This third Seminar of HVLA (High Velocity Low Amplitude) is our third seminar of the second IOT’s curriculum year in which direct techniques are taught in a safe, conservative and effective approach with a proper osteopathic and medical diagnosis prior to any vertebral or joint manipulation.

HVLA consists of a direct or indirect mechanical treatment of a somatic lesion by means of a « thrust » after putting the area to be treated in tension. HVLA involves joints, vertebras and vertebral junctions that are “seized up” in restriction of mobility.

These techniques require perfect manual handling and preparation of the patient. They obey to strict rules for diagnosis, positioning and tensioning. Everything resides in tissue tensioning which will make it possible to make a less traumatic thrust (which will therefore be of high velocity but of low amplitude). The audible noise (“crack” or “plop”) is due to the formation of a gas bubble caused by the intra-articular depression (cavitation) of the synovial fluid during the thrust. It in no way indicates the success of the technique but is, for the patient most of the time reassuring and would have a significant placebo effect. It can also be worrying if the patient is not warned.

During this seminar, you will have the ability to learn accurate palpation of the cervical vertebras, identifying restriction of mobility and applying appropriate HVLA to the specific mechanical dysfunction.