09/26/2010 Post Note:
We had a great time discovering the many hopeful and creative ways women and their families can use emerging mindbody science in their journey through cancer care.
Here are the notes/slides from my presentation: The New Science of Awareness & Movement in Cancer Care.
Hope to see you at this exciting program where I'll be presenting at 12:15 after lunch.
Please let the editorial staff at the Yoga Journal know if you share my concern re: the below referenced article.
Copyright prohibits me from scanning the referenced posture and it isn't on their website.
The subject is supine, with blocks behind her upper thoracic spine and sacrum, arms crossed over her chest with her head rotated right and cervical spine in extension and head resting on the floor. No mention of what to do if the person experiences vision changes, nausea or other symptoms.
The letter ( letters@yogajournal.com ):
September 11, 2010
Re: The October 2010 article "Soothe a Tense Neck"
Dear Editor,
Please be advised that the posture in the page 92 is dangerous and inappropriate for your audience. Speaking as an expert legal witness in yoga injuries, you should know that the position is part of what is known as the Vertebral Artery Test (http://ptjournal.apta.org/cgi/content/full/85/6/589).
This test is used by licensed manual therapists (DO, PT, DC) to screen for the rare, but possible occlusion of the vertebral arteries that supply the brain with blood. An individual performing this maneuver without screening by a professional that knows this test is at risk for stroke or death. Hence this technique requires more than a cursory physician's nod. Your disclaimer in your "Letters" section and on pg 90 within the article are fine for protecting unstable knees etc, but grossly insufficient for this potentially life threatening position.
It only takes one "harming" incident to bring down on the Yoga community regulatory over site and restrictions. Let's work together to avoid this by keeping our students and teachers safe.
I would be happy to work with you to craft an appropriate errata or update to prevent himsa.
Thank you for considering this literally life or death situation.
Sincerely,
Matthew J. Taylor • PT, PhD
Past president, International Association of Yoga Therapists
www.yogaexpertwitness.com