Type II somatic dysfunction

A basic tenet of the muscle energy modality is that muscles cause and/or maintain somatic dysfunctions. For type II somatic dysfunctions, the small spurt-and-shunt muscles such as the rotator brevis or the intertransversii may become or remain in a state of hypertonicity. This allows some regional motion but restricts single inter-vertebral motion. 

A type II somatic dysfunction may also be theorized to occur because of locking of the involved facets. In this case, the position of the vertebrae may cause stress on the small muscles that respond by contracting. After treatment with techniques such as high-velocity, low-am-... 

FIG. 38-2 Muscle energy treatment for an upper thoracic type II somatic dysfunction. 

FIG. 38-3 Muscle energy treatment for an upper thoracic type II somatic dysfunction. The barriers to flexion have been engaged, with left rotation and side-bending of the patient s head. 

UPPER THORACIC TYPE II SOMATIC DYSFUNCTION (T3 S R,)—PATIENT SEATED... 

F I G. 41 - 4 Lower thoracic type II somatic dysfunction (T9 5, R,), patient seated (physician anterior to patient). 

Rotoscoliosis motion testing provides another method to identify somatic dysfunction of a lumbar vertebra. This technique uses the principle that a type II somatic dysfunction will have a restriction to motion in all three planes of its ability to move. If a barrier is reached in flexion or extension, the vertebra will tend to rotate and side-bend towards its ease of motion. 

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