HEAD EXTENSION
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Copyright © Alastair McLoughlin 2015 Revised © Alastair McLoughlin 2019 and 2022
The right of Alastair McLoughlin to be identified as the original Designer, Developer and Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1998.
All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover, or reprinted in any physical or electronic manner without the written consent of the author.
The ideas and concepts explored within this text are those of the author. For educational purposes only.
No diagnosis is being offered nor any cure promised by the application of this information.
Alastair McLoughlin cannot be held responsible for any injury arising from the application of this work by the practitioner to any third party however caused.
This work is not a substitute for medical attention. Please seek your physician’s advice if in doubt.
You will be amazed at the speed at which this works!
These AoB movements that shown to obtain (in most cases) immediate improvement in head extension problems.
This is also a great ‘party piece’ that you can use to show off your skills and get people interested in your work.
It is simple and direct.
It will work in about 90% (or more) of cases where head extension is limited or restricted.
See the instructional video presentation for clarification and exact finger placement.
INDICATIONS FOR USEHead extension is tight, difficult or restricted.
This may be due to various arthritic or related joint or soft tissue problems.
CAUTIONS OR CONTRAINDICATIONS Please exclude the possibility of any bony fracture or disc problem due to a recent undiagnosed neck injury that persists and is not responding to treatment.
Refer for medical diagnosis if you are unsure about any undiagnosed medical condition.
Do not perform the assessment if there is a risk of fracture or disc injury.
Position of the patient:Standing.
You may offer the work seated if the client is infirm, unsteady on their feet or cannot stand for any reason.
Assessment:It is easy to assess the amount of head extension by standing at the side of your client and ask them to slowly take their head into extension - as shown.
If there is any restriction, tightness or lack of full movement, then this AoB procedure is indicated.
Remember what you observe - so you can re-check your work afterwards.
Do not perform the assessment if there is a risk of fracture or disc injury.
Application of the AoB procedure:Locate the correct place for the moves:
(i) = left
(ii) = right
Half way from the mid line to the outside of the head - just above the level of the top of the ear.
Support the patient’s head by placing your free hand on their forehead as shown.
Apply a move on the left side (i) of the head followed by a move on the right side (ii) of the head - as shown in the video presentation.
Always treat both sides to achieve balance - left side followed by right side.
Reassessment:Reassess the client - as shown.
Repeating this move in the same session is not usually necessary.
As this AoB procedure is so rapid it may be added at the end of any treatment session - or used as a stand-alone piece of work as a quick and speedy answer to neck restrictions.
How it works:The AoB moves release the fibres of the occipitalis and other muscles such as splenius capitis and semispinalis enabling better head extension.
It works very quickly - so have fun with this one!
