Category Archives: Manual Therapy

How to do a more effective neck massage using the Turtle

Posted on November 28, 2011 by don miller massage

The video below is a 2.5 min demonstration of the Turtle.  I developed this simple tool for massage a couple of years ago.  I use it everyday in my practice and have grow to like it more and more. Occasionally, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cervical Spine, Functional Movement, General Massage Discussion, Manual Therapy, Massage Technique Anatomy, Massage Technique Palpation, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy NMT | 1 Comment

Massage Techniques: What to Do when the Greater Trochanter is Posterior and Internal Rotation is Limited

Posted on October 24, 2011 by don miller massage

I’ve noticed a fairly common occurance with my clients. One hip will present (with the client prone) as more posterior. The evidence is that, on palpation, the greater trochanter will be more posterior and higher off the table. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in General Massage Discussion, Hip Mobility, How to basics, Manual Therapy, Massage Technique Anatomy, Massage Technique Palpation, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy | Leave a comment

Massage Techniques: How to Use Fascial Anchoring to Assess Rotational Movement of the Thoracic Spine

Posted on October 17, 2011 by don miller massage

Fascial tracks are continuous from head to toe and influence our movement and our sense of stiffness. Understanding how fascial tracks can contribute to or limit movement is helpful for effective hands on treatment. The popular  Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians … Continue reading →

Posted in Core Integration, Functional Movement, General Massage Discussion, How to basics, Manual Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Movement, Shoulder Mobility | 1 Comment

Massage Techniques: Treatment of Psoas and Iliacus Muscles

Posted on September 12, 2011 by don miller massage

As a follow up to my post on Muscle Testing of the Psoas Muscle, here is a video blog from a friend and collegue Patrick Ward.  Patrick’s video demonstrates how to do a soft tissue treatment of the psoas and … Continue reading →

Posted in Core Integration, Functional Movement, General Massage Discussion, Hip Flexors, Hip Mobility, Manual Therapy, Massage Technique Anatomy, Massage Technique Palpation, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy NMT, Psoas | 2 Comments

Massage Techniques: How to Interpret the Active Straight Leg Raise and Resisted Active Straight Leg Raise

Posted on September 4, 2011 by don miller massage

The Active straight leg raise is a useful tool in evaluating the body’s ability to transfer load from the lower extremity through the pelvis and lumbosacral junction to the upper extremity. This functional movement is a part of everyday life … Continue reading →

Posted in Core Integration, Functional Movement, Hip Flexors, Hip Mobility, How to basics, Manual Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Movement, Psoas | 3 Comments

One of My Favorite Massage Technique Books for Clients and Therapists

Posted on September 3, 2011 by don miller massage

Here is an Amazon link to one of the best resources for clients and therapists. It is a self care gem. Every doctor’s office should have one but, sadly, they don’t. Most don’t even know it exists. Trigger points are … Continue reading →

Posted in General Massage Discussion, How to basics, Manual Medicine, Manual Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy NMT | Leave a comment

Massage Techniques: How to Assess for Proper Slide and Roll Action in the Gleno-Humeral Joint

Posted on August 29, 2011 by don miller massage

Normal shoulder function includes a complex biomechanical action of the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity. As the humerus abducts the head of the humerus rolls superiorly on the glenoid cavity. This roll action leads to the humerus … Continue reading →

Posted in Functional Movement, How to basics, Manual Therapy, Massage Technique Anatomy, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Movement, Shoulder Mobility | 1 Comment

Massage Techniques: How to do an Abdominal Brace for Core Activation

Posted on August 20, 2011 by don miller massage

This core activation sequence teaches the sensation of complete and efficient core activation. The instructions are given in a three step progression with each step building on the previous steps.  For most clients the sensation of complete core activation is … Continue reading →

Posted in Core Integration, Functional Movement, Hip Flexors, How to basics, Manual Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy NMT | 3 Comments

Massage Techniques: How Fascial Manipulation Affects Spindle Cells and Muscle Tone

Posted on August 12, 2011 by don miller massage

As a follow up to my post about Facial Manipulation, here is an interesting  comment by Dr. Warren Hammer.  Dr. Hammer is a leading Chiropractor, author of several books that are must reads for hands on therapists, and US contact … Continue reading →

Posted in Fascial Manipulatioin, How to basics, Manual Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Movement | Leave a comment

Massage Techniques: How to Assess for Neural Tension in the Sciatic Nerve

Posted on August 9, 2011 by don miller massage

How to Assess for Neural Tension in the Sciatic Nerve Client position: Supine A client presenting with a report of “sciatica” or with numbness or tingling in the lower extremity can benefit from the following assessment. Perform a Passive Straight … Continue reading →

Posted in General Massage Discussion, How to basics, Manual Medicine, Manual Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Therapy, Movement, Stretching | 1 Comment