Therapeutic Massage Flashcards
What are the effects of therapeutic massage (9)
- Assessment
- Invigorate the body
- Promote relaxation
- Promote superficial blood flow
- Increased pain threshold
- Can promote lymph flow to reduce edema
- Increased tissue extensibility
- Decreased scar tissue
- Restore joint mobility
What can you assess when giving a therapeutic massage (8)
1, Mobility of tissue
- Muscle tone
- Scar tissue
- Adhesions
- Contractures
- Fluid in area
- Does tissue respond
- Temperature
What are the indications for therapeutic massage (8)
- Pain
- Muscle spasm
- Edema
- Headache
- Muscle soreness
- To increase local blood flow
- To assist with lymph drainage
- Scar tissue adhesions
What are the contraindications for therapeutic massage (9)
- Arterosclerosis
- Thrombosis
- Embolism
- Acute phlebitis
- Severe varicose veins
- Cellulitis/skin infections
- Acute inflammation
- Cancer
- Open wounds
What is a therapeutic massage
Relating to a treatment for a disease or disorder, something required as part of a treatment
What is a relaxation massage
Pt desires a rubdown to relax muscles or self due to overwork or tension
What are the 2 categories of physiologic effects of therapeutic massage
- Reflexive effects
2. Mechanical effects
What are the reflexive effects of therapeutic massage (4)
- Acts on local sensory and motor nerves as well as the CNS
- Capable of inducing sedation
- Attempts to exert effects through the skin and superficial connective tissues via sensory receptors
- Pain, circulation, and metabolism
How do the reflexive effects take effect
By stimulating receptors
What are the mechanical effects of therapeutic massage (5)
- Mechanical effects are always accompanied by reflexive effect but with an inverse relationship
- Muscle elongation and mobilization of soft tissue adhesions
- Increases blood flow to skeletal muscle
- May retard muscle atrophy following injury
- Increases skin temperature
What are the forces used to apply therapeutic massage (5)
- Compression
- Tension
- Shear
- Bending
- Torsion
What is the resting position
Placing of open relaxed hands on the client
What is the resting position used for
Entering the clients personal space and allowing the client to get used to your touch
What are the basic massage strokes (8)
- Gliding or effleurage
- Kneading or petrissage
- Compression
- Vibration
- Shaking
- Rocking
- Percussion or tapotement
- Friction
What is the first and last stroke you will do during a massage
Effleurage or gliding
What is effleurage
A motion gliding lightly over the skin without attempting to move deeper tissues
What is the purpose of effleurage (4)
- To accustom the patient to the touch of the therapist
- To apply the lubricant
- To increase skin circulation
- To increase the rate of metabolic exchange in the periphery
What is an effleurage stroke
Unidirectional stroke towards the heart that starts light made with the heel of the hand fingers slightly bent and thumb spread and contact is always maintained
What is kneading or petrissage
Kneading of soft tissue that presses and rolls the muscle under the fingers or hands
What is the purpose of kneading or petrissage (5)
- To increase venous and lymphatic return
- To press metabolic waste products out of the target tissues
- Break up adhesions between the skin and underlying tissues
- Loosen adherent fibrous tissue
- Increase elasticity in the skin