Effects of therapeutic uses of massage

Question 1

What is the mechanical effects of massage

Answer 1

Movement of lymph , blood, oedema and lung secretions
Mobilisation of muscle fibres, tendons ,scar tissue, tissue layers

Question 2

Physiological effects — Blood and Lymph flow

Answer 2

Increased flow of nutrient supply to tissues and oedema goes down
Removal of metabolic waste products

Question 3

Physiological effects : Stimulation of healing process

Answer 3

Acute inflammatory - vasodilation/constriction , phagocytosis
Cardinal signs = 72 hours of heat swelling redness and pain
Altered chemical state in tissue irritates nerve endings

Proliferative phase – Fibroblastic infiltration and collagen formation

Remodelling – contraction of scar and tensile strength of collagen

Question 4

Physiological effects: Joint mobility

Answer 4

Extensibility of connective tissue

Question 5

Other physiological effects

Answer 5

Facilitation of muscle activity , pain relief and immunological

Question 6

Local analgesia

Answer 6

FLuid exchange and circulation improves local chemical environment

• the fluid pressure on nerve ending goes down

-less muscle spasms
- soft tissue extensibility goes up

Question 7

Pain Gate theory

Answer 7

Pressure impulses travel to dorsal horn of spinal cord via fast myelinated fibres
Before pain impulses in slower unmyelinated fibres

Question 8

Psychological effects

Answer 8

Relaxtion
relief of anxiety