Benjamin Shield, Ph.D.

Spinal Mobilization Course

This hands-on course aims to teach effective techniques for successfully mobilizing specific segments throughout the entire spine. This is a class I would like to have experienced earlier in my career. We will explore gentle, low-amplitude/low-velocity techniques affecting skeletal and paravertebral tissues.

So often, subluxations are treated by simply working deeper and harder or by chiropractic adjustments using high-amplitude thrusts that can shock the client and frequently create hypermobility. The techniques learned in this class are designed to give your clients gentle and immediate relief.

The primary goal is that each participant will leave with the confidence to treat spinal subluxations from the cervical spine to the coccyx, an understanding of the most common spinal conditions that clients will present within your practice, and the skills and confidence to diminish or eliminate your clients’ pain and dysfunction.

I intend to pass along what I have learned over forty-three years of study and practice. It is my deepest wish that this class will significantly improve your clinical skills in evaluation and treatment, uplevel your confidence in treating most clinical conditions involving spinal subluxation, pain, and dysfunction, and refine your existing techniques and the quality of your touch.

Some of the topics we will discuss along with mobilization techniques:

Goals of this course
Common anatomical presentations
Quality of touch
Theory of mobilization
Facilitating spinal mobilization
The advantage of treating the client in the supine position
Use of short and long levers
Facet-based mobilization
How do these techniques differ from chiropractic?
Use of Arc of Tension
Visceral referral
Relevant questions to ask the client

Lumbar spine
Ranges of motion
Compressive patterns
L4-L5 Spondylolisthesis
Anteriority of L5
Decompression of L5-S1
Degenerative disc disease
Stenosis

Lower Thoracics
Lumbodorsal transition

Mid-thoracics
Common restrictions at T7
Freyette’s Laws

Upper Thoracics
Treating reduction of the kyphotic curve
Scoliosis and scoliotic patterns
General mobilization technique of mid- and upper thoracics
Mobilization of the Upper Two Ribs
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Effect on C5-C6
Global rib mobilization

Upper Cervicals
C0-C1 (occiput – atlas)
Ranges of motion
Decompression / Distraction
Greater Occipital Nerve
Vertebral Artery insufficiency
Headaches, Mood disorders
C1-C2 (atlanto-occipital joint)
Lesser Occipital Nerve
Trigeminal involvement

Lower Cervicals (C3-C7)
Ranges of motion
Biomechanical principles of mobilizing the lower cervicals
C2-C4
Subluxations / Rotational patterns / Lateral flexion
C5-C6
Frequent hypermobility of C5 / Restriction of C6
C6-C7

Normalizing restrictions
Lumbopelvic dysfunctions
Special tests Discussion of lumbopelvic influences on the SIJ
Sciatica
Treatment principles
Myth of the Piriformis Syndrome
Treating sacroiliac joint disorders (SIJD)
Sacroiliac evaluation & special tests
Hypomobility
Hypermobility
Sacral torsion
Double-recoil spring tests
Direct and indirect techniques
Treatment of the coccyx
Effect on the sacrum and sacroiliac joint
Effect on pelvic diaphragm
Review