Advanced Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques: Vol. 2 - Head and Neck; Vol. 3

Advanced Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques: Vol. 2 - Head and Neck; Vol. 3 - Shoulder, Arm and Hand Pain

Video Review by Jeffrey Kintish, DC

Title:

Advanced Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques: Vol. 2 - Head and Neck; Vol. 3 - Shoulder, Arm and Hand Pain

Editor:

Erik Dalton, PhD

Publisher:

Freedom from Pain Institute

Format:

DVD (also available on VHS)

Price:

$118.95 each or both volumes for $220.00

Part #:

MV-13/MV-14

Dr. Erik Dalton has developed an excellent video series designed to combine techniques and examination procedures from musculo-therapy and skeletal therapy. He has cleverly brought together concepts and techniques from a variety of well-known scholars and practitioners, such as Dr. Janet Travell and Dr. Vladimir Janda. His style of teaching makes this video series an enjoyable learning experience for the practitioner interested in a musculoskeletal approach toward altered body mechanics.

The presentations are of outstanding quality and clarity. This high-tech production offers plenty of demonstrations using plastic models, cadaver specimens, animated graphics and pictures. You will benefit from a well-organized review of spinal and muscular anatomy throughout the program. All techniques are delivered on patients and clearly explained.

Volume 2 is a two-disk set that takes the viewer into "Advanced Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques" (MAT) involving the neck, upper back and chest. On disk one, Dr. Dalton reviews his "dirty dozen" techniques, which are 12 advanced methods for the correction of the Upper Cross Syndrome. Disk 2 reviews the treatment of more chronic and difficult cases seen involving the head, neck and upper extremity. You will learn fascial release techniques for the diaphragm, thoracic outlet region, and other areas of compensation. Later on, he reviews treatment to the base of the skull and release techniques for the sub-occipital muscles in cases of whiplash, headache and neck pain.

Evaluation techniques are also demonstrated for altered biomechanics and release methods for the anterior and posterior cervical musculature. A great concept is utilized here: Myotherapy procedures are delivered on a glass surface under the patient, allowing the viewer to see the hand action of the practitioner. I thought it was a unique concept in teaching manual methods on patients while they are supine. Overall, you will find these clips superb. There is a lot of information to learn and review; however, being able to spin through it on this form of media allows you to learn as time allows. Dr. Dalton does a good job of passing on the work of the late Dr. Janda. I found Dr. Dalton to be in alignment with some of chiropractic's principles, particularly his belief that just fixing pain is an ineffective approach to better health. His goal is to balance the compensatory patterns of the body while working toward a total structural correction. He gets close, but does not adjust the spine, suggesting a referral to his "chiropractic buddies" when a muscular approach isn't enough.

Dr. Dalton has also recently developed a third volume of this video series, this time emphasizing soft-tissue techniques for the shoulder, arm and hand. As in previous volumes, he approaches dysfunctions with the restoration of altered body mechanics in mind. The presentations are once again of outstanding quality and clarity, including a great anatomical review of the relevant structures.

On disk one, Dr. Dalton demonstrates a variety of PNF and massage techniques to mobilize all restricted barriers in ROM of the sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint, glenohumeral joint, distal and proximal radiocarpal joints, interosseous membrane and scapulothoracic joint. During his examination, Dr. Dalton takes a biomechanical approach, looking for tissue abnormality, asymmetry and motion restrictions. Next, he reviews specific conditions that are seen commonly in practice, such as thoracic outlet syndrome, supraspinatus tendonitis, subdeltoid bursitis, subscapular tendonitis and bicipital tendonitis. When treating for these painful regions, he quite often moves beyond the joint of complaint and restores function in neighboring tissues.

Dr. Kintish's Rating:

10/9.5 out of 10

Disk two focuses on the elbow and wrist, ending with the treatment of a patient presenting with a frozen shoulder. He reviews various elbow conditions, such as tennis elbow, golfers elbow and ulnar entrapment. For the wrist, he presents his approach toward the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, Dequervain's syndrome and trigger finger. The frozen shoulder demonstration that ends this section of the disk involves a number of unique procedures to improve muscle and capsular mobility.

Overall, Advanced Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, Volumes 2 and 3 explore a number of soft-tissue methods for the treatment of conditions that you see in your office daily. As you know, chiropractic adjustments to the extremities work famously. However, in cases in which it is too painful to apply a quick thrust on a joint during the early stages of care, utilizing some of Dr. Dalton's methods may help get the patient off to a pain-free start. The goal here is improved biomechanics, moving toward normal function. These video series show you another way.
President, Association for Catholic Chiropractors