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Principles of Manual Medicine

Treatment of Abnormal Reflex Activity - Overview

Rib Raising - The rib raising technique is a direct action, soft tissue technique which has multiple functions. It helps to decrease soft tissue and muscle tone of the thoracic spine. It also helps to restore normal rib cage motion which facilitates venous return and lymphatic drainage.

Suboccipital Release - This is a soft tissue technique is appropriate for reducing tension in the soft tissues of the cervical spine, in particular the upper cervical, suboccipital aspect of the spine. Tension in this musculature may result from sympathetic reflex activity from organs innervated by the cervical sympathetic ganglia.

Cervical Paraspinal - This soft tissue technique is appropriate for reducing tension in the soft tissues of the cervical spine. For example, sympathetic reflex activity from organs innervated by the cervical sympathetic ganglia often affect the paraspinal muscles of the upper cervical spine. Treating these muscles may reduce sympathetic tone to coronary arteries and may decrease the propensity for bradyarrythmias and AV blocks in the cardiac patient.

Lumbar Paraspinal - This soft tissue technique is useful for reducing tension in the soft tissues of the lumbar spine that may result from increased sympathetic reflex activity from the lower thoracic chain ganglia.



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