Note: On Saturday the course will end at 13:00
Balanced ligamentous tension (BLT), also known as ligamentous articular strain (LAS), is a non-invasive, safe and fairly common osteopathic technique. Reportedly developed by A.T. Still, founder of osteopathy, BLT was greatly expanded by R. and H. Lippincott DO, R. Becker DO, and A. Wales DO. However, the major contribution to its development came from W.G. Sutherland DO, the ‘father of cranial osteopathy’.
In Contributions of thought, Sutherland (1998) describes the BLT approach as an application of the principles of cranial treatment to the rest of the body and extremities. The key concept is that every joint in normal condition should be within a balanced state of tension of its capsular and ligamentous elements, responsible for proprioception as well as for muscle response during joint motion and position.
However, when an injury or any articular disturbance occurs, such physiological and tensional balance may be compromised, producing proximal and distal effects. Consequently, the joint or tissue, when taken beyond its physiological barrier remains dysfunctional, failing to return into its normal position, therefore showing a shifting of its normal balance point. BLT aims to restore the tensional and functional equilibrium, by seeking and maintaining a balanced tensional point within tissues involved, from which the inherent body potency may find its way to correction.
Although specifically proposed for articular disturbances, the same principles have been applied to membranous, body fluid flow, fascial and visceral dysfunctions. It has also been shown to be effective in various clinical conditions, by affecting fascial, muscular, and neural structures, together with lymphatic and blood flow.
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