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Ribs 6-10 (Bucket Handle): Inhalation Somatic Dysfunction Muscle Energy
- Patient supine. Physician stands at same side of dysfunctional rib, you may abduct the shoulder but do not move the arm above the head
- Bend patient’s trunk (side-bend) towards you until tension is taken off the dysfunctional rib (sidebend towards)
- Place the web formed between your thumb and pointer finger in the intercostal space above the dysfunctional rib
- Instruct patient to inhale and exhale deeply. Follow the inferior motion of rib pushing it further into exhalation
- Hold the rib down as the patient inhales, then push the rib further into exhalation as the patient exhales forcefully again
- Repeat muscle energy 2-3 times until motion improved
- Passive stretch
- Reassess
