Soft Tissue Mobilization

Question 1

Soft tissue mobilization keys for success

Answer 1

• ask permission of the patient
• words matter
• watch your biomechanics
• continual assessment
• believe in your hands
• experience really helps
• learn from each other
• always learning

Question 2

Goals of manual therapy

Answer 2

• improve tissue extensibility
• increase ROM
• induce relaxation
• mobilize or manipulate soft tissue & joints
• modulate pain
• reduce soft tissue swelling, inflammation, or restriction

Question 3

Manual therapy techniques

Answer 3

• manual lymphatic drainage
• manual traction
• massage
• mobilization/manipulation
• neural tissue mobilization
• PROM

Question 4

Define push & hold trigger point technique

Answer 4

• use deep pressure on the trigger point, lock into it & hold

Question 5

Define oscillate trigger point technique

Answer 5

• press on trigger point engaging the outer layers & oscillate for 30 sec until it releases, then move deeper & deeper

Question 6

Define cross-fiber & friction trigger point technique

Answer 6

• use deep pressure to rub either across the fiber direction of the muscle with the trigger point or across the trigger point to create friction

Question 7

Define active contraction/muscle energy trigger point technique

Answer 7

• test the motion first, use an isometric hold in the opposite direction then move back tot he test direction

Question 8

Define strain-counter strain trigger point technique

Answer 8

• use light pressure with a 3 plane relaxation of the tissue, hold for 90 sec, then passively move them back to neutral

Question 9

Describe myofascial release

Answer 9

• locate restricted fascial glide
• apply a gentle pressure to lock into the fascia & then apply traction on the restriction
• requires 2 points of contact

Question 10

Describe myofascial release for upper trap

Answer 10

• cervical flexion
• contralateral side bend
• ipsilateral rotation

Question 11

Describe myofascial release for elevator scapulae

Answer 11

• cervical flexion
• contralateral rotation
• contralateral side bend
• depress the shoulder

Question 12

Describe myofasical release of sternoclaudomastoid

Answer 12

• cervical extension
• contralateral side bend
• ipsilateral rotation

Question 13

Describe Syrian cross friction massage

Answer 13

• friction massage must be given across the affected fibers
• therapist’s fingers & patient’s skin must move as one
• friction massage must have sufficient sweep & be deep enough
• patient must be in comfortable position

Question 14

Describe sub-occipital release

Answer 14

• position supine with no pillow
• place hands together with fingertips pointing to the patient’s eyes
  -use thenar’s to counterbalance the head & control fingertip pressure