therapeutic massage Flashcards
what are the seven physiological effects?
- improves circulation and lymphatic flow
- assist in removal of waste products
- sedate or stimulate nerve endings
- increase or decrease muscle tone
- increase or decrease muscle length
- remodel scar tissue
- psychological effects e.g., relaxation, stress, mental prep for sport
what does the lymphatic system mirror?
- mirrors the vascular system
what is the lymphatic system?
- tiny lymph capillaries form a mesh- like structure in tissue spaces
what do capillaries form?
- unite to form larger lymphatic vessels
what do larger collecting trunks have?
- have smooth muscle present in their walls
what is the reason for drainage of excess tissue fluid?
- maintains fluid balances via lymph and blood capillary vessels
what does lymph resemble?
- blood plasma and intercellular fluids
what are the three roles of the lymphatic system?
- gets rid of waste and toxins
- transports lymph
- helps flow
what are the lymphatic effects of massages?
- assists lymphatic drainage
how is effleurage performed? - relating to lymphatic effects
- performed in unidirectional manner (distal to proximal) towards the nearest lymph nodes
what assists effleurage?
- elevating the limb
what circulatory effect does a massage enhance?
- enhances venous return
what circulatory factors does a massage replenish? what does it remove?
- oxygen and nutrients
- removes waste e.g., inflammatory products and chemical irritants
what are the connective tissue effects? (3)
- restores mobility
- maintains pliability and length
- promotes remodelling along the lines of stress
what are the two muscle effects of a massage? what is reduced?
- reduces muscle soreness (post injury or post exercise)
- reduces muscle tension and spasm
how is pain reduced?
- reduced due to pain gate theory where endorphins are stimulated and released
e.g., serotonin, dopamine
what is the gate in dorsal horn of spine called?
- called pain gate
- receives sensory information and passes it onto the brain region
what happens to fibres during massage?
- non painful fibres are stimulated and blocks the transmission of painful fibres being sent
what do non painful fibres send information about? what do they do?
- information about touch
- these excite the interneuron which inhibits the pain signal and closes to the pain gate
what are the pain effects? (3)
+ increased circulation> reducing noxious stimuli
+ positive mood
+ promotes relaxation > stress reduction
what are the contraindications of massage?
- massage over open wound
- malignant tumour presence
- inadequate blood supply
- acute injuries, haematoma
- fractures
- skin conditions: burns, infections
- suspected DVT ( deep vein thrombosis)
what are the cautions of massage?
- fragile skin
- circulation disorders
- patients with heart problems; chest and neck not massage, care taken with thoracic spine
- osteoporosis
what are the four massage techniques?
- effleurage
- stroking
- friction
- petrissage
what is effleurage?
- stroke pressure towards heart and lymph distal to proximal
what does effleurage remove?
- removes chemical irritants
what is stroking?
- proximal to distal
- increases flow to superficial muscles
what is friction?
- pressure applied through fingertips to increase circulation and release tight areas
what is petrissage?
- increases mobility between surface interface by compressing soft tissue
what are the three types of petrissage?
- kneading
- wringing
- picking up
what is kneading?
- circular motions
- hands in opposite directions going proximal to distal
what is wringing?
- tissue compressed by pushing one hand away and one hand towards
what is picking up?
- compress and scoop tissue to end feel
