Techniques - general

Question 1

What’s the minimum amount of time contact should be sustained, per location, with static contact?

Answer 1

10 seconds (unless using for cueing in teaching diaphragmatic breathing)

Question 2

What are the effects of static contact?

Answer 2

Reflex Effects

• generalized relaxation/sedation
• reduced anxiety
• reduced perception of pain/analgesia
• decreased local resting muscle tension or neuromuscular tone
• increased feeling of well-being

Question 3

What are the effects of soothing stroking?

Answer 3

Reflex Effects

• decreases sympathetic nervous system activity resulting in relaxation
• decreases perception of pain
• reduces muscle resting tension
• increases peristalsis when performed over abdomen or low back
• promotes feeling of well-being and being cared for

Question 4

What are the effects of stimulating stroking?

Answer 4

Reflex effects

-increases sympathetic nervous system activity resulting in mild stimulation, a “pick-up” effect

Question 5

What’s the minimum amount of time vibrations should be performed?

Answer 5

30 seconds

Question 6

What are the effects of fine vibrations?

Answer 6

Reflex Effects

• decreases sympathetic nervous system response (especially when applied over neck and sacrum)
• general soothing effects on musculature, viscera
• stimulates peristalsis and therefor reduces flatulence (when performed over he abdomen)

Mechanical Effects

• Stimulates local circulation (stimulates lymph nodes and lymphatic drainage)
• minimal effects below the surface of the skin

Question 7

What are indications of use for fine vibrations?

Answer 7

• pain (relief with 5-40 minutes of application)
• circulatory congestino
• muscle spasm
• atonic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence

Question 8

What are the effects of course vibrations?

Answer 8

Reflex Effects

• mild stimulating effects to musculature, viscera
• greater stimulating effect on peristalsis (when applied over the abdomen)

Mechanical Effects

• possible loosening of mucus (when strongly applied over lungs)
• stimulation of local lymphatic circulation

Question 9

What are indications of use for course vibrations?

Answer 9

• when mild stimulating effects are desired generally or locally (e.g. hypotonic muscles, flaccid paralysis when used cautiously)
• respiratory congestion
• atonic constipation

Question 10

When performing Effleurage, which direction is pressure always applied?

Answer 10

Centripetally (towards the heart)

Question 11

What are the effects of Effleurage?

Answer 11

Reflex Effects

• generalized relaxation/sedation if performed at a slow rate
• generalized stimulation if the technique is performed at a faster rate
• decreased perception of pain

Mechanical Effects

• increases venous circulation, and indirectly increases arterial circulation (which provides fuel for increased cellular and therefore organic function)
• increases lymphatic return, if performed superficially

Question 12

What are indications for use of Effleurage?

Answer 12

• conditions of over-stimulation (e.g. muscular tension, anxiety, excitability, insomnia) where overall relaxation/sedation is desired
• pain
• to reduce swelling (by increasing lymph return) and increase circulation in conditions in which circulation is temporarily compromised (e.g. in cases of musculoskeletal injuries such as: sprain, strain, bursitis, contusions, dislocations, separations and fractures)

Question 13

What are the superficial reflex techniques?

Answer 13

• stroking

- vibrations

Question 14

What’s the superficial fluid technique?

Answer 14

effleurage

Question 15

What’s the group of neuromuscular techniques called?

Answer 15

petrissage

Question 16

What are types of petrissage?

Answer 16

• muscle squeezing
• wringing
• picking up/C-scooping
• kneading (palmar, fingertip, thumb, fist, knuckle, forearm)

Question 17

What are the effects of Petrissage techniques?

Answer 17

Reflex Effects

• may be soothing or stimulating, depending on the application used, the location of its use, and the rate used
• decreases perception of pain

Mechanical Effects

• increases local circulation of blood and lymph fluid
• loosens and stretches muscle fibres
• may help to prevent and/or loosen adhesions
• improves connective tissue extensibility
• increases glandular activity of the skin
• may mechanically move intestinal contents when applied to the abdomen

Question 18

What are indications for use of Petrissage techniques?

Answer 18

• increase perception of relaxation
• reduce perception of anxiety
• pain
• local edema
• most conditions of muscles, especially increased resting muscle tension and hypotonicity
• to increase reduced joint ROM
• adhesions, contracture, fibrosis
• constipation

Question 19

What are the types of tapotement?

Answer 19

Light - pincement, tapping, point hacking
Medium - loose hacking, stiff hacking, clapping
Heavy - cupping, beating, pounding

Question 20

How long must tapotement techniques be performed?

Answer 20

2 minutes

Question 21

What are effects of tapotement techniques?

Answer 21

Reflex Effects

• vasoconstriction/vasolidation response
• increases/stimulates neuromuscular tone
• secondary responses may be sedative
• production of transient hyperstimulation, and may be analgesic if performed for long duration
• increases parasympNS response when applied lightly over sacrum
• affects various organs when applied to the back, usually increasing their activity and improving their function

Mechanical Effects

• increases local circulation and muscle temperature
• increases local metabolism
• increases glandular activity of the skin
• loosens mucus
• increases metabolism and gaseous exchange
• promotes expectoration and coughing