What are the three different stretching techniques?
active inhibition techniques, passive stretching, passive joint mobilizations
What is the purpose of stretching?
Stretching lengthens soft tissue and as a result increases range of motion in an area of restriction.
What tissue does active inhibition technique affect?
Mostly affects contractile tissue
What tissue does passive stretching affect?
both contractile and non-contractile tissue are lengthened
What tissue does passive joint mobilization affect?
soft tissue crossing the joint and the joint capsule itself
What is the affect of hold-relax
has the effect of lengthening soft tissue when pain and restricted ROM are present
How do you do hold-relax?
maximal contraction; isometric
* therapist: moves target muscles to pain-free barrier
* client: isometric, maximal contraction of target muscle for 5-10 sec
* client: full relaxation at the barrier (therapist holds it at the barrier)
* therapist: passively moves muscle to new pain-free barrier
* repeat until desired length achieved
How do you do contract-relax?
- maximal contraction; minimal isotonic, concentric movement
- therapist: moves target muscles to pain-free barrier
- client: maximal contraction of target muscle with minimal concentric movement (intent to move)
- hold 5-10 sec
- client: full relaxation at the barrier (therapist holds it at the barrier)
- therapist: passively moves target muscles to new barrier
- repeat until desired length achieved
What is the affect of contract-relax?
the effect of lengthening soft tissue when no pain is present
What is the affect of PIR (post-isometric relaxation)?
the effect of lengthening soft tissue, decreasing muscle tone, decreasing symptoms of trigger points, and specifically aligning direction of force of individual muscle fibres
How do you do PIR?
- minimal contraction; isometric; eye movement; breathing
- therapist: moves target muscle to pain-free barrier
- client: isometric, minimal contraction of target muscle while inhaling 5-10 sec
- client: full relaxation at the barrier while exhaling with eye movement (therapist holds it at the
barrier) - therapist: passively moves muscles to new barrier
- repeat until desired length achieved
What is the affect of agonist contraction?
the muscle opposite to the muscle in spasm contracts
Method one: has the effect of reducing muscle spasm.
Method two: has the effect of lengthening restricted soft tissue when pain or spasm are present
How do you do agonist contraction?
Method one: * maximal contraction; client contracts; therapist gives instructions only
* client: maximal, isotonic contraction of tibialis anterior (and other ankle dorsiflexors); 5-10 sec
Method two: * submaximal contraction; isotonic or isometric, concentric
* therapist: moves target muscle (hamstrings) to pain-free barrier
* client: isotonic or isometric, minimal concentric contraction of rectus femoris (and other hip flexors) 5-10 sec
* method 2 can be isotonic or isometric during the resisted contraction.
How is a passive stretch performed?
- tissue prepared before the passive stretch with: active free movement, active inhibition technique, heat, or other massage technique to warm up the tissue
- client: relaxes target muscle
- therapist: controls direction, duration, force and speed
- therapist: apply slowly and hold for 15-30 sec, repeat several times
- therapist: stretch applied beyond resting length or into restricted range to increase available range
- effects: lengthens contractile and noncontractile soft tissue
What is isometric contraction?
This is a muscular contraction in which there is no visible joint movement.
Purpose of resistance exercises?
increase a muscle’s strength, endurance, and overall physical function
What is the affect of isometric contraction?
The effects of isometric exercises are to maintain muscle strength when a joint is unstable or immobilized and in the early stages of healing when the tissue is fragile
What is isotonic contraction?
This is a muscular contraction in which there is visible joint movement. There are two types of isotonic contractions. These are
* concentric movements that occur as a muscle shortens against resistance
* eccentric movements that occur as a muscle lengthens against resistance
