as trochanteric bursitis. Yet, the problem may revolve around dysfunction in the hip abductor muscles and not be bursitis at all. When the hip abductor muscles are the root of the problem, massage therapy is an exceptional way to bring your clients relief and get them back to full activity levels. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14377 2011-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

Part one of this article dealt with facts about Alzheimer's disease. As an educator, I believe that facts are a good place to start to understand a topic. Facts give us the big picture about the disease, demographics and guidelines. I've been around people with dementia my entire professional career. I've seen how this disease takes the brain a little at a time and the heartbreaking loss that families endure. My formal education focused on impaired intellectual and functional abilities as the phrase "death by a thousand subtractions" reflects.

By Ann Catlin, LMT, NCTMB, OTR Part one of this article dealt with facts about Alzheimer's disease. As an educator, I believe that facts are a good place to start to understand a topic. Facts give us the big picture about the disease, demographics and guidelines. I've been around people with dementia my entire professional career. I've seen how this disease takes the brain a little at a time and the heartbreaking loss that families endure. My formal education focused on impaired intellectual and functional abilities as the phrase "death by a thousand subtractions" reflects. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14376 2011-03-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-01T12:00:07-07:00

Today, massage therapists have a wide variety of great mediums they can purchase thanks to the Internet, massage warehouses, massage school stores and convention booths. But have we therapists ever stopped to think about what past practitioners - "operators" as they were called - used for massage mediums?

By Judi Calvert, LMP Today, massage therapists have a wide variety of great mediums they can purchase thanks to the Internet, massage warehouses, massage school stores and convention booths. But have we therapists ever stopped to think about what past practitioners - "operators" as they were called - used for massage mediums? tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14371 2011-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

It's astonishing the money and time many elite and "weekend-warrior" cyclists devote to retrofitting racing bikes to conform to their bodies rather than first restoring function to the most critical piece of racing equipment: the rider's body. When muscle imbalances, faulty movement patterns and joint fixations distort the body's bony framework, the cyclist is led on a never-ending journey searching for that perfect bike fit.

By Erik Dalton, PhD It's astonishing the money and time many elite and "weekend-warrior" cyclists devote to retrofitting racing bikes to conform to their bodies rather than first restoring function to the most critical piece of racing equipment: the rider's body. When muscle imbalances, faulty movement patterns and joint fixations distort the body's bony framework, the cyclist is led on a never-ending journey searching for that perfect bike fit. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14366 2011-02-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-02-01T12:00:07-07:00

When I was studying osteopathy and naturopathy in London in the late 1950s, I was taught neuromuscular technique (NMT) as part of our soft-tissue assessment and treatment course. The version of NMT that I learned had been developed in the 1930s by my father's cousin Stanley Lief, ND, DC, assisted by his cousin (my uncle), Boris Chaitow, ND, DC. Lief had modified a traditional Asian technique, taught by a Dr. Varma, an Ayurvedic physician working in Paris. It may be of peripheral interest to know that among the people who contacted Varma at that time was Ida Rolf; although, whether she incorporated any of his work into hers is not known.

By Leon Chaitow, ND, DO When I was studying osteopathy and naturopathy in London in the late 1950s, I was taught neuromuscular technique (NMT) as part of our soft-tissue assessment and treatment course. The version of NMT that I learned had been developed in the 1930s by my father's cousin Stanley Lief, ND, DC, assisted by his cousin (my uncle), Boris Chaitow, ND, DC. Lief had modified a traditional Asian technique, taught by a Dr. Varma, an Ayurvedic physician working in Paris. It may be of peripheral interest to know that among the people who contacted Varma at that time was Ida Rolf; although, whether she incorporated any of his work into hers is not known. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14354 2011-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

I have been with Massage Today since the first year of publication in 2001. So many new readers have joined us since that first year, and many are now viewing these articles for the first time. This 10th year of publication seemed like a good time to review some of the basics of aromatherapy and begin again ... from the beginning.

By Shellie Enteen, RA, BA, LMBT I have been with Massage Today since the first year of publication in 2001. So many new readers have joined us since that first year, and many are now viewing these articles for the first time. This 10th year of publication seemed like a good time to review some of the basics of aromatherapy and begin again ... from the beginning. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14317 2010-11-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-11-01T12:00:07-07:00

In a previous installment of this column, we discussed dysfunction of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle. Our discussion covered the basics of the condition and some primary assessment principles. However, it's also important to have appropriate strategies for treating the problem. This article covers specific technique suggestions that are valuable in addressing this challenging lower extremity problem. Traditional medical approaches for addressing FHL dysfunction may advocate treatments such as corticosteroid injections. Keep in mind that one component of the FHL dysfunction may involve stenosing tenosynovitis, a narrowing of the synovial sheaths around the affected tendon. Some medical practitioners advocate the use of anti-inflammatory medications because there can be inflammatory activity with the tenosynovitis.

By Whitney Lowe, LMT In a previous installment of this column, we discussed dysfunction of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle. Our discussion covered the basics of the condition and some primary assessment principles. However, it's also important to have appropriate strategies for treating the problem. This article covers specific technique suggestions that are valuable in addressing this challenging lower extremity problem. Traditional medical approaches for addressing FHL dysfunction may advocate treatments such as corticosteroid injections. Keep in mind that one component of the FHL dysfunction may involve stenosing tenosynovitis, a narrowing of the synovial sheaths around the affected tendon. Some medical practitioners advocate the use of anti-inflammatory medications because there can be inflammatory activity with the tenosynovitis.