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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

20 Techniques
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction Assessment
Assessment
Used For
  • Pelvic girdle pain evaluation
  • Pre-treatment screening
Notes Come down from ASIS level to find public bone.
🚩 Red Flags — Do NOT treat if:
  • Severe pelvic girdle pain
  • Wearing a weighted band
  • Diagnosed with symphysis pubis tear or rupture
  • Have found a dysfunction — traction of the sacrum
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
Used For
  • Rib mobility in pregnancy
  • Thoracic cage opening
  • Breathing mechanics
Notes Seated or side lying. Adapt position for bump.
Rib Flared Springing / Mobilisation
Springing Mobilisation
Used For
  • Flared ribs in pregnancy
  • Thoracic cage discomfort
Notes Seated or side lying.
Chapmans Reflex Pumping
Pumping
Used For
  • 5, 6, 7 on left for Stomach — reflux, heartburn
  • 7, 8, 9 on right for liver
  • Increase fluid to lungs
  • Mobilise upper ribs
  • Release diaphragm
Notes Pillow over the bump.
Spinters Thrill Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Notes Pillow over the bump.
Facial Unwinding Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Wrist, elbow, shoulder
  • Increasing fluid and breathing mechanics below the foetus
  • Loosen issues with sacrum, pelvic floor muscles
  • Lymphatic chain, blood supply, nerve supply
Notes If getting referred pain to the arm and have already worked on the neck. Cannot be supine for long — pillow at thoracic inlet.
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
  • Good for asthma sufferers of all ages
  • Shoulder injury, AC Adj can't be done
  • Collar bone fractures
  • Tight anterior chest or throat referral
Notes Proximal: deep fascia of forearm. Distal: palmar aponeurosis. Radial: scaphoid tubercle & ridge of trapezium. Ulnar: pisiform & hook of hamate.
Clavicle Release Myofascial / BLT
Myofascial BLT
Used For
  • Rounded shoulders, weak rhomboids
  • Fractures, scoliosis
  • Anyone that can't have a HVT done
  • Tight anterior chest or throat referral
Notes Can be done on all ages. Myofascial release/unwinding, BLT.
Scapular Muscle Release Stretch / Traction
Stretch/Traction
Used For
  • Releases part of the peritoneal cavity
  • Stomach issues, bowel/bladder issues, cramps, QL issues
  • Can link to the gall bladder
  • One hand on umbilicus, other under right scapula
Notes Stretch mobilisation/traction. Suitable for all ages.
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
Notes Patient lies with affected side upwards. If they can't do this, it's inhibition only.
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
  • 1st rib
  • Torticollis
  • Problems turning to one side
  • Problems latching on one side when feeding
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
  • Get the ribs moving
  • Colic & reflux
  • Respiratory issues
  • If they don't like tummy time
Notes Baby is seated.
Ribs BLT Myofascial Release
Myofascial BLT
Used For
  • Birth trauma / emergency C-section
  • Delayed first breath
  • Recurrent hiccups
  • Assisted delivery recovery
Notes Baby is supine. Gentle balanced ligamentous tension.
Abdominal Diaphragmatic Release
Myofascial Mobilisation
Used For
  • Encouraging greater movement of the diaphragm
Articulation to Adjust the Whole Symphysis Pubis
MET
Used For
  • Pubic symphysis lesion in infants
  • Pelvic asymmetry
Notes Prone & 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
  • For a baby if they had the cord around their neck during birth
Notes With an adult hold the bridge of the nose.
Stroking the Anterior Chain
Lymphatic Drainage
Used For
  • Lymphatic drainage
  • Anterior chain release
👴

GERIATRIC

15 Techniques
T-Spine Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Mobilise the spine
Notes Patient prone, use of opposite shoulder.
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
  • Increase fluid to lungs
  • Mobilise upper ribs
  • Release diaphragm
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
Sub-Occipital Decompression
MET Traction
Used For
  • Sinus congestion
  • Headaches & migraines
  • Vertigo & vestibular balance
  • 1st rib restriction
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
  • Increasing fluid to the lungs
Diaphragm Inhibition Myofascial
Myofascial Release
Used For
  • Diaphragm hypertonicity
  • Breathing restriction
  • Visceral tension
Diaphragm Toggle Myofascial
Myofascial Release
Used For
  • Encouraging change through neuromuscular settings
  • Diaphragm release
C-Spine Counter Strain Myofascial
Myofascial
Used For
  • Encouraging a change through the neuromuscular settings
Spencer Technique
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Moving the T-Spine
Spinters Thrill Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Moving the T-Spine
Galbraith Technique
Mobilisation
Used For
  • Opens up the Eustachian tube
  • Middle ear infections
  • Otitis media

ALL AGES

4 Techniques
Fascial Release for Temporalis Muscles
Myofascial
Used For
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Tension headaches
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
  • Can link to the gall bladder
Notes Only use 3 fingers on a baby & add an occiput hold. One hand on umbilicus, other under right scapula.
Free the Frontal Nasal Cavity
Myofascial
Used For
  • Coughs, colds, sinus infection
  • Headaches
  • Pressure behind the eyes
  • Blurred vision
Notes Gentle frontal bone release.
Craniofacial Myofascial Release
Myofascial
Used For
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Sinusitis
  • TMJ issues
  • Fracture to cheek bone
  • Skull fracture
  • Whiplash
Notes Last video from white shirt weekend in Jan.
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