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Osteopathic Techniques
Student Reference Guide

Colour-coded exam companion — quick-scan cards for every technique

🤰 Pregnancy 👶 Paediatric 👴 Geriatric ⭐ All Ages
🤰

PREGNANCY

19 Techniques
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction Assessment
Assessment
Used For
  • Pelvic girdle pain evaluation
  • Pre-treatment screening
🚩 Red Flags — Do NOT treat if:
  • Severe pelvic girdle pain
  • Weighted band sensation
  • Diagnosed tear or rupture
Indirect STR of Pubic Symphysis
STR
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis tension
  • Pelvic girdle discomfort
Notes Come down from ASIS. If too intense, switch to sacrum traction instead.
Realignment of Symphysis Pubis
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis misalignment
  • Pelvic instability
Frog Legs & Squeeze Arms
MET
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis stabilisation
  • Adductor engagement
Notes Bend knees, place fist between them, patient squeezes.
Bend Knees & 2 Fists / Therapist Stretch
MET
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis & pelvic floor
  • Adductor/hip flexor release
Gentle Direct Technique on Symphysis Pubis (Traction)
Direct
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis decompression
  • Pelvic girdle pain relief
Rib Raising Mobilisation / MET
Mobilisation MET
Used For
  • Stomach, reflux, heartburn → Ribs 5,6,7 LEFT
  • Liver support → Ribs 7,8,9 RIGHT
Notes Can be performed seated or side lying. Adapt position for bump.
Rib Flared Springing / Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Flared ribs in pregnancy
  • Thoracic cage discomfort
Notes Place pillow over bump for comfort and support.
Chapmans Reflex Pumping
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Referred pain to arm
  • Lymphatic/visceral reflex points
Notes Use after neck has already been worked. Referred pain pattern to arm.
Sphincters Thrill Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Visceral sphincter tone
  • Digestive support
Facial Unwinding Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Wrist, elbow, shoulder restrictions
  • Fluid & breathing mechanics
Notes Cannot be supine for long — use pillow at thoracic inlet. Work through wrist → elbow → shoulder chain.
Thoraco-Abdominal Diaphragm Release
Myofascial
Used For
  • Diaphragm tension in pregnancy
  • Breathing restriction
  • Thoracic/abdominal pressure
Sacral Diaphragm Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Pelvic floor tension
  • Sacral mobility
  • Pelvic diaphragm release
Carpal Tunnel Freeing Direct Release
Direct Release
Used For
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Wrist pain & tingling
  • Asthma (good adjunct)
Notes Proximal attachment: deep fascia of forearm.
Clavicle Release Myofascial / BLT
Myofascial BLT
Used For
  • Shoulder injury, AC joint issues
  • Collar bone fractures
  • Tight anterior chest
  • Throat referral
Notes Distal: palmar aponeurosis. Radial: scaphoid tubercle. Ulnar: pisiform.
Scapular Muscle Release Stretch / Traction
Stretch/Traction
Used For
  • Rounded shoulders
  • Weak rhomboids
  • Scoliosis
  • Post-fracture (no HVT)
Notes Suitable for all ages. No HVT. Gentle traction approach.
Tripod Umbilical Release Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Peritoneal cavity restrictions
  • Stomach, bowel, bladder issues
  • Abdominal cramps
Notes Use 3 fingers on baby. Links to gall bladder reflex.
Coccyxina Assessment
Assessment
Used For
  • Sharp spasm pain centrally in glutes
  • Pain that can move to front
  • Worse on sitting
Notes Finger under coccyx pushing up 3× for 7 seconds. Kick technique. Affected side upwards.
Coccyxina Treatment MET / Direct
MET Direct
Used For
  • Coccyx dysfunction
  • Tailbone pain post-birth
Direct Sacral Inhibition Mobilisation / STR
Mobilisation STR
Used For
  • Sacral tension & restriction
  • Pelvic pain in pregnancy
👶

PAEDIATRIC

10 Techniques
Stretching Posterior Chain
Muscle Stretch
Used For
  • Posterior chain tightness
  • Postural restrictions in infants
Still Technique
Mobilisation Inhibition
Used For
  • 1st rib restriction
  • Torticollis
  • Turning problems
  • Latching issues
Notes Baby seated position. Gentle indirect approach.
Rib Raising Stretch / Mobilisation
Stretch Mobilisation
Used For
  • Colic & reflux
  • Respiratory issues
  • Tummy time difficulties
  • Birth trauma / emergency C-section
  • Delayed first breath
  • Recurrent hiccups
  • Assisted delivery recovery
Notes Baby seated. Ensure ribs are moving freely.
Abdominal Diaphragmatic Release
Myofascial
Used For
  • Restricted diaphragm movement
  • Colic, reflux, breathing
Notes Baby supine. Goal: greater diaphragm excursion.
Articulation to Adjust Pubis
Myofascial Mobilisation
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis lesion in infants
  • Pelvic asymmetry
Notes Prone position. Head turned to side of lesion.
Whole Symphysis Pubis MET
MET
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis dysfunction
  • Pelvic floor engagement
Notes Adult version: hold bridge of nose as contact point.
FPR – Facilitated Positional Release (Child Version)
MET
Used For
  • Re-aligning posterior transverse processes
  • Birth trauma (cord around neck)
Notes Child version of FPR. Gentle positional release approach.
Cricoid Myofascial Release
Myofascial
Used For
  • Cricoid cartilage restriction
  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Throat tension
Gallonith Technique
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Middle ear infections
  • Otitis media
  • Eustachian tube dysfunction
Notes Opens Eustachian tube. Lymphatic drainage mechanism.
Stroking the Anterior Chain
Stretch
Used For
  • Anterior fascial chain release
  • Tummy time preparation
  • General infant relaxation
👴

GERIATRIC

13 Techniques
T-Spine Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Thoracic spine stiffness
  • Postural kyphosis
  • Opening thoracic cage
Notes Short prone position. Gentle mobilisation to open thoracic segments.
Ilio Lumbar Ligament Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Lower back pain
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spondylosis
  • Inflammatory conditions
  • Kidney/urinary issues
  • Gynaecological & menopausal symptoms
Notes Pillow under abdomen. Neuromuscular junction stimulus approach.
Chapmans Reflex Pumping
Mobilisation
Used For
  • GERD
  • Level 2: Oesophagus
  • Level 5: Stomach
Notes Slow, slow, slow rhythm. Gentle pumping — do not rush.
Thoracic Pumping Mobilisation / Tissue Release
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Fluid drainage to lungs
  • Upper rib restriction
  • Diaphragm mobility
Sub-Occipital Stretch Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Sinus congestion
  • Headaches & migraines
  • Vertigo & vestibular balance
  • 1st rib restriction
  • Lower back & degenerative disc
  • Spondylosis
  • Kidney/urinary, gynaecological, menopausal
Sub-Occipital Decompression
MET Traction
Used For
  • Occipital compression
  • Headaches at base of skull
  • Cervical nerve root tension
L-Spine Traction Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Lumbar compression
  • Disc degeneration
  • Lower back pain
Sacral Traction Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Sacral compression
  • Pelvic floor tension
  • Lower back & sacroiliac pain
Rib Raising Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • COPD
  • Emphysema
  • Fluid drainage to lungs
Diaphragm Inhibition Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Diaphragm hypertonicity
  • Breathing restriction
  • Visceral tension
C-Spine Counter Strain Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Cervical muscle spasm
  • Neck pain & stiffness
Notes Neuromuscular settings change — resets muscle spindle activity.
Spencer Technique
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Shoulder mobility (T-Spine)
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Post-surgical shoulder
  • Rotator cuff issues
Sphincters Thrill Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Visceral sphincter tone
  • Digestive motility
  • Bladder/bowel support

ALL AGES

3 Techniques
Fascial Release for Temporalis Muscles
Myofascial
Used For
  • Headaches & migraines
  • Tension headaches
  • Colds & sinus infection
  • Blurred vision
  • Pressure behind eyes
  • Sinusitis
  • TMJ dysfunction
  • Cheekbone fracture
  • Skull fracture
  • Whiplash
Notes "Floating eyebrows" technique. Gentle sustained fascial release over temporalis.
Tripod Umbilical Release Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Peritoneal cavity restrictions
  • Stomach, bowel, bladder issues
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Gall bladder reflex
Notes Same technique as Pregnancy section. 3 fingers on umbilicus. Links to gall bladder.
Free the Frontal Nasal Cavity
Myofascial
Used For
  • Nasal congestion
  • Frontal sinus restriction
  • Sinus headaches
  • Breathing difficulties
Notes Gentle frontal bone release.
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