STR Flashcards
What does STR mean
Soft tissue Release
Effects of massage may be either ___ or ___
reflexive or mechanical
What is a reflexive effect of massage?
Effects sensory and motor nerves locally and some CNS response
What is a mechanical effect of massage?
Makes mechanical or histological changes in myofascial structures through direct force applied superficially or deep
Explain the reflexive effect in link with how the contact stimulates receptors
Contact stimulates cutaneous receptors - reflex mechanism is believed to be ANS phenomenon
What does the reflex stimulus causes for the patient?
Sedation, relieves tension, increases blood flow
How does reflexive affects pain?
Modulate pain through GCT and beta-endoprhins
How does the reflexive affects the circulation?
Increase blood flow
Increased lymphatic flow
May also impact lactate clearance
How does the mechanical affects the muscle?
Mechanical stretching of intramuscular connective tissue
To relieve pain and discomfort associated with myofascial trigger points
Increase blood flow to skeletal muscle
To retard muscle atrophy following injury
To increase ROM
Does not increase strength or muscle tone
How does the mechanical affects the skin?
Increase in skin temp.
Increases sweating (pt on table)
Mechanically loosens adhesions and softens scar
Stretches and breaks down fibrous scar tissue
Breaks down adhesions between skin and subcutaneous tissue
Describe the ‘‘Hand’s on’’ effect
Helps the patient feel as if someone is helping them (make sure to address the area affects to boost the patient’s somatosensory)
Treatment considerations and guidelines (3)
- Knowledge of anatomy essential
- Understanding of existing pathology
- Thorough knowledge of massage principles
duration of treatment technique depends on what
Pathology
Size of area treated
Speed of motion
Age
Size
Condition
What are the advantages of using STR vs stretching? Give 2
Targeting specific areas of tension
Targeting muscles that are difficult to stretch actively or isolating a specific muscle that would stretch with others normally
Indications for benefiting from STR
- Any athlete who wants to target a specific area of tension
- It is useful when time is limited
- Anyone recovering from MSK injuries
- Anyone who maintains a static position for long period
- Anyone seeking treatment for certain injuries
- Increased muscle tension, scar tissue, TP release
Is it better to do an STR distal to proximal or proximal to distal?
Proximal to distal
What is this technique: ‘‘Fix’’ part of the muscle against underlying structures creating a false insertion point
Locking (for STR) 5-10 reps
When should STR be done?
- Before/during/after massage
- As tx method itself
- Help in overcoming excessive tightness or spasming
- Caution should be taken in pre-event
- Caution should be taken in post-event
What are the 4 benefits of STR?
- Improves flexibility and posture
- Alleviates pain of muscle tension
- Takes pressure off associated joint structures
- STR can help in stretching tissues without causing the joint to move through its full range.
Contraindications of STR
- If you would not massage the athlete, you should not do an STR
- Patients who bruise easily
- Patients who are hypermobile
3 methods of STR
Passive
Active assisted
Active
Difference between active STR and active-assisted STR
Active STR does not require the therapist to be present - useful to give as HEP
What are the 2 tools to measure effectiveness of STR?
Visual analog scale (0-10)
Movement or flexibility tests
Who designed the 5Rs technique?
Scott Livingston
