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Article publié par
Dynamic Chiropractic
November 15, 2000, Volume 18, Issue 24
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Imagine being able to create a fascial stretch that localizes tension
to a particular spinal level. Frenchman Guy Voyer,MD,DO, has created and used
such stretches since 1977 with great success. For patients to perform these
stretches, it is necessary for them to develop an awareness of the specific
positions. The patient must "engage in a posture that aims at a specific
vertebral level in reference at all times to both a fixed and mobile reference,
which, when placed under a self-induced tension, results in a precise
osteoarticular decoaptation."
According to Dr. Voyer, the local effects of this stretch are zygopophyseal
separation, imbibition of the disc, increased venous return, normalization of
muscle tone (by extreme eccentric contraction), proprioceptive facilitation of
the paraspinal muscles, and improved kinetic sense. General effects from this
procedure include normalization of myofascial tensions, decreased psychomotor
barriers, and an increased well-being. Putting the myofascial chains around a
primary lesion (the local spinal decoaptation) into tension will result in an
increase in postural normalization. Patients report that after this type of
stretch, not only do their back pains decrease, but other symptoms also improve.
The author demonstrates the T10-T11 stretch.
The accompanying photo shows the position for a specific stretch for the
T10-T11 disc level.
These stretches are not easy to perform. Several visits are required to make
sure the patient is in the correct posture. For some spinal segments, the
patient cannot create the total stretch at first, but over time it may be
accomplished. Inability to perform the stretch is sometimes valuable in finding
where other fascial/structural problems may be located.
The right hip is flexed straight back as far as it can go. The right foot is
resting on the heel in dorsiflexion and eversion. The left lower extremity is
stretched out at 45 degrees with the foot dorsiflexed and inverted. The
shoulders and spine are pressing against the wall. The right arm is fully
extended vertically with the wrist dorsiflexed, and the arm and hand externally
rotated. The chin is retracted and the head is extended vertically. All
stretching and extending is done to the maximum and held for a minute. In this
position, if everything is correct, the patient will feel the tension
specifically at the T10-T11 level. Good luck.
Warren Hammer,MS,DC,DABCO
Norwalk, Connecticut
