wk8 - back of leg protocol Flashcards
What are the effects of the Back of Leg Protocol?
- Facilitate qi & blood circulation to & through the lower limb
- Open & stimulate the UB, GB & KD channels
- Relax the muscles & their attachments: gluteal, hamstring & calf muscles
- Decompress & realign joints of the hip, knee & ankle
What are the indications for the Back of Leg Protocol?
- Sciatica
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Hip pain
- Sacro-iliac joint subluxation
- Arthritis, Osteoarthritis
- Pulled / torn / tight hamstrings
- Calf cramping / pain / tightness
- Achilles tendonitis
- Various knee injuries
- Ankle pain / sprain (chronic or acute)
- Low back pain
What are the 7 steps of the Back of Leg Protocol?
1) Rolling on buttocks (~10 sec)
2) Press GB 30 (10 to 30 sec)
3) Pinch posterior compartment of thigh & calf (3x)
4) Digital Press from UB36 to heel (1x) (bend leg at knee to press UB40)
5) Pluck / Pinch Achilles tendon (5-10x)
6) Rotate / Bend / Extend Ankle (~30 sec)
7) Foulage the leg (3-5x)
What is the benefit of Rolling on buttocks?
- Moves qi & blood through the gluteal muscles
- Relaxes tension around the sacrum, hip & PSIS
What is the benefit of Pressing GB 30?
- Unblocks stagnation, moves qi & blood in the GB & UB channels
- Affects the sciatic nerve & the hip joint
What is the benefit of Pinching posterior compartment of thigh & calf?
- Moves qi & blood through the UB channel
- Relaxes spasm & tightness in hamstrings & calves
What is the benefit of Digital Press from UB36 to heel?
- Unblocks stagnation in the UB channel
- Relaxes spasms & tightness in hamstrings & calves
What is the benefit of Plucking / Pinching Achilles tendon?
Strongly disperses stagnant qi in UB channel, Achilles tendon, calves & heel
What is the benefit of Foulaging the leg?
- Disperse stagnation, move qi & blood through the whole lower limb
- Loosens joints, encourages normal ROM of joints
- Realigns joints
How do you Press GB 30?
- Find midpoint between sacral hiatus & greater trochanter
- Press with thumbs on point & other fingers on sacrum
How do you Pinch the posterior compartment of thigh & calf?
- Pinch from proximal to distal, pumping energy in one direction
- Each pinch should be close to the previous pinch
- Reminder: fingers are straight like a pincer
How do you Digital Press from UB 36 to heel?
- Start at midline of thigh where buttocks & thigh meet
- Go along the midline thumb over thumb
- At UB 40 behind the knee, bend leg and press before proceeding to lower leg
How do you Rotate / Bend / Extend the ankle?
- Lift leg with hand closest to foot
- Hold ankle just distal to malleoli, while other hand holds center of foot
