Sacral Somatic Dysfunction

Question 1

What does the Backwards Bending test tell you?

Answer 1

A positive test occurs when the sacral sulcus appears assymetrical througout the motion (going from lying flat to extending the back) or gets worse

Positive finding indicates the sacrum is in extension (base is posterior, apex is anterior)

Negative finding occurs when the sacral sulcus appears symmetrical throughout the motion or improves

Negative finding indicates the sacrum is in flexion (base is anterior, apex is posterior)

Question 2

What are you looking for during a Respiratory Motion Test?

Answer 2

You are ensuring that the sacrum has normal motion during respiration.

Inhalation: Sacral base moves posteriorly; sacral apex and coccyx move anteriorly

Expiration: Sacral base moves anteriorly; sacral apex and coccyx move posteriorly

Question 3

What are you looking for in a Lumbar Spring test?

Answer 3

Lumbar spring test involves the patient lying prone while you press down on their lumbo-sacral junction.

Normally you should feel lumbar spring (negative) - which indicates that the sacrum is flexed

When there is no lumbar spring detected (positive), the sacrum is in extension

Question 4

What are you looking for in a Oblique Axis Passive Motion test?

Answer 4

Patient is prone while you monitor contralateral sacral sulcus and ILA

An anterior force is applied with the heel of the hand onto the patient’s ILA while you monitor for posterior motion at the opposite sacral sulcus

Test is repeated on opposite sulcus and ILA

Question 5

How do you tell if you have a forward or backwards torsion?

Answer 5

Forward Torsion = Letters are the same; e.g., L on L and R on R

Forward Torsion = Flexed Torsion

Backward Torsion = Letters are opposites; e.g., R on L and L on R

Backwards Torsion = Extended Torsion

Question 6

What do the letters in Torsion Diagnoses tell you?

Answer 6

First letter tells you the direction the anterior surface is facing

The second letter tells you the axis

L on R = Anterior surface of sacrum is facing left; Right oblique axis

Question 7

How does L5 sidebend in regard to the oblique axis during a Sacral torsion somatic dysfunction?

Answer 7

L5 sidebends toward the Oblique Axis

Direction of rotation varies

Question 8

What is the diagnosis when you have the following findings:

• Lateralized to the Right
• Deep Sulcus on the Right
• Posterior ILA on the Left?

Answer 8

L on L Sacral Torsion SD

Forward (flexion)

Question 9

What is the diagnosis when you have the following findings:

• Lateralization to the Left
• Deep Sulcus to the Right
• Posterior ILA to the Left

Answer 9

L on R Sacral Torsion SD

Backward (extended)

Question 10

What is the diagnosis when you have the following findings:

• Lateralization to the Left
• Deep Sulcus to the Left
• Posterior ILA to the Right

Answer 10

R on R Sacral Torsion SD

Forward (flexed)

Question 11

What is the diagnosis when you have the following findings:

• Lateralization to the Right
• Deep Sulcus on the Left
• Posterior ILA on the Right?

Answer 11

R on L Sacral Torsion SD

Backward (extended)

Question 12

What would be the physical findings of a patient with a R on R Sacral Torsion SD?

Answer 12

Lateralization to the Left

Deep Sulcus to the Left

Posterior ILA to the Right

Question 13

What would be the physical findings of a patient with a L on R Sacral Torsion SD?

Answer 13

Lateralization to the Left

Deep Sulcus to the Right

Posterior ILA to the Left

Question 14

What would be the physical findings of a patient with a L on L Sacral Torsion SD?

Answer 14

Lateralization to the Right

Deep Sulcus to the Right

Posterior ILA to the Left

Question 15

What would be the physical findings of a patient with a R on L Sacral Torsion SD?

Answer 15

Lateralization to the Right

Deep Sulcus to the Left

Posterior ILA to the Right

Question 16

When the L5 is compensated, how is it sidebent and rotated?

Answer 16

Compensated L5 will exhibit the following:

• SIDEBENT toward the AXIS
• ROTATED toward the DEEP SULCUS

Question 17

How do you tell if L5 is F, N, or E when compensated?

Answer 17

If you have a Forward Sacral Torsion (Flexed, R on R, L on L), compensated L5 will be neutral

If you have a Backward Sacral Torsion (Extended, R on L, L on R) compensated L5 will either be Flexed or Extended