Static Manual Release: Hip Flexors

Static Manual Release: Hip Flexors is organized by Brookbush Institute.

Course Description:
This course describes static manual release techniques for hip flexor muscles that are commonly assessed as over-active and prone to trigger point development. Unfortunately, it is easy to be confused by a large number of synonyms for these terms. For example, the techniques described in this course could be considered refinements of hip flexor massage, massage therapy techniques, deep tissue massage, sports massage, medical massage, trigger point therapy, static compression techniques, soft tissue mobilization, muscle inhibitory techniques, and manual therapy techniques. Even the term trigger point is referred to by a variety of synonyms including muscle knots, nodules, adhesions, over-active muscle fibers, hypertonic fascicles, spasms, and acute points of hyper-contractility, and the trigger point phenomenon is likely part of every reference to short muscles, tight muscles, "locked" muscles, stiff muscles, muscle strains, muscle spasm, etc. Part of the reason there are so many synonyms is the rich history of scientific inquiry, from multiple disciplines and cultures, that have contributed to our understanding of these techniques and the information in this course.  

This course includes techniques for the tensor fascia lata, gluteus minimus, vastus lateralis, anterior adductors, psoas, iliacus, and rectus femoris. Release techniques for these muscles are commonly included in an integrated program designed to address knee pain including patellar femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), anterior hip joint pain, leg pain (groin or lateral thigh), lower back pain, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. These techniques may also aid in addressing movement impairments correlated with lumbopelvic hip complex and lower extremity dysfunction including an anterior pelvic tilt, excessive forward lean, and a loss of hip mobility (restricted hip rotation).

The techniques in this course are recommended for all clinical human movement professionals (physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, etc.) with the intent of developing an evidence-based, systematic, integrated, patient-centered, and outcome-driven approach. 

Behavioral Objectives
• Describe the functional benefits (including impact on performance, occupation or daily tasks) that may be expected from implementing the intervention plan.
• Plan an efficient “flow” of techniques to optimize the amount of therapy in a session, averaging 1 technique/2 minutes of therapy
• Use re-assessment to choose the most effective techniques for the individual (of the techniques taught in the course) for continued use in future sessions
• List 4 changes expected immediately following the application of ischemic compression
• Integrate the release techniques covered in this course into a plan of care
• Explain to a colleague in detail (4 steps or more) any of the techniques taught in this course
• Students will be prepared to pass a final exam by choosing from a list of potential answers to behavior-objective matched multiple-choice questions.
• List 3 pathologies/dysfunctions correlated with trigger point development in the muscles included in this course
• Deduce/synthesize a hypothesis regarding the effect this technique will have on outcome measures and the appropriate test for re-assessment.
• Design an intervention plan including these techniques with the intent of affecting an objectively measured functional outcome.