Muscle Spasm Mechanism

Question 1

There are two terms that are related to the term “spasm.” ________ refers to an upper motor neuron lesion whereas ________ refers to tight muscles.

Answer 1

Spasticity, hypertonicity

Question 2

There are three main categories in the spectrum of muscle tone. Muscle tone can either be ________ (tension), ________ (contracted), or _________(contracture).

Answer 2

Functional, dysfunctional, pathological

Question 3

________ can result from a number of stimuli such as local trauma, compensation, functional demand/overuse, visceral dysfunction, and reflex mechanisms.

Answer 3

Hypertonicity

Question 4

Of the numerous scenarios in which hypertonicity can occur, ________ and ________ are special conditions that have associated pain, decreased range of motion, and N-V-L entrapment.

Answer 4

Myofascial trigger points, viscerosomatic reflexes

Question 5

An upper motor neuron lesion can lead to ________ and a lower motor neuron lesion can lead to ________.

Answer 5

Spasticity, flaccidity

Question 6

A ________ is defined as all the muscle fibers that receive innervation from the same nerve.

Answer 6

Myotactic unit

Question 7

What is the leading precipitating and perpetuating factor of myofascial trigger points?

Answer 7

Postural imbalance

Question 8

Sonoelastography imaging is utilized to identity trigger points by measuring ________ within muscle.

Answer 8

Stiffness

Question 9

Upon palpation of a myofascial trigger point, you may feel a ________, ________ and the patient may experience ________.

Answer 9

Taut band, twitching, radiating pain

Question 10

_________ test uses the scalenes to elevate the first rib. This test can identify scalene ________.

Answer 10

Adson’s, trigger points

Question 11

Some of the treatments for hypertonicity consist of ________, ________, ________, and ________.

Answer 11

Soft tissue, myofascial release, counterstrain, ME

Question 12

If hypertonicity is identified within a recurrent postural muscle pattern, treat the underlying ________.

Answer 12

Postural problem

Question 13

Which muscle is the most overlooked cause of myofascial low back pain?

Answer 13

Quadratus lumborum

Question 14

A shortened psoas major leads to a positive ________.

Answer 14

Thomas test

Question 15

The key lesion indicating a psoas major issue is a ________ biomechanical diagnosis at the level of ________ or ________ (the side of the shortened psoas will be the side in which side bending and rotation occur.

Answer 15

Type II, L1, L2

Question 16

With ME treatments, ________ is used for an acute painful muscle and utilizes reflex relaxation. ________ is used for a tight muscle (usually chronic) and causes intramuscular change.

Answer 16

Reciprocal inhibition, post-isometric relaxation

Question 17

Which ME technique contracts an asymptomatic muscle in order to inhibit a tight muscle so that it can be lengthened?

Answer 17

Reciprocal inhibition

Question 18

Which ME technique contracts the symptomatic muscle without lengthening or shortening to internally increase range of motion through the barrier?

Answer 18

Post-isometric relaxation

Question 19

Overuse of the scalenes/pectoral is minor can lead to ________.

Answer 19

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Question 20

Overuse of the wrist/finger flexors and pronator teres can lead to ________.

Answer 20

Carpel tunnel syndrome symptoms

Question 21

The tissue texture change will be greater than the change in range of motion in ________ reflexes.

Answer 21

Viscerosomatic

Question 22

Viscerosomatic reflexes are ________ related to paraspinal muscle hypertonicity.

Answer 22

Segmentally

Question 23

Viscerosomatic reflexes respond well to ________ and/or ________ techniques.

Answer 23

ME, BLT

Question 24

Muscle involvement in viscerosomatic reflexes may cause ________ and ________ to the side of the involved organ as well as ________.

Answer 24

SB, rotation, extension

Question 25

In appendicitis, where are you likely to see hypertonicity?

Answer 25

Peri-umbilical, tip of 12th rib, McBurney’s point and rebound tenderness

Question 26

Peri-umbilical pain is a _______ reflex, tip of the 12th rib is a ________ reflex, and McBurney’s point and rebound tenderness are ________ reflexes.

Answer 26

Visceral, viscerosomatic, peritoneocutaneous

Question 27

In viscerosomatic reflexes of the GI tract, tissue texture changes that are likely to occur are paraspinal and intercostal muscle ________.

Answer 27

Hypertonicity

Question 28

In viscerosomatic reflexes of the GI tract, rib somatic dysfunctions will relate to foregut, midgut, and hindgut sympathetic innervation. The levels are ________, ________, and ________ respectively.

Answer 28

T5-T9, T10-T11, T12-L2

Question 29

In viscerosomatic reflexes of the GI tract, ________ reflexes or ________ may be present.

Answer 29

Chapman’s, myofascial trigger points