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Multiple Choice

Which is an example of an indirect osteopathic manipulative technique?

Indirect techniques move tissues away from the restrictive barrier and toward a position of ease. Counterstrain exemplifies this by finding a tender point and placing the patient in the position of greatest comfort. This relieves unnecessary muscle spindle activity and nociceptive input, allowing the muscle and fascia to relax and the dysfunction to resolve without forcing tissues through a barrier. Typically, you locate the tender point, hold the position of maximum relief for about 90 seconds, then slowly return to neutral and recheck. In contrast, high-velocity, low-amplitude techniques drive tissue through the barrier, and muscle energy relies on patient-generated contractions against a counterforce to reposition the area. Myofascial release can be direct or indirect depending on the approach, but counterstrain remains the classic indirect example.

Indirect techniques move tissues away from the restrictive barrier and toward a position of ease. Counterstrain exemplifies this by finding a tender point and placing the patient in the position of greatest comfort. This relieves unnecessary muscle spindle activity and nociceptive input, allowing the muscle and fascia to relax and the dysfunction to resolve without forcing tissues through a barrier. Typically, you locate the tender point, hold the position of maximum relief for about 90 seconds, then slowly return to neutral and recheck. In contrast, high-velocity, low-amplitude techniques drive tissue through the barrier, and muscle energy relies on patient-generated contractions against a counterforce to reposition the area. Myofascial release can be direct or indirect depending on the approach, but counterstrain remains the classic indirect example.