A STRETCHING SYSTEM TO RELEASE THE PSOAS GROUP The goal of the manipulation of the hind limbs is to be able to bring the hind limb forward and bring it dorsally to activate the Spindle cells in the muscle belly of the Psoas thus allowing a relaxation effect. The “release” result is actually a relaxation of the Psoas group. The limb is circled so that gentle release occurs both in abduction and adduction. Typically the stretches are done in a series of three positions performing one to three repetitions on each one of the three release positions. For the first release, the hind limb is simply picked up to a height of about six inches and maintained in alignment with the other hind limb. The limb is then gently circled in both directions, pausing for release if restrictions are felt. This is done for about 45 seconds and repeated if the horse has difficulty with the procedure. The second release movement requires that the limb be brought to a height of about 12 - 14 inches and brought forward to a position about midway between the front and hind limbs. The procedure is the same - gently rotating the entire limb in gentle circles both ways and, if tolerated, carrying the limb across the midline while circling. An assistant on the other side of the horse can be very helpful. Again, continue the release for approximately 45 seconds. Repeat if necessary. The third phase brings the limb to as much height as can be achieved and as far forward as the patient readily tolerates. Again hold the release pose for about 45 seconds. It is important to do the stretches bilaterally Several repetitions may be required in order to achieve release. The stretches should be performed daily or even twice daily for a week to ten days. Often after the first few days, the first position stretch can be eliminated and proceed directly to the stage two release. After a week, do the stretches twice a week for two weeks, then once a week for another two weeks. These stretches can be very hard on the operator’s back. The value of good body mechanics cannot be over-emphasized. It is important, for a successful resolution, to instruct the owner/trainer or groom to do follow-up stretches. When hypertonicity is relieved, one may carefully add hind limb stretching in the caudal direction. Rearward stretches tend to activate the Golgi bodies at the musculo-tendonous attachments and have a net effect of increasing tension in the psoas group. Applying traction to a muscle already in severe tension/shortening state tends to only increase the tension. The proprioceptive response from the Golgi bodies “informs the central nervous system” that there is too much tension. So the efferent signal back to the muscles indicates that the muscles should tense against the strain. When horses have hypertonicity in the psoas group, they often resist having a hind limb picked up for trimming and shoeing. Often this resistance can be ameliorated by asking the farrier to first bring the hindlimb forward, hold it for a few moments then “walk” the leg around in an abducted position to the final shoeing position. It may also be helpful if the farrier can work on the leg without too much elevation. When dealing with chronic and recurrent pain, as well as when trying to correct the performance deficits that these horses incur, it is most important to realize how the results of soft tissue work can markedly enhance the success of allopathic treatment, musculo-skeletal manipulation, and acupuncture treatment.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 23:30:36 +0000
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