Structural Back Pain


A re-appraisal of the palpation and manipulation of sacroiliac joints


The information contained in the following videos represents a fundamental paradigm shift in osteopathy and a significantly more effective way of treating lower back pain and pelvic pain than existing methods.

This shift does not involve any major deviation from the principles of structural osteopathy.

However 3 very important points need to be made:

  1. 1. Osteopaths and other manipulators have only been palpating half the sacroiliac joint. This recently discovered part of the sacroiliac joint plays a very important role in pelvic pain and lower back pain.

  2. 2. Standard osteopathic techniques do not cavitate the sacroiliac joint sufficiently to clear the restriction in the sacroiliac joint and hence do not produce clinically significant results.

  3. 3. A large proportion of lower back pain is secondary to structural problems in the sacroiliac joints and hence the pelvis as a whole. In this sense lumbar manipulation may produce temporary symptomatic relief but because the sacroiliac joints are not being manipulated properly, long term results are not being achieved.

Video Gallery


In the following videos these points will be contextualised with respect to anatomy, biomechanics, pathophysiology, physical assessment and treatment.


(Please note the model used in the videos is hypermobile and vectors may be exagerated for demonstration purposes)

Sacroiliac Joint Palpation

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Anatomical Basis of New Sacroiliac Loci

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Biomechanics of the Pelvis

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Pelvic Assessment

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Involuntary Motion Sacroiliac Joint Function Test (IVM SIFT)

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Palpation Supine & Side lying

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Osteopathic Diagnosis

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McKinnen Technique

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Lesion Pathophysiology: Impact Theory

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Joint Cavitation & Clearance

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High Velocity Thrust Manipulation of the Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joints

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Structural Back Pain Triage & Treatment

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