What is Balanced Ligamentous Tension (BLT)?

 

Balanced Ligamentous Tension (BLT) is a gentle, yet powerful, indirect osteopathic technique. It involves guiding the body towards its areas of ease or balance, rather than forcing it into a corrected position. By restoring balance to the ligaments, BLT aims to improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and enhance the body's natural healing mechanisms. BLT is used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including joint dysfunction, pain, and limited range of motion. 

Here's how it works, in simple terms:

Your body is held together and supported by ligaments—like strong elastic bands—that connect bones to other bones. When a joint is injured or strained (from something like a fall, poor posture, or repetitive movement), those ligaments can become overstretched or imbalanced. This can lead to pain, tension, or restricted movement.

BLT works a bit like this:

  • The osteopath gently positions the joint or area in a way that takes the strain off the ligaments—almost like putting a slack in a tug-of-war rope.

  • They then hold that position, allowing your body to "reset" and release the tension naturally.

  • Once the balance is restored, the joint can move more freely and the surrounding tissues can start healing properly.

Benefits of BLT:

  • Pain relief 

  • Gentle and safe, ideal for adults, babies, pregnant women

  • Helps the body return to balance so it can heal itself more efficiently

  • Improves mobility and flexibility

  • Has been shown to decrease sympathetic nervous system stimulation and improve heart rate variability. It can also have a positive effect on anxiety, depression and mood disorders

  • Useful for both recent injuries and long-standing tension or dysfunction

What can BLT help with:

  • Joint strains or injuries

  • Pelvic girdle pain - pre and post natal

  • Acute sporting injuries

  • Acute neck and back pain

  • Headaches, migraines

  • Mood disorders, anxiety, depression

  • Infant & newborns - commonly used as very gentle

  • Whiplash

  • TMJ (jaw) dysfunction

BLT is often part of a broader osteopathic treatment approach and is especially helpful when the body needs a soft, precise touch.

 
Elizabeth Dwyer