W5 Connective tissue massage and Deep transverse frictions Flashcards
Loose connective tissue
- Contains many cells
- Loose arrangement of collagen and elastin fibres
- Viscous fluid matrix
- Surrounds blood vessels and provides support to internal organs
- Consistency of cotton wool that has been pulled apart
Dense regular connective tissue
- Collagen fibres densely packed
- Arranged in parallel fashion
- Found in ligaments and tendons
- Powerfully resistant to axially loaded tension forces but allow some stretch
Dense irregular connective tissue
- Dense woven network of collagenous fibres in viscous matrix
- Fewer elastic fibres
- Found in joint capsules, forms dermis of skin
- Provides strength, resistant to stretching forces
Fascia
Global name given to entire connective tissue framework
Fascia adhesions
- When muscles are tight and circulate is sluggish, fascia becomes dehydrated and sticky
- Layers may stick together or to muscles and skin
- Painful to stretch and they reinforce dysfunctional muscle patterns
- Following injury, fascia may also become stuck to scar tissue as it forms
What is connective tissue massage?
Manipulation and mobilisation of connective tissue to treat soft tissue dysfunction and injury
What does CTM do?
- Relieve chronic tension
- Promotes deep relaxation
- Enhances self-awareness
- Facilitates significant improvement in posture
CTM application
- No lubricant
- Lifting skin off underlying fascia and rolling or folding the skin in all directions
- Applying downwards pressure and horizontal drag
- Client may experience burning or puling sensation
Benefits of CTM
- Fascial adhesions are softened and connective tissue restrictions are reduced
- Reduced inflammation
- Reduced muscle and nerve pain
- Decreased fascial tension
- Soft tissue mobilisation
Contradictions to CTM
General:
- Severe soft tissue injury
- Open wounds
- Varicose veins
- Fragile or broken skin
- Fresh bruising
Specific
- Areas of the body where it is not effective
- If burning sensation is causing too much discomfort
- Applying too early over scars or wounds
What are deep transverse frictions?
Goal is to remodel or break up scar tissue. Specific separation and stretching of tissues through the application of deep and precise strokes applied to the injured site
What are DTF used for?
Ideal technique for scar tissue, formed where tendons, ligaments, muscles and connective tissues have become adhered together
Aims of DTF
- Traumatic hyperaemia to evacuate pain triggering metabolites
- Stimulates mechanoreceptors producing afferent impulses that trigger temporary analgesia
- Activates fibroblastic proliferation, responsible for the repair and regeneration of collagen
System of DTF
- Original injury - scar tissue forms poorly
- Apply DTF
- Injuries returned to inflammatory stage
- Rehabilitation of injured site begins again
- Adequate rehab to the tissues is applied ensuring strong and aligned scar tissue
Physiological effects of DTF
- Promote remodelling of adhesions and scar tissue
- Builds strong, mobile tissue
- Assist realignment of collagen fibres
- Encourages optimal repair
- Stimulates vasodilation
- Restores elasticity
- Breaks down old scar tissue
Application of DTF
- Thumbs and finger reinforce at 90 degree angle
- Controlled application working back and forth over isolated area
- Support the area being worked on, ligaments must be taut and muscles relaxed
- No lubricant
- 30 secs to 10 mins
- 1-2cm movement
- 2-3x per week
- After care rest and ice
Technique should only be used if…
- Scar tissue can be accurately identified
- Tissue can be placed under full stretch
- Benefit of the technique out ways the risks
Contradictions to DTF
- Acute injury/inflammation
- Fragile skin
- Hemophilia
- Hypersensitivity
- Applying too early in the recovery process
