Soft Tissue Techniques Flashcards
Aims of Massage, Trigger Point Release, Reciprocal Inhibition, Autogenic Inhibition and Contraindications & Precautions (29 cards)
What are the 5 aims of massage?
- Aims to increase blood flow
- Reduces muscular tension
- Aids lymphatic drainage
- Stimulate the pain-gate theory & opioid response
- Aids recovery
What are the 4 Local Contraindications?
- Skin infection
- Open wounds
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Fractures/ acute injury
What are 4 Total Contraindications of massage?
- Fever
- Bleeding disorders
- Night terrors
- Cauda Equina
What are 4 points from trigger point release?
- Motor plate ends create trigger points
- Sarcomere contracts and becomes overactive
- Focal tenderness occurs due to palpable nodules
- Fewer nutrients are delivered (O2, etc)
What are the considerations of Trigger Point usage? (3)
- Decision on the amount of time spent on massage techniques
- Specific needs will benefit athletes and improve performance in certain circumstances
- Trigger point palpation is used to find common areas of muscle tension
What are 3 reasons for Soft Tissue Release?
- Breaks down and mobilises scar tissue
- Improves Soft Tissue Extensibility
- Encourages positive alignment of collagen fibres during healing
What is the stretch-reflex structure? (4)
- When the muscle is stretched, it is stimulated
- Muscles send messages to the spinal cord via nerves
-Agonist contraction and Antagonist inhibition - Whilst one is inhibited, the other performs the opposing movement
What is autogenic inhibition? (2)
- When the tendon is under tension, it stimulates the Golgi Tendon organs, messages are sent to the spinal cord and then relayed to the muscle.
- This INHIBITS excessive tension being loaded on the muscle. Repeated static stretching increases ROM.
What is Post-isometric relaxation?
A Static stretching method leading to improved flexibility due to increased blood flow.
What is the method for Post-Isometric relaxation? (3)
- Contract the required muscle at the point of resistance.
- Ensure the resistance is held for 10 seconds
- Relax the muscle before contracting the muscle slightly further past its normal ROM.
What is the technique for post-facilitation stretching? (3)
- Place the muscle in the middle ROM to begin
- Ensure the muscle is contracted for 10 secs
- Rapidly stretch and relax the muscle before putting it back into its middle range and repeat.
What are the purposes of Effleurage? (3)
- Warm up and prepare tissue
- Promote venous and lymphatic return
- Assessment of muscle tone
When should you use Effleurage? (3)
- At the beginning of a massage, assess tissue
- Post massage to aid recovery
- To relax during/after rehab
What are the indications of effleurage? (2)
- Start and end of most massage sessions
- Stress and Anxiety reduction
What are the contraindications of Effleurage? (2)
- Severe or contagious skin conditions
- Blood clotting disorders
What are the benefits of Effleurage? (3)
- Reduce swelling
- Promotes waste removal and circulation
- Calms the nervous system and lowers muscle tension
What are the purposes of Petrissage? (3)
- Mobilise deeper muscle layers
- Aid circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Reduce tension & increase elasticity
When should you use Petrissage? (2)
- As part of a recovery massage (24-48hrs post-exercise)
- Mid/late-stage rehab to improve soft tissue function
What are the indications for petrissage? (3)
- Muscle fatigue/soreness post-exercise
- General muscle tightness or knots
- During rehab to improve blood flow
What are the contraindications for petrissage? (3)
- Acute injuries with swelling/bruising
- Severe vericose veins/ DVT
- Fragile skin/infections
What are the purposes of frictions? (3)
- To break down adhesions and scar tissue
- To stimulate collagen realignment in soft tissue
- To improve mobility in joints and tissues
When should Frictions be used? (2)
- Post-acute and chronic stages of soft tissue healing
- Before rehab exercises to improve mobility
What is the purposes of Tapotement (Percussion techniques) (3)
- To stimulate and invigorate muscles
- To increase local circulation and nerve responses
- To wake up the muscle tissue before activity
When should you use Tapotement techniques? (2)
- Pre-performance to activate muscles
- To reawaken dormant tissues
