Backpod
®
combined with manipulation and manual therapy from
doctors, physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors
The Backpod
®
is an ideal adjunct to manual or
manipulative therapy. Manipulation is excellent for
unlocking jammed joints, but they usually won’t stay
free unless the surrounding tightened capsules and
ligaments are also stretched out. The Backpod
®
is
ideal for this, so you get a long-term solution, not just a
temporary fix.
High velocity short amplitude thrust manipulation is
a quick and effective way of banging free a locked
spinal apophyseal (facet) or costovertebral (CV,
posterior rib) joint. Obviously the usual precautions
and contraindications taught to trained manipulators
need to be observed. However, if the joint has been
jammed for some time, the surrounding collagenous
capsule and ligaments will have tightened around
the immobile hinge. Manipulation can free the hinge
movement, but the surrounding tight collagen close
around it tends to freeze it up again. Collagen is tough
and can take up to six months to remodel. This is
the main reason for the problem coming back again
weeks or only days after an effective manipulation
treatment session.
Lying back on the Backpod
®
for several minutes daily
will give a strong sustained stretch to shortened
ligaments and capsules around the joints and quietly
reduce an excessive thoracic kyphosis. The pressure
can be graded for the thoracic facets by positioning
the Backpod
®
longitudinally under the spine (a gentler
curve) or transversely (a sharper curve, hence more
stretch pressure); and by using pillows under the
patient’s head and even layers of fluffy towel over
the Backpod
®
itself. The CV joints are localised by
positioning the Backpod
®
longitudinally on the curve of
the ribs between the scapula and the spine itself. See
pages 3–5: ‘Instructions: How to use the Backpod
®
’.
The Backpod
®
works particularly well after
manipulation, when the joints have been definitively
unlocked so they will move to allow the stretch
pressure to directly reach the surrounding collagen. It
is also effective before manipulation, to produce some
loosening of the hypomobile segments first and make
the manipulation easier, both for the therapist and the
patient.
The Backpod
®
programme of posture, massage,
strengthening and stretching covers the other
aspects of the usual flexed thoracic/chin poked neck
problem. For instance, manipulation can effectively
and immediately unlock atlanto-occipital (C0/1) joints
jammed in extension and causing headaches – a
common problem. But the wider drivers (over-flexed
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