TABLE 2: DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES USED IN STUDY OF MASSAGE FOR NECK PAIN TECHNIQUE* Application of cold Application of heat

MECHANICS OF STROKE TABLE 3: DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES USED IN STUDY OF MASSAGE FOR NECK PAIN

Application of cold and heat (vascular flush)

APR-ROM – resistive stretching: lengthening, contracting the agonist (includes contract – relax and ‘post isometric relax- ation’**)

APR-ROM – resistive stretching: lengthening the agonist, contracting the antagonist (‘reciprocal inhibition’**)

APR-ROM - resistive stretching: lengthening the agonist, contracting agonist and antagonist (contract relax antagonist relax)

Compression - pumping

Compression – static (origin – insertion technique; sutural releases; unwinding)

CS - listening and following the craniosacral rhythm

CS - still point

Directed breathing E - direction of energy (eg. holding with hands on or off the body; V-spread)

E - smoothing

F – cross-fibre criction (transverse friction)

F - direct pressure/static friction F - friction

F - gliding – deep (deep effleurage, longitudinal friction, stripping)

Local application of cold/ice (eg. compress, ice pack) over protected body part, often for 15 minutes or less. Includes ice massage

Local application of heat (eg. compress, poultice) over protected body part, often for 5 minutes or less

Alternating application of cold (eg. 3 minutes) with application of heat (eg. 1 minute)

Lengthen muscle until the first resistance barrier, then coach patient to voluntarily resist AGAINST the lengthening for 5-15 seconds. Allow the patient to relax for 5-15 seconds and then either repeat the resistance against the lengthening at the first barrier or lengthen the muscle until you reach the next resistance barrier and repeat the process. This process can be repeated a total of 2-4 times. You want to end with a stretch at the end range of motion

Lengthen muscle until the first resistance barrier, then coach patient to voluntarily lengthen the muscle against resistance for 5-15 seconds. As patient relaxes, take the muscle into a greater length- ening and repeat the process 2-4 times. End with a stretch at the end range of motion

A third type of resistive stretching that alternates contracting the agonist and contracting the antagonist through a series of barriers. End with a stretch at the end range of motion

Usually pumping the muscle (and surrounding fascial layer) against the bone – rhythm and force vary with the resistance of the soft tissues. Can also use light pumping to contact and move fluid through the lymph vessels toward the heart

Mechanically shortening a muscle or fascia or joint by pressing on it (origin – insertion technique). Can involve following the body's natural movement (eg. unwinding, direction of ease)

Hands meld with the client’s cranium (or sacrum) or other body area and massage therapist feels the movement of their hands

Monitor the craniosacral rhythm at the client’s cranium or sacrum or other body area and the movement of the craniosacral rhythm is resisted by compression or traction of the therapist’ hands (approximately a five pence worth or less of pressure)

Instructions on the length of inhalation and exhalation, often including instruction to relax while exhaling

Send positive, healing, balancing intent to a targeted area. May either be focused on a specific physiological intent or on nondirected good will. Many massage therapists send positive intent whenever they perform a massage, even when using clinically oriented techniques

Pass the hands over the patient’s body (without physical contact) moving toward their feet or towards their head. Imagine the person with an “aura” and try to smooth the energy of the aura so it is the same density and thickness throughout (can use a tool, eg. a feather)

A type of friction that involves moving the patient’s skin over the underlying tissue perpendicular to the muscle fibres

Presses or leans deeply into an area without moving the hands Pressing into the skin and moving it over the underlying tissues.

APPLICATION NOTES (E.G, ANATOMIC LOCATIONS, CONDITIONS, PRESSURE)

Used over areas of acute inflammation, pain or stiffness. Generally not used over areas of chronic inflammation.

Used for chronic inflammation. Not used over areas of acute inflammation.

Used for subacute inflammation.

Recommended for subacute and chronic conditions. May be used for acute conditions with mild resistance.

Used in acute conditions. If contracting the agonist is painful, use this technique because the antagonist is the one doing the contractions.

Recommended for subacute and chronic conditions. May be used for acute conditions with mild resistance

Generally used over muscles and bone. Avoid the face and kid- ney. Can also be used for fluid movement with a light touch.

Everywhere. In craniosacral therapy, involves very light traction or compression (approximately a five pence worth or less of pressure) applied in a specific direction determined by the suture between the relevant cranial bones.

Everywhere Everywhere

Used in conjunction with manual or manipulative techniques. Everywhere

Everywhere

Used in localised areas only, most commonly musculotendinous junctions, tinoperiosteal junction, muscle belly and tendons. Not appropriate for face, use caution if over acute inflammation or tender areas.

Nearly everywhere, including trigger points, except the face and areas of acute inflammation. Use caution on tender areas.

Fingers do not glide (as in

effleurage) or grasp (as in petrissage). Motions can be circular (ellipsoidal) or in the same direction as the muscle fibres (longitudinal)

A type of friction that involves pressing into the skin and moving it over the underlying tissues. Motion follows the direction of the muscle fibres

Everywhere. Use caution on the face and tender areas. Everywhere. Use caution on the face.

EXAMPLE STYLES WHERE USED Spa massage; sports massage Spa massage; sports massage

Neuromuscular therapy; sports massage; spa massage

Muscle energy technique (MET); proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)

MET; PNF MET; PNF

Joint mobilisation; myofascial release; tuina

Craniosacral; myofascial release; sports massage

Craniosacral Craniosacral

Acupressure; MET; Shiatsu; Swedish Craniosacral; Reiki; polarity

Reiki; Polarity; Therapeutic Touch

Neuromuscular therapy; Cyriax f riction

Acupressure; neuromuscular therapy; Shiatsu; Swedish

Neuromuscular therapy; Swedish; Tuina Myofascial release; sports massage;

MANUAL THERAPY

18

www.sportex.net