Principles of Massage Flashcards
Define massage
- most often associated with rubbing and kneading muscles to relieve tension, stress and promote overall relaxation
Define soft tissue mobilization (STM)
- a form of manual physical therapy using different hands-on techniques to mobilize muscles, ligaments, and fascia with the goal of breaking adhesions
Contraindications for massage
- cardiac decompensation
- edema
- hematoma
- impaired mental state
- nonunion fracture
- DVT/phlebitis
- immediate post operation
- laceration
- skin lesions or wounds/cellulitis
- fever/infection
- acute condition/inflammation
- worsens pt’s condition
Purpose of effleurage
- relaxation
- increase venous and lymphatic drainage
- introduction and conclusion to other techniques
Purpose of petrissage
- stimulate circulation
- free adhesion
- relaxation
- milk the muscle of waste products
- wring out the towel
Types of sift tissue mobilization
- myofascial release
- instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization
- myofascial manipulation
- active release technique
- cross friction massage
- transverse friction massage
- graston technique
- myofascial stretching
Define trigger points
- hyperirritable foci lying within taut bands of muscle, which are painful upon compression and which consistently refer pain to a distal site or a site away from the point of origin
Characteristics of active trigger points
- tender spot, may refer pain
- local twitch response with strumming
- ROM painful and restricted
- active muscle contraction may increase pain
Characteristics of latent trigger points
- characteristics of active point, but pain only with palpation
- person may be unaware otherwise
A palpable taut band is identified when a
- taut cord-like band could be observed or found during the palpation
Spot tenderness is identified with the
- patient’s complaint of pain during palpation
Define oscillation technique
- direct pressure into the point
Define friction technique
- deep circular motions with the tips of fingers, thumbs, elbow, or heel or hand
Define push & hold technique
- push deep into the trigger point, hold & don’t release, look for the patient’s tissue to release
Define strain-counterstrain technique
- put muscle on slack & hold for 90 seconds, then with the patient still relaxed passively move them back into neutral position
Define active contractions/muscle energy technique
- essentially PNF like, low intensity contractions to the antagonist muscle
Other treatments for trigger points
- dry needling
- massage/relaxation
- heat application
- Estim
- spray-n-stretch
- active exercise
- NSAIDS/muscle relaxants
Describe scar tissue massage
- prevents adhesions & motion.mobility deficits, increases tissue strength along lines of stress
- fingers move the superficial layers over the deep layers of tissue
What stages can scar tissue massage be applied
Acute inflammatory phase: no scar tissue massage
Fibroblast proliferative phase: begin gentle massage
Collagen remodeling phase: massage can be more vigorous in force
Describe percussion
-repeated rhythmical light striking of the skin
- stimulation of muscle activity
- used for respiratory ailments to promote mobilization of secretions
Describe vibration
- shaking of muscles for relaxation or stimulation
