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OMT Nordic System

The Kaltenborn Method of Joint
Examination and Treatment

Special Features of OMT Nordic

System
1. Biomechanical Approach to treatment and diagnosis
2. Combination of Techniques
3. Trial treatment and Clinical Reasoning
4. Ergonomic principles for the Physical Therapist

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Special features of OMT Nordic

System
Biomechanical Approach
1. Long lever rotation techniques (1900)
2. Short lever rotation techniques (1952)
3. Translatoric bone movement
1.

2.

(1954)
3.

1. Biomechanical Approach to Treatment

and Diagnosis
Translatoric bone movement for treatment with;
linear translatoric traction and,
gliding in relation to a treatment plane.
Evaluation of translatoric joint play movement by;
feeling the amount of slack in the movement and
sensing the end-feel.
Use of grades of movement to rate the amount of
joint play movement.

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1. Biomechanical Approach to Treatment

and Diagnosis (cont..)
Three-dimensional joint positioning;
Movement in Actual Resting Position and at the point of
restriction.
Convex-Concave Rule;
Indirect determination of the direction of decreased joint
gliding (hypomobility).
Evaluation and treatment; by all combinations of
movements, coupled and non-coupled.
Specific evaluation & treatment including special tests to;
localize symptomatic structures,
Treat hypermobility in addition to hypomobility.

Convex-Concave Rule

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2. Combination of Techniques
Multiple treatment techniques in one treatment session;
Joint Mobilization combined with Pain Relief and Soft Tissue
Mobilization (functional massage, stretching)
Self-treatment instructions;
Auto
Mobilization,
Autostreching,
Autotraction,
Strengthening, Stabilization, and Coordination Exercises.
Instructions in body mechanics and ergonomics;
Maintenance of Improvement gained in therapy session and
Prevent Recurrence.

3. Trial Treatment and clinical reasoning

Confirmation of initial physical diagnosis with a Low Risk

Trial Treatment.
Use of Treatment Procedures as Additional Evaluation
Procedures.
Patients Response to each treatment is used in context of Initial
Diagnostic Hypothesis.

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4. Ergonomic principles for the Therapist

The OMT Nordic System emphasizes Good Therapist Body
Mechanics.
In the 1950s the First Pneumatic High-low Adjustable
Treatment Table was designed by kaltenborn for Manual
Therapists.
Treatment techniques and tools were developed for efficiency
and safety, including;
Fixation Belts
Wedges, and Articulating Tables.

Questions ??

Thank You
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