Prerequisite: Professional healthcare practitioner, student in healthcare program or graduate awaiting licensure/accreditation
Joint Balancing Upper Quadrant (JBUQ)
The purpose of JB is to treat joint hypomobility, hypertonic muscles, and fascial tension. JB is a direct manual therapy technique in which the practitioner positions the patient’s affected joint at its restrictive barrier in 1, 2 or 3 planes of motion. A gentle isometric contraction is used to relax and lengthen the muscle and/or fascial tension and normalize the joint dysfunction. JB expands on the work and teachings of Dr. Fred Mitchell, Sr. D.O. (Muscle Energy Techniques).
This course will teach you how to evaluate and treat joint hypomobility in the cervical and thoracic spine, the rib cage, shoulder, elbow wrist and hand.
Course Objectives
Gain an understanding of the history, principles, and neuromuscular basis of Joint Balancing
Conduct a thorough orthopedic evaluation for the joints of the cervical and thoracic spine, the rib cage, shoulder, elbow wrist and hand
Ability to chart your results of the evaluation and formulate a treatment plan
Be able to palpate a "muscle barrier"
Be able to palpate bony landmarks of the cervical and thoracic spine, the rib cage, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
Decide on the proper sequence of treatment
Perform Joint Balancing on the joint of the cervical and thoracic spine, the rib cage, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
Understand the clinical importance of Joint Balancing and the treatment of joint and musculoskeletal dysfunctions
Integrate Joint Balancing with other treatment modalities
JB will help reduce joint hypomobility, muscle tension, fascial tension, pain, and swelling, and will help to restore proper joint biomechanics, functional ROM and postural alignment. JB can be used in the treatment of back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, rib pain, upper and lower extremity orthopedic dysfunctions, swelling, and postural asymmetry. Because of the gentleness and effectiveness of JB, it is appropriate with the following patient populations: pediatrics, geriatrics, sports injuries, auto accidents, general orthopedic conditions, amputees, respiratory and neurological patients. You will be given a highly illustrated manual outlining each evaluation and treatment technique. This course involves a combination of theory, demonstration and hands-on practice. Evaluation and treatments will be performed by each participant using the methods learned. Plenty of time is allotted for hands-on practice as well as questions, discussion and review.
JB, like all other mobilization techniques, begins with evaluation. You will learn to utilize the principles of ARTS to evaluate The Total Body Lesion.
The A stands for Asymmetry: The practitioner evaluates the patient for Postural Asymmetry in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes in both standing and sitting. Which body part displays the greatest asymmetry?
The R stands for Range of Motion: The practitioner evaluates the range of motion (ROM) of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, the rib cage, upper and lower extremities. You will learn to assess any restriction to normal ROM in both active and passive movement.
The T stands for Tension Tests: The practitioner will perform tension tests for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, the rib cage, upper and lower extremities. Normally, when performing tension tests, the palpation should find a soft, supple and springy end feel. If the sensation is hard and restrictive, dysfunction is present.
The S stands for Special Tests: The practitioner will perform specific orthopedic tests to confirm your findings.
Testimonials
"Many years ago I asked my father (Dr. John E. Upledger, DO, OMM) why The Upledger Institute would want therapists to take a Muscle Energy Technique course. He replied that Muscle Energy was the best way for a therapist to mobilize a joint. As an osteopath, he was able to "pop" a neck or "crack" a back...but these techniques are not in the scope of practice for most other practitioners. And he said, sometimes no matter what modality you were using, Muscle Energy Technique was the best way to mobilize a joint restriction."
