Pubic Symphysis Shear
Played soccer and kicked the ground rather than the ball? Whatever the reason your pubic symphysis may well be out of position, causing issues in other parts of the body.
It’s quite common among postpartum females, as well as among the general population.
There’s a technique called “shotgun” which resets this impairment. They call it MET, muscle energy technique, which was invented by Fred Mitchell. However, it had been commonly used by Andrew Taylor Still a long before the term MET was coined.
Watch these two videos showing this technique performed by therapists.
Shotgun Muscle Energy Technique by John Gibbons
In the next video, the shotgun technique is demonstrated by John Gibbons. He wrote a book devoted to MET techniques.
Shotgun Muscle Energy Technique – Self Correction
There are 2 phases to the “shotgun” technique.
I phase: Involving a contraction of the hip abductor muscles.
II phase: An isometric contraction of the hip adductors.
It is the adductor contraction that “resets” and realigns the pubic symphysis, but the abductor contraction in advance essentially enhances the effectiveness of this technique.
An isometric contraction of the abductors relaxes and resets the tone in the adductors through reciprocal inhibition which allows performing a better contraction.
By applying resistance at the knees, the physical therapist forces the hip adductor muscles to pull the pelvis laterally, causing a brief distraction of the pubic symphysis.
During this pull the vertical pubic shears often correct. An audible “pop” or “click” is normal but not necessary for a correction to happen. However, patients often regard this as a confirmation that the shear has been “fixed.
Pubic Shear Dysfunction: Self-Correction
To realign the pubic symphysis, one can modify the “shotgun” technique in a sitting position.
Here’s how:
- Perform three 6-second isometric abductor contractions. The efficacy of this step can be enhanced by respiration: inhale while performing the contraction and exhale while relaxing.
- Then contract the hip adductors against the constant and unyielding resistance of the arm for 3 to 6 seconds. The respiration trick can also be applied.
- Repeat this sequence 2 to 3 times.
Perform the sequence every few hours as needed to keep normal alignment until stability has returned to the symphysis.
Kelly Starrett: Pelvic Tilt
A famous author of best-selling “Becoming a Supple Leopard” calls this pelvic fault or pelvic tweak. Here’s how he explains it and corrects.
