Therapeutic Massage and Soft Tissue Mob

Question 1

What type of effects does massage have on body?

Answer 1

Mechanical, physiological, and psychological

Question 2

What systems are affected by massage?

Answer 2

Circulatory, CNS, and musculoskeletal

Question 3

What are the mechanical effects of massage?

Answer 3

• Increases lubricant effect and warmth
  -Used to treat scar tissue and adhesions
  -Promote and retain mobility of new skin tissues
  -Over lungs, frees mucus

Question 4

Physiological effects of massage on circulatory system?

Answer 4

-Change in skin color (b/c increased circulatory flow, blood velocity, and blood viscosity)
-Effects BP, HR, skin temp, conductivity, and oxygen consumption
-Increased release of histamine (causes dilation of minute blood vessels, flush/redness, slight swelling)

Question 5

Physiological effects on nervous system?

Answer 5

-Spinal motor neuron excitability of spinal reflex pathways is reduced due to decreased H-reflex
-Inhibitory influence on a (alpha) motor neuron excitability
-Releases endorphines (reduces chronic pain)

Question 6

Physiological effects on MS system

Answer 6

-Affects muscle fatigue
-Affects degree of muscle tone

Question 7

Psychological Effects of massage?

Answer 7

-Positive
-Increased feeling of relaxation & rest
-Decreased anxiety level & stress hormone level
-Increased levels of immunoglobin A (improves immune system)
-Helps in reducing depression & adjustment disorders
-Improves pain outcomes, mental energy & self rated health
-Improves sleep

Question 8

Absolute contraindications for massage

Answer 8

-Tissue inflammation/malignancy
-Circulatory disorders
-Abnormal sensations
-Skin disorders
-Recent, unhealed scars & open wounds
-Burns
-recent fractures
-Acute inflammation of joint & tissue
-DVT
-Advanced osteoporosis

Question 9

Relative contraindications for massage

Answer 9

• Older people and children
  -Fragile skin
  -Early stages of osteoporosis
  -Adults w/ learning and/or physical disabilities
  -People recovering from infections and bone fracture

Question 10

How to massage ticklish patients

Answer 10

-Always put hands in very firm contact and never lift off
-No one hand component (ex. fingers)
-Light works tickle, perform at max depth as tolerated

Question 11

What are the basic types of soft tissue mobilization?

Answer 11

-Effleurage
-Stroking
-Petrissage
-Strumming
-Skin rolling
-Cross friction massage

Question 12

What is effleurage? Goal?

Answer 12

-Light, gentle brushing on muscle and soft tissue from distal to proximal
-Pressure is applied using palms of hand in continuous stroke
-Goal: Relaxation, increased venous and lymphatic drainage

Question 13

What is stroking? Goal?

Answer 13

-Long, superficial stroke applied along the length of tissue; Deeper than effleurage
-Goal: Relaxation

Question 14

What is petrissage? Goal?

Answer 14

-Compression of soft tissue
-Kneading, rolling
-Goal: release areas of muscle fibrosis and to “milk” muscle of waste product due to trauma or inactivity

Question 15

What is strumming?

Answer 15

-Involves repeated rhythmic deformations of a muscle belly in strumming fashion

Question 16

What is cross friction massage? Goal?

Answer 16

-Applied to muscle, tendon, tendon sheaths, ligaments
-Rate of 2-3 cycles/second in rhythmic manner, pressure gradually increases, 3-5 minutes
-Goal: Increase mobility and extensibility of tissues prevent and treat inflammatory scar tissue

Question 17

What is skin rolling?

Answer 17

-Gather tissue between thumb and index and middle finger and roll tissue in continuous pattern
-Goal: To assist with movement of superficial layers and superficial fascia

Question 18

What is Graston or IASTM?

Answer 18

-Stainless steel tool to treat scar tissue
-A type of IASTM
-Faster rehab
-Requires additional training

Question 19

What does IASTM stand for?

Answer 19

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Question 20

What is Strain Counterstrain? Uses?

Answer 20

-Uses passive positioning to relieve muscle, joint, and tissue tightness
-Involves identifying pain points and holding the tissue in place for 90 secs-3 min to relax the soft tissue, which reduces pain and stiffness

Question 21

Manual lymphatic drainage use

Answer 21

-Manual hand movements that follow anatomical lymph pathways to move fluid and improve circulation
-Treats headaches, migraines, swollen legs, and more

Question 22

What is trigger point/myofascial release? Goal?

Answer 22

-Soft tissue manual therapy for treatment of chronic muscular pain and immobility
-Focuses on reducing pain by easing tension and tightness in specified areas of pain

Question 23

What does cupping entail? Purpose?

Answer 23

-Suction creates negative pressure environment allowing for myofascial decompression
-Muscle fibers lifted and draws blood to the area