Unit 6 Flashcards
What does massage therapy target for manipulation?
Fascia of the human body
Where can pressure from massage therapy be applied to?
Muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, disks
neural, blood and lymph, visceral organs and glands
What can Fascial entrapment produce in the human body?
believed to cause entrapment of neural structure, producing a wide range of symptoms
What can massage be used to accomplish?
manipulating the connective tissues, affecting the fascia by altering it’s ground substance, elongating shortened tissues, and improving the biochemical environment of the cells
What is the essential theory of massage therapy? (hint: also known as the rule of there artery)
the tissues of the body will operate at optimum levels when arterial, venous and lymph supply are unimpeded.
What happens when arterial, venous, or lymph flow becomes impeded in massage therapy? How does massage therapy help this?
muscle tightness and changes in the nearby skin and fascia will happen, resulting in pain.
Massage therapy helps reestablish proper fluid dynamics in the body at the skin, muscle and fascia
What are some contraindications to massage therapy?
skin infections melanoma bleeding acute inflammation thrombophlebitis atherosclerosis varicose veins immunocompromised states
What parts of the body must massage therapy be careful around?
carotid artery superclavicular fossa posterior knee femoral triangle abdominal cavity
How are the techniques of massage generally applied?
applied in the direction of the heart to stimulate increased venous and lymphatic drainage. Muscles are addressed in groups with only one being treated before advancing to the next one
How is massage usually performed?
Massage is usually performed with a powder, oil or other type of lubricant to the skin
The patient lies prone, supine or laterally on a table or seated in a chair
What is important during the massage therapy?
Verbal communication between the therapist and patient as the practitioner will use the cues given from the patient as a guide during treatment
What are the visceral effects from massage?
General vasoactivity in somatic tissues and regulated by the ANS
blood pressure and heart rate usually decrease and observed
What are the five techniques of the swedish massage?
All are of a passive variety: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, vibration.
How can variation of massage techniques be used for a different outcome?
effleurage applied at a moderate pace with lubrication increases blood flow and lymphatic drainage
effleurage applied with no lubrication at a very slow pace produces a shearing force that focuses on changing the ground substance of the fascia
describe effleurage massage technique
most frequently used to begin a treatment
a gliding stroke applied with light pressure
used to modulate arterial supply and venous and lymphatic drainage
pressure variable: very light affects the skins; deeper affects superficial fascia, deepest the deep fascia and so on
thumbs, finger or entire palm used
also used at the beginning to diagnosis problem areas
Long strokes are often used at the end especially for sleep
Describe petrissage massage technique
more aggressive than effleurage
uses thumb and fingers to lift and milk underlying fascia in a kneading motion
used to increase venous and lymphatic drainage of the muscle and to break up adhesions
can be considered direct or indirect depending on motion
describe friction massage technique
most deeply applied massage technique
tips of fingers or thumbs, or heel of hand if fatigued or deeper pressure needed used in circular and back and fourth motion.
used when production of heat desired, adhesions are present, or when target is too deep for petrissage
direction of applied technique determines if it is direct or indirect
describe tapotement massage technique
involves rapid, repeated blows of varying strength
uses sides or palms of hands, hands cupped or fists
occasionally, rapid pinching is done
used to stimulate arterial circulation to the area
can also be used to inhibit reflexive spasms
is not applied over the areas of the kidneys or on the chest, any recent incisions or areas of inflammation
describe the vibration massage technique
one of the most difficult techniques to master
modern form employs a mechanical vibrator
when hands used, a light, rhythmic, quivering effect is used
brisk snapping across areas such as the erector spine may also be considered vibration, similar to strumming a guitar string
Where can massage be practiced?
Massage is usually practised in private clinics and spas, but can also be practised by nurses more informally such as by giving a patient a back rub
How can massage differ? (Stimulating or sedating)
Can be both stimulating and sedating; techniques can be vigorous or gentle
What limbs can massage therapists use?
their hands, feet, elbows, and knees to exert friction and pressure. Alternately, they may use instruments or machines.
Describe the massage chair
usually includes a face rest or head cradle so that clients will be relatively straight while face down.
What are other elements of a massage session? What does music accomplish?
may include environmental factors such as lighting, a soundproof room, and particular colour of the room.
Music helps the client relax and can help the therapist maintain a rhythm with the massage movement.
