Workshop Summary - Myofascial Percussion Therapy with the 3dEnergy Gun

Myofascial Percussion Therapy with the 3dEnergy Gun

Summary

Nick Hodgson introduced a workshop on myofascial percussion therapy using the 3dEnergy Gun, outlining the necessary steps for use, including planning the pathway, setting the tool parameters, and applying gliding and sliding motions with pauses on points of interest, while also advising against certain practices like applying excessive pressure. Nick emphasized choosing a starting point and planned route, suggested head attachments for general or precise work, and noted that the technique assumes the user has necessary qualifications and indemnity, further discussing the application of torque, explaining that any torque setting aids in separating myofibrils and stretching connective tissue adhesions. The discussion covered specific percussion pathways and torque directions for the posterior neck, posterior thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbopelvic regions, with Nick stressing the importance of patient feedback to decide between general scanning and specific point stimulation.

Details

Introduction to Myofascial Percussion Therapy: Nick introduced a workshop focused on using the 3dEnergy Gun for myofascial percussion therapy, aiming to achieve benefits for myofascial problems. He outlined the steps for use, including planning the percussion pathway and vectors, turning on the 3dEnergy Gun, setting the torque, direction, speed, and impulse speed, and then making contact, recommending a gliding and sliding motion with pauses on points of interest. Nick also advised against making contact before setting the impulses, changing speeds while maintaining contact, using excessive physical pressure, and overstimulating points, noting that trigger points diminish rapidly with the tool.

General Principles and Contraindications: Nick emphasized the importance of choosing a preferred starting point and a planned route for gliding and sliding, suggesting the circular head attachment for general myofascial work or the triangular head for more precise work. He stressed that the notes provided assume the user has the necessary qualifications and indemnity to administer the treatment, and advised against ignoring any normal contraindications listed in the instruction manual. Regarding torque, he suggested using the torque direction that lengthens the targeted large muscle groups.

Torque Application and Microscopic Effects: Nick Hodgson discussed torque, mentioning that at a microscopic level, any torque is significantly better than no torque because it will separate myofibrils, stretch connective tissue adhesions, and release trigger points more dramatically. He clarified that clockwise or anticlockwise torque has a similar impact at the microscopic level – separating and stretching myofibrils – and advised users not to be afraid of the torque setting. Nick Hodgson indicated that the patterns demonstrated are on the right side of the body, and for left-sided patterns, the described torque should be reversed.

Percussion Pathways for Specific Regions: Nick detailed specific applications for different body regions, starting with the posterior neck using anticlockwise torque to address shortening or lateral flexion, gliding inferiorly from the superior nuchal line and working side to side. For the posterior thoracic region, he recommended clockwise torque to lengthen muscles like the trapezius and levator scapula, starting in the upper trapezius belly and working inferiorly. In the thoracolumbar area, clockwise torque was suggested to lengthen muscles like the longissimus and quadratus lumborum, working medial to lateral and gradually downwards. Finally, for the lumbopelvic region, clockwise torque was advised to lengthen muscles like the gluteals and piriformis, using an arc shape vector around the hip and pelvis. Nick concluded by stressing the importance of seeking feedback from the patient regarding small tender points and making a decision about whether to focus on general scanning or specific point stimulation.