What technique involves placing a patient on their side with a pillow roll underneath to allow the spine to straighten?

The technique that involves placing a patient on their side with a pillow roll underneath to facilitate spinal alignment is known as positional traction. This approach helps to create space within the intervertebral discs and can relieve pressure on spinal nerves. By placing the patient in this position, gravity and the pillow assist in straightening the spine, allowing for natural decompression and promoting relaxation of the surrounding musculature.

In contrast, manual therapy typically involves hands-on techniques to manipulate muscles and joints without necessarily using positional techniques for traction. Spinal manipulation focuses on direct therapeutic thrusts or adjustments to restore joint mobility but does not specifically require the use of positioning with a pillow roll. Soft tissue mobilization is centered around the manipulation of soft tissues like muscles and fascia to reduce tension and improve movement without using positional support.