What’s the minimum amount of time contact should be sustained, per location, with static contact?
10 seconds (unless using for cueing in teaching diaphragmatic breathing)
What are the effects of static contact?
Reflex Effects
- generalized relaxation/sedation
- reduced anxiety
- reduced perception of pain/analgesia
- decreased local resting muscle tension or neuromuscular tone
- increased feeling of well-being
What are the effects of soothing stroking?
Reflex Effects
- decreases sympathetic nervous system activity resulting in relaxation
- decreases perception of pain
- reduces muscle resting tension
- increases peristalsis when performed over abdomen or low back
- promotes feeling of well-being and being cared for
What are the effects of stimulating stroking?
Reflex effects
-increases sympathetic nervous system activity resulting in mild stimulation, a “pick-up” effect
What’s the minimum amount of time vibrations should be performed?
30 seconds
What are the effects of fine vibrations?
Reflex Effects
- decreases sympathetic nervous system response (especially when applied over neck and sacrum)
- general soothing effects on musculature, viscera
- stimulates peristalsis and therefor reduces flatulence (when performed over he abdomen)
Mechanical Effects
- Stimulates local circulation (stimulates lymph nodes and lymphatic drainage)
- minimal effects below the surface of the skin
What are indications of use for fine vibrations?
- pain (relief with 5-40 minutes of application)
- circulatory congestino
- muscle spasm
- atonic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence
What are the effects of course vibrations?
Reflex Effects
- mild stimulating effects to musculature, viscera
- greater stimulating effect on peristalsis (when applied over the abdomen)
Mechanical Effects
- possible loosening of mucus (when strongly applied over lungs)
- stimulation of local lymphatic circulation
What are indications of use for course vibrations?
- when mild stimulating effects are desired generally or locally (e.g. hypotonic muscles, flaccid paralysis when used cautiously)
- respiratory congestion
- atonic constipation
When performing Effleurage, which direction is pressure always applied?
Centripetally (towards the heart)
What are the effects of Effleurage?
Reflex Effects
- generalized relaxation/sedation if performed at a slow rate
- generalized stimulation if the technique is performed at a faster rate
- decreased perception of pain
Mechanical Effects
- increases venous circulation, and indirectly increases arterial circulation (which provides fuel for increased cellular and therefore organic function)
- increases lymphatic return, if performed superficially
What are indications for use of Effleurage?
- conditions of over-stimulation (e.g. muscular tension, anxiety, excitability, insomnia) where overall relaxation/sedation is desired
- pain
- to reduce swelling (by increasing lymph return) and increase circulation in conditions in which circulation is temporarily compromised (e.g. in cases of musculoskeletal injuries such as: sprain, strain, bursitis, contusions, dislocations, separations and fractures)
What are the superficial reflex techniques?
- stroking
- vibrations
What’s the superficial fluid technique?
effleurage
What’s the group of neuromuscular techniques called?
petrissage
What are types of petrissage?
- muscle squeezing
- wringing
- picking up/C-scooping
- kneading (palmar, fingertip, thumb, fist, knuckle, forearm)
What are the effects of Petrissage techniques?
Reflex Effects
- may be soothing or stimulating, depending on the application used, the location of its use, and the rate used
- decreases perception of pain
Mechanical Effects
- increases local circulation of blood and lymph fluid
- loosens and stretches muscle fibres
- may help to prevent and/or loosen adhesions
- improves connective tissue extensibility
- increases glandular activity of the skin
- may mechanically move intestinal contents when applied to the abdomen
What are indications for use of Petrissage techniques?
- increase perception of relaxation
- reduce perception of anxiety
- pain
- local edema
- most conditions of muscles, especially increased resting muscle tension and hypotonicity
- to increase reduced joint ROM
- adhesions, contracture, fibrosis
- constipation
What are the types of tapotement?
Light - pincement, tapping, point hacking
Medium - loose hacking, stiff hacking, clapping
Heavy - cupping, beating, pounding
How long must tapotement techniques be performed?
2 minutes
What are effects of tapotement techniques?
Reflex Effects
- vasoconstriction/vasolidation response
- increases/stimulates neuromuscular tone
- secondary responses may be sedative
- production of transient hyperstimulation, and may be analgesic if performed for long duration
- increases parasympNS response when applied lightly over sacrum
- affects various organs when applied to the back, usually increasing their activity and improving their function
Mechanical Effects
- increases local circulation and muscle temperature
- increases local metabolism
- increases glandular activity of the skin
- loosens mucus
- increases metabolism and gaseous exchange
- promotes expectoration and coughing
