Pettibon Protocols in Clinic

It's been painful getting the Pettibon protocols adapted into the Palmer clinics, but we've done it thus far with great acceptance and results from the patients. Patients tell me they prefer the Pettibon neck adjustments compared to the Palmer Package adjustments they used to get. Patients with scoliosis also notice improvements in the range of motion in their neck, increased breathing capability, and overall, better posture.

To date, only 1 intern has taken post-films at the 3 month mark to note improvement. His female scoliosis patient in her mid-20s had 10 degrees increase in her cervical lordosis (anterior-posterior curvature). She was stoked. And for the first time in her entire life, she actually has hope that her scoliosis can get better and reverse. I have only 1 patient who's a viable candidate for post-treatment films. He's been compliant with treatment as well as all the home rehab protocols. I'm looking forward to seeing his results next week.

The clinicians have been asking about post-films results because they're eager to see if the technique works. Those of us in 11th Q have been through a lot to get the green light just to treat our patients in clinic, but we're glad to pave the way for the interns in the classes behind us, so their experiences will be much smoother.

Tonight, I worked on a 14 y.o. track athlete who came to the clinic limping on his right leg. After an initial PT session where Greg (his secondary intern) and I did soft tissue work, he was already walking much better and in a lot less pain. I adjusted his spine, shoulders, knees, and ankles. Greg did Graston work on his calves and I used the PTLMS (Pettibon Tendon Ligament Muscle Stimulator) to flush the toxins out of his paraspinal, hamstring, and calf muscles. Afterward, he wore headweights and did heel-toe walking to reset his cerebellum. His posture was instantly improved with the headweights and his forward head posture was reduced significantly.

It was great to work with Greg and to learn about the Graston technique. We finally got the paperwork and red tape procedures squared away so Greg can do soft tissue work on the patient's legs once a week, while I adjust his spine and do postural correction once a week. Typically, they only let 1 intern work on 1 patient at a time. But, in this particular patient's case, Greg and I can both learn new techniques from each other, and the patient benefits greatly. He does 2 hour track workouts 6 days a week, and it's tremendously demanding on his body. He's definitely going to need the soft tissue work and adjustments to keep in good running shape and to prevent injury and the chronic knee pain that he gets associated with running.

Tomorrow, I have a business class at 7:30 immediately followed by a mandatory seminar on outcome measurements that lasts until 5pm with a 1 hour lunch break. I think I'll go to the gym during my lunch break, and I don't think I'll make it back to the clinic.