Still technique
London, 27/10 & 10/11
This two-day course introduced us to a set of techniques based the original techniques Dr Still used on his patients. Since he has never taught 'technique' as such, I understand that they are based on witness accounts and written descriptions of principle and movement.
Essentially, these techniques go back to the original idea of moving the bone back to its anatomically appropriate position. This means that both a comprehensive anatomical knowledge and a fine palpatory awareness of the lesion are underlying this (and any other, really) technique. I have seen the two tutors who conducted the course perform Still technique before. It is rather unimpressive and short in duration. However, the dance-like motion which one performs with the limbs did somehow appeal to me in its smoothness of flow. I was positively surprised when during our first day we had to grapple with the lesion concept and the technical reversion of such by the power of these techniques. Being described as 'indirect, then direct' techniques one moves the joint into its position of ease, compresses and exaggerates the lesion and then confronts the barrier throughout a full movement arch at the respective joint whilst maintaining an element of compression. Apart from any palpatory subtlety and refinement, the simple act of sweeping the limb through its full range of motion at a joint and all that under constant axial compression is not easy at all. If successfully applied the lesion should be reversed and a cavitation may be perceived. Ever since the first day of the course I have attempted to practice the techniques. I seem to have had some effect in colleagues I treated - not always for the better, which made me aware of the potential impact of a seemingly harmless technique. In clinic, some patients were treated on certain body regions with just that technique - with limited success so far, as I must add. Never mind that, I will continue to practice and I am sure that one day Still technique will be another useful tool in the box. |
A.T Still performing technique; around the turn of the 19th century.
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