ROODS Techniques Flashcards
ROODS Techniques:
2 types: 1. Facilitatory Techniques / 2. Inhibitory Techniques:
- Facilitatory Techniques:
a. Quick Stretch
b. Resistance
c. Approximation (compression)
d. Traction (distraction)
e. Light Touch
f. Vibration
g. Brushing - Inhibitory Techniques:
a. Prolonged Stretch
b. Brushing
c. Neutral Warmth
d. Slow stroking
Facilitatory Techniques
Quick Stretch
Facilitatory Techniques
Quick Stretch
● rapidly tapping over the muscle bellies or tendons
Ex. Rapidly tap the biceps, and give the command “bring your hand to your face”
Facilitatory Techniques
Resistance
Resistance
● apply resistance (isometrically and isotonically) to the client’s given movement
● the amount of resistance given and duration of application depends on what muscles are being used and the
quality of tone in the muscle
● Ex. Ask the client to extend their elbow while you resist the movement
Facilitatory Techniques:
Approximation (compression) ↑extension
Approximation (compression) ↑extension
● apply and maintain pressure to correctly align joint to facilitate extension
● Ex. Place the client in a quadruped position to facilitate receptors in hips and shoulders
Facilitatory Techniques:
Traction (distraction) ↑flexion
Traction (distraction) ↑flexion
● slowly apply a distraction force to a joint to facilitate flexion
● Ex. Apply a traction force to a client’s involved shoulder to facilitate that joint’s flexor muscles
Facilitatory Techniques:
Light Touch
Light Touch
● lightly stroke muscle belly, manually or with ice (few repetitions only)
● brief applications of cold have an excitatory effect which is immediate and most effective when applied to skin
overlying the extensors or limbs and when the part is warm
● Ex. Support the client’s involved upper limb in a pronated position. With ice, stroke the client’s forearm in a
distal to proximal direction while giving the command, “bend your wrist up”
Facilitatory Techniques:
Vibration
Vibration
● using your hand or a mechanical vibrator, apply coarse vibrations to muscle bellies in a distal to proximal
direction
● Ex. Apply vibration to a flaccid biceps while giving the command, “bring your hand to your face”
Inhibitory Techniques:
Prolonged Stretch
Prolonged Stretch
● apply firm pressure and gradual stretch to tendon of hypertonic deep muscle to inhibit deep muscle and excite
antagonists
● The full length is gradually obtained and should be held for 5 minutes. Other stimuli then follow to elicit correct
postural use of the part
● Ex. A chain reaction can be gained if slow stretch is applied to the soleus muscle, with the knee flexed.
Reciprocal activation of dorsi-flexion is obtained, which in turn inhibits the gastroc muscle. The extensor thrust is
prevented and normal stance facilitated.
Facilitatory Techniques:
Brushing
● brisk cutaneous brushing, given in a distal to proximal direction
● a soft artist or decorator’s brush can be used if available
● Ex. As a stimulant prior to other techniques such as vibration, brushing increases the effect of the other
technique. The effect is delayed for up to 20 minutes, if the nerve pathways to the inhibited muscles have not
been used recently
Inhibitory Techniques:
Brushing
Brushing
● (pain relief) apply brush smoothly and distally over muscle belly, or where dermatomes and myotomes meet
● Ex. Brush downwards from the base of the skull to relieve pain due to cervical hypertonus.
Inhibitory Techniques:
Neutral Warmth
Neutral Warmth
● apply a source of constant, gentle heat
● Ex. Cover clients in a blanket, employ heat packs, or immerse in warm water to decrease muscle tone.
Inhibitory Techniques:
Slow stroking
Slow stroking
● slow, even, rhythmic stroking, proximal to distal in direction; firm, not heavy pressure with hands.
● Ex. With the client lying prone, alternately slowly stroke distally over the para-vertebral muscles from the neck
to buttock (just lateral to the vertebral column)
