manual skills100

Question 1

professional hygiene

Answer 1

Sterilization – Destroys all organisms by means of heat.
E.g. – Pressurized steam bath, extreme temperature irradiation.

Sanitization – Destroys all pathogens (but not necessarily all microbes on inanimate objects.
E.g. – Chemicals (iodine, chlorine, alcohol, soaps).

Question 2

electronic devise policy

Answer 2

During your clinic internship (Terms 2 – 5), cell phones are NOT allowed in clinic OR on your body. Please keep cell phone in your locker or classroom
In the classroom, please have your phone on SILENT
During interview assessment, when placing laptop on massage table, place towel underneath for hygiene
In clinic, once assessment is complete, bring your laptop back into the supervisor room.
Always CHARGE your electronic devices the night before clinic and classes

Question 3

reccommended clothing

Answer 3

NO perfumes or colognes (we are a scent-free environment)
NO scented oils and lotions (Note: Essential Oils: NOT in our scope of practice).
NOT appropriate to have YOUR clothing touch your guest’s body during treatment.
Wear breathable natural fibres that allow you to move while performing a technique.
Shoes should be supportive and offer enough traction to easily transfer and shift your body weight.
Hiking boots, although supportive, are generally too heavy for our purposes.
Bare feet or socks without shoes, flip-flops and high heels are not acceptable in the classroom during exchanges.
Although there are a variety of shoes that meet our needs, cross-trainers seem to be regularly chosen by many massage therapists.

Question 4

which term is correct

Answer 4

SPAS PREFER GUEST
CLINICS PREFER PATIENT
SOME PATIENTS PREFER CLIENT

Question 5

use

effect

Answer 5

USE
The purpose of a technique

EFFECTS
The physiological response to a technique
3 types
EFFECTS cont’d

a) Mechanical Effects
b) Reflex Effects
c) Chemical Effects

Question 6

indications

Answer 6

Is the condition that dictates the appropriate technique(s) to be utilized

Question 7

contraindications or precautions

Answer 7

CONTRA-INDICATIONS (CI’S)
Or
PRECAUTIONS
A precaution to treatment
When therapy or certain techniques are not indicated for a given situation
When Massage Therapy is CI’d, a therapist must modify the treatment

Question 8

cont/precautions

Answer 8

FULL BODY
When the situation or condition affects the whole body
LOCAL
When the situation or condition affects a particular region or body part

Question 9

components of application of massage

Answer 9

PRESSURE
RATE
RHYTHM
DURATION

PRRIDE!

Question 10

palpation

Answer 10

Palpation is the skillful art of touching and exploring the body, locating different structures, and assessing the quality of structural characteristics.
Palpation can be defined as – ‘to examine by touch’.
The sensory aspects of palpation start with recognition of your hands touching something.
When we as therapists intentionally touch with mindful, conscious awareness eventually it becomes second nature.
Good palpation skills are critical for massage therapy and therapists with good palpation skills become soft tissue experts.
“There are more nerve endings in the skin than any other part of the body – 600,000 overall in an adult; 50,000 per square inch in the fingertips. A single touch receptor in a fingertip can detect pressure of less than 1/1400 of an ounce, or the weight of an average housefly”. Braun & Simonson, Introduction to Massage Therapy – 1st edition.
When it comes to palpation the term “Less is More” is applied. Palpating with soft hands, molding to the contours of the body allows the guest to be better able to relax.
Too deep or too hard with the fingers may elicit a guarding mechanism in the body, whereby the body’s muscles contract against your contact making it very difficult to palpate underlying structures.

Question 11

anitomical palpation

Answer 11

To Locate
Finger pressure usually firm
Shorter duration
Descriptive words used are usually anatomical in nature

Question 12

sensory palpation

Answer 12

To describe
Lighter towards firmer
Longer duration
Descriptive words not anatomical

Question 13

dynamic palpation

Answer 13

Utilizing your knowledge of anatomy, land-marking structures around the area that lead you to a distinctive land-mark.

Question 14

static palpation

Answer 14

Going straight to the land-mark with your palpation

Question 15

4 Ts of palpation

Answer 15

Temperature
Texture
Tone
Tenderness

Question 16

temperature

Answer 16

The degree of intensity of palpable heat or cold of a body – are there differences between regions of the body.
Temperature can be an indicator of circulation. Excessive heat can be caused by a fever or by the increased circulation of an inflammatory process that is the body’s response to an injury.

Question 17

texture

Answer 17

Variation or different types of palpable tissue quality – do the structures feel ropey, bumpy, spongy, hard etc.
scar tissues and restricted fascia can feel as if the tissues are bound down and stuck together.
Hypertonic muscles feel tight and resistant when they are in a relaxed position.

Question 18

tone

Answer 18

The normal degree of tension – the nervous system is primarily responsible for determining the tone / tension in the muscle
How does the muscle respond to stretch – can it be lengthened easily or not.
If you push into the muscle does it spring back at you

Question 19

tenderness

Answer 19

Patient’s sensitivity to touch and pressure

Some have a higher tolerance to touch pressure than others

Question 20

biomechanics

Answer 20

Is the study of how the movement of humans and living creatures is affected by both internal and external factors.
Careful and efficient ways to move your body, incorporating the principles of leverage and efficient structural alignment of your body to minimize your fatigue and keep you from injuring yourself.

Question 21

two components of bio mechanics

Answer 21

Principle of Leverage
Maximizes the amount of pressure you can apply with a minimum amount of muscular work by using your body as a rigid structure that leans into your patient with your body weight
Efficient Structural Alignment
Use of Asymmetric or a Symmetrical stance for different types of strokes
Massage Table at a comfortable height
Correct alignment of your body

Question 22

biomechanics cont

Answer 22

Leaning
Allows you to apply good pressure with the least stress on the body.
Proper Table Height
Is a critical component of good biomechanics
General Rule, have the table set at a height so that the top of the table is at the knuckle height when standing beside it.
Or at mid-thigh
Symmetrical Stance
Also called Warrior or horse stance
Toes/hips forward, feet shoulder width apart
Good to use for strokes in which your feet are fairly stationary (when a stroke doesn’t travel too far along a patient’s body
Asymmetrical Stance
Also called archer or lunge stance
Both feet on the ground, shoulder width apart, one foot in front of the other, and the back foot is laterally rotated.
Front knee is flexed, and is used for balance
The back foot supports your weight
Most used for strokes that require a lot of pressure or strokes that travel greater distances

Question 23

positioning on the table

Answer 23

PRONE
SUPINE
SIDE-LYING
SEMI-FOWLER’S

Question 24

types of massage oil

Answer 24

Lubricants are used to reduce friction between your skin and your guest’s skin to increase comfort of the massage strokes.
Each lubricant has a different;
Consistency, amount of glide, absorption rate, cost, shelf life, scent, storage requirement
Are further broken down into these categories;
Oils, Lotions/Creams/Gels, Powders
At VCMT we use Bon Vital Massage Gel because it has a great glide, it’s natural and good for our patients as well as ourselves and it is hypo-allergenic and scent-free
The only allergy we need to be aware of when using our massage gel, is an allergy to SESAME SEED as this gel does contain it.

Question 25

principles of massage

Answer 25

GENERAL to SPECIFIC to GENERAL

SUPERFICIAL to DEEP to SUPERFICIAL

PROXIMAL to DISTAL to PROXIMAL

PERIPHERY to CENTER to PERIPHERY
surround the dragon

Question 26

general speciic general

Answer 26

Area of body:
A rhythmical flow of massage is best achieved by working from a larger area of the body into a smaller area, then gradually back to a larger area. To reduce guarding and minimize guest discomfort begin with general overall contact of larger areas before progressing to specific areas related to the clinical findings/chief complaint. Return to the larger structure, linking the specific to the whole before progressing to another area.
Techniques:
General to specific also pertains to the choice of techniques. The therapist should commence application with broader strokes, progress to more specific techniques and then finish with the broader strokes.
Part of therapist’s hands:
Palmar, whole hand contact accustoms the guest to your touch and allows them to relax. It also allows the therapist to palpate and recognise painful areas. With digits and thumbs, more specific work can be done to affect more specific structures. Return to general with full palmar contact, ensure sufficient venous and lymphatic return

Question 27

superficial deep superficial

Answer 27

Begin movements with relatively superficial light pressure, progress to deeper and/or firmer pressure once the soft tissues have relaxed and circulation increases, then back to a superficial contact.

Techniques:
Superficial to Deep to Superficial also pertains to the choice of techniques. The therapist should commence application with broader (full palmar contact) strokes, progress to more specific techniques and then finish with the broader strokes.

Question 28

proximal distal proximal

Answer 28

When discussing treatment of the limbs, the heart is the most proximal.
Begin at the most proximal part of the limb, which is closer to the heart, progress distally, farther from the heart and then return proximally.
For example when massaging the lower extremity begin at the hip (proximal) and progress down to the thigh, calf and then the feet (distal) and then finish with general strokes towards the proximal area. As well, intermittently incorporate general strokes to the proximal area to maintain relaxation and circulation

Question 29

periphery centre periphery

Answer 29

In general, avoid treating the area of pain or source of dysfunction first, even though it will be the main focus.  
Include this area in general techniques such as effleurage to acknowledge and palpate it for heat, tenderness and swelling.  
If this area is approached too deeply too soon it will only exacerbate the patient's discomfort and a protective mechanism will prevent you from being effective.  
Therefore, treat the unaffected side or surrounding area first; this will help to address compensatory changes and reflexively relax the affected soft tissue.
Once specific (center) work is completed, return to periphery to flush the area and reduce tenderness in the area.

Question 30

compressions

Answer 30

DEFINITION: Pressure and release movements applied by one or both hands. Pressure is applied into soft tissues compressing down toward underlying structures. It can be superficial to deep. When applying to limbs the application is usually proximal to distal.
INDICATIONS-edema-hyper toned muscles (muscle tension) poor or sluggish circulation prevention of fibrosis, especially after strenuous exercise palpative assessment of the area treated introductory technique indicated when disrobing may not be appropriate post event technique in sports massage

CONTRA-INDICATIONS All local and general CI’s

Question 31

effects of compressions

Answer 31

a-increases local and cutaneous circulation compression of the tissue empties venous beds, lowering venous pressure and increasing capillary flow
b- Increase interstitial fluid exchange increases nutrient supply to the area of application increases waste removal from area of application
c- Increases Relaxation and Elongates Hypertoned Muscle Fibers - significant pressure or stretch to any tight or hypertoned muscle fibers may elicit a response from small organs within the muscle structures ( Golgi tendon apparatus & muscle spindles)

Question 32

rocking

Answer 32

Rocking Is a technique for which you use smooth, rhythmic, intermittent pushes to slowly rock a guest’s limb or entire body.
Slow and gentle rocking movement is a well-known way to soothe and relax babies and adults, alike.
Rocking is accomplished by maintaining the back-and-forth rhythm of the client’s body with well-timed series of pushes and releases.
You can put pressure on the client’s arm, leg, or pelvis to create the rocking motion.
The main purpose of rocking is to encourage relaxation.
Rocking in often used as the first technique to introduce your touch.
Rocking is often sedative but can also be very stimulating if done with vigour. In Manual Skills 100, we will focus rocking as a sedative technique.

Question 33

consent

Answer 33

Consent to treatment is a cornerstone of patient-centred health care. Informing patients and involving them in decisions about their treatment is integral to care delivery

Question 34

consent

Answer 34

Informed consent is performed face-to-face with the patient and should be the last thing you say before leaving the treatment room
By doing so, allows the patient to alter/change any part of the treatment plan.
Using laymen terms is also vital for RMT’s so patients can fully comprehend what they are consenting to.

Question 35

example of uses

Answer 35

Informed consent is performed face-to-face with the patient and should be the last thing you say before leaving the treatment room
By doing so, allows the patient to alter/change any part of the treatment plan.
Using laymen terms is also vital for RMT’s so patients can fully comprehend what they are consenting to.