Dynamic Chiropractic
Reviews of Volume I and II
Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques®
Erik Dalton has developed an excellent video series designed to
combine techniques and examination procedures from musculo-
skeletal therapy. He has cleverly brought together concepts and
techniques from a variety of well-known scholars and practitioners,
such as Dr. Janet Travel and Dr. Vladimir Janda. His style of
teaching makes this video series an enjoyable learning experience
for the practitioner interested in a musculoskeletal approach toward
altered body mechanics.
The presentations are of outstanding quality and clarity. This
high-tech production offers plenty of demonstrations using plastic
models, cadaver specimens, animated graphics and pictures. You will
benefit from a well-organized review of spinal and muscular anatomy
throughout the program. All techniques are delivered on patients and
clearly explained.
Volume 2 is a two-disk set that takes the viewer into “Advanced
Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques” (MAT) involving the neck, upper
back and chest. On disk one, Dr. Dalton reviews his” dirty dozen”
techniques, which are 12 advanced methods for the correction of the
Upper Cross Syndrome. Disk 2 reviews the treatment of more chronic
and difficult cases seen involving the head, neck and upper
extremity. You will learn fascial release techniques for the
diaphragm, thoracic outlet region, and other areas of compensation.
Later on, he reviews treatment to the base of the skull and release
techniques for the sub-occipital muscles in cases of whiplash,
headache and neck pain.
Evaluation techniques are also demonstrated for altered biomechanics
and release methods for the anterior and posterior cervical
musculature. A great concept is utilized here: Myotherapy procedures
are delivered on a glass surface under the patient, allowing the
viewer to see the hand action of the practitioner. I thought it was
a unique concept in teaching manual methods on patients while they
are supine. Overall, you will find these clips superb. There is a
lot of information to learn and review; however, being able to spin
through it on this form of media allows you to learn as time
allows. Dr. Dalton does a good job of passing on the work of the
late Dr. Janda. I found Dr. Dalton to be in alignment with some of
chiropractic’s principles, particularly his belief that just fixing
pain is an ineffective approach to better health. His goal is to
balance the compensatory patterns of the body while working toward a
total structural correction. He gets close, but does not adjust the
spine, suggesting a referral to his “chiropractic buddies” when a
muscular approach isn’t enough.
Erik Dalton has also recently developed a third volume of this
video series, this time emphasizing soft-tissue techniques for the
shoulder, arm and hand. As in previous volumes, he approaches
dysfunctions with the restoration of altered body mechanics in mind.
The presentations are once again of outstanding quality and clarity,
including a great anatomical review of the relevant structures.
On disk one, Dr. Dalton demonstrates a variety of PNF and massage
techniques to mobilize all restricted barriers in ROM of the
sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint, glenohumeral joint,
distal and proximal radiocarpal joints, interosseous membrane and
scapulothoracic joint. During his examination, Dr. Dalton takes a
biomechanical approach, looking for tissue abnormality, asymmetry
and motion restrictions. Next, he reviews specific conditions that
are seen commonly in practice, such as thoracic outlet syndrome,
supraspinatus tendonitis, subdeltoid bursitis, subscapular
tendonitis and bicipital tendonitis. When treating for these painful
regions, he quite often moves beyond the joint of complaint and
restores function in neighboring tissues.
Disk two focuses on the elbow and wrist, ending with the treatment
of a patient presenting with a frozen shoulder. He reviews various
elbow conditions, such as tennis elbow, golfers elbow and ulnar
entrapment. For the wrist, he presents his approach toward the
treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, Dequervain’s syndrome and
trigger finger. The frozen shoulder demonstration that ends this
section of the disk involves a number of unique procedures to
improve muscle and capsular mobility.
Overall, Advanced Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, Volumes 2
and 3 explore a number of soft-tissue methods for the treatment of
conditions that you see in your office daily. As you know,
chiropractic adjustments to the extremities work famously. However,
in cases in which it is too painful to apply a quick thrust on a
joint during the early stages of care, utilizing some of Dr.
Dalton’s methods may help get the patient off to a pain-free start.
The goal here is improved biomechanics, moving toward normal
function. These video series show you another way.
Dr. Kintish’s Rating: 10/9.5 out of 10
Jeffrey Kintish, DC
Review Editor
Dynamic Chiropractic
P.O. Box 4109
Huntington Beach, California 92605
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