Summary – 3dEnergy Gun – Spinal Percussion Therapy – Instructions Workshop

• Instructions for 3D Energy Gun in Spinal Percussion Therapy: Nick Hodgson provided step-by-step instructions for using the 3D energy gun for precise spinal percussion therapy, emphasizing the importance of clinical decisions for diagnosis, vector selection, and stimulation time. Before making contact, users must make a differential diagnosis, turn on the gun, set the clockwise or anticlockwise torque (three gears), and determine the impulse speed (six gears). He advised against making contact before starting preferred impulses, changing speeds while maintaining contact, increasing forces with physical pressure, or overstimulating points.

• Clinical Guidelines and Disclaimer: Nick Hodgson recommended choosing the preferred lever arm, such as the spinous process, lamina, or transverse process, and using the triangular head for more specific contact points during spinal work. Treatment can involve contacting a single point for a preferred duration or lightly gliding across a segment to stimulate a neurological level, which is a clinical decision. He issued a disclaimer stating he was not offering medical diagnoses or recommendations but demonstrations, assuming users have the necessary qualifications and skills to administer treatments.

• General Principles for Torque and Vector Application: Nick Hodgson explained that the following slides would list the spinal segment, explain the pattern of distortion, and recommend stimulation vectors, noting that the images are 2D representations of 3D treatment. All presented slides show right-sided patterns, meaning vectors and torque must be reversed for left-sided patterns. The general principle for torque is to select the direction (clockwise or anticlockwise) that will open the joints on the side of the spine being stimulated.

• Occiput and Upper Cervical Spine Treatment Patterns: For the occiput's first pattern (lateral translation to the right coupled with slight left lateral flexion), the contact point is on the right side, the impulse vector is lateral to medial (right to left), and clockwise torque is used. The second occiput pattern (extended and slightly right lateral flexed) requires a contact point on the right side, an inferior to superior vector, and anticlockwise torque. For C1 (rotated posteriorly on the right with slight right lateral flexion), the contact is on the right lamina/TP, the vector is posterior to anterior, and anticlockwise torque is applied.

• Cervical and Thoracic Spine Treatment Patterns: Nick Hodgson described two contacts for C2 (rotated posteriorly on the right with slight right lateral flexion): contacting the left side of the SP using a lateral to medial (left to right) vector and anticlockwise torque, or contacting the right lamina/TP using a posterior to anterior vector and anticlockwise torque. The C3 to C7 segments follow the same principles as C2. Thoracic vertebrae (T1 to T12) that are rotated posteriorly on the right with slight right lateral flexion follow similar principles, with contact points on the left side of the spinous process or the right side of the lamina/TP, both utilizing anticlockwise torque.

• Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Ilium Treatment Patterns: For L1 to L5 vertebrae that are rotated posteriorly on the right with slight right lateral flexion, contact points include the left side of the spinous process with a lateral to medial vector and anticlockwise torque, or the right lamina/TP with a posterior to anterior vector and anticlockwise torque. The first sacrum pattern (translated laterally to the right, coupled with slight right lateral flexion) requires a contact on the right side, a lateral to medial vector, and anticlockwise torque. The second sacrum pattern (sacral apex dropping inferiorly, related to nutation/counter-nutation) involves contacting underneath the sacrotuberous ligament with an inferior to superior vector and anticlockwise torque. For the ilium rotating posteriorly (impinging medially/internal rotation), the contact is underneath the PSIS with an inferior to superior and posterior to anterior vector, using clockwise torque to open the sacroiliac joint.

• Conclusion and Future Workshops: Nick Hodgson emphasized that the precise contact point, stimulation time, and choice between static contact or gliding maneuver depend on the user's clinical expertise and differential diagnosis. Future workshops will include video demonstrations of contacts, a method called "circling the sub," and addressing the coccyx, craniums, and generalized myofascial percussion therapy.