Hands On Treatment

Outlined below are some of the techniques used in hands- on treatment

Massage

Muscles are stimulated to contract or relax via nerve cells. There is a constant monitoring and protective function of specialised nerve receptors. These nerve receptors receive and transmit information regarding muscle tension static tone degree of stretch joint position and speed of movement. It is unusual to encounter soft tissue dysfunction without proprioceptive hyperactivity the result of this hyperactivity is tense of spastic muscles accompanied by protective activity by opposing groups of muscles. Simply a tight muscle area results in or from weakened muscles areas and vice versa.
When working with the neuromuscular mechanism the basic premise is to substitute different neurologic signal stimulation through massage to result muscle length through lengthening and stretching muscles and connective tissue, and to re-educate the muscles involved.

Here are some benefits associated with massage:

Therapeutic Principles Employed

Petrissage:

The creation of a pump like action to effect the circulation and nervous system, it regulates muscle tone and loosens and stretches the underlying tissues.

Techniques involve, picking up, wringing, kneading, rolling and shaking the tissues each having different stimulating effects.

Friction

This is a more intense application of pressure to the affected area using the thumb or fingers. Pressure is initially applied lightly and then progressively gets deeper. This technique is not used as part of a relaxing massage or used on acute injuries. One of the basic principles of healing is that tissue must not be irritated while healing, but nevertheless it still needs stress and stimulation to breaking down adhesions and noxious chemicals built up in tissues. Friction achieves this aim and also stimulates circulation to problem areas thus promoting healing.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are palpable, irritable nodules within muscle fibers causing localised or "referred" pain. Referred pain patterns in muscles follow specific nerve pathways and have been readily mapped to allow for identification of the causative pain factor. Treatment of these nodules involves friction and ischemic compression (compression of the trigger point cessating blood flow in the area, causing the circulation to increase overall). When present in muscles there is often pain and weakness in the associated structures.

Myofascial Treatment

Myofascial release refers to a technique for stretching fascia and releasing bonds between fascia and other structures. Fascia is a continuous band of connective tissue covering muscles, organs and the majority of skeletal structures. Like muscle, fascia can become distorted by overuse and trauma and can cause pain and limited range of motion. The goal of myofascial release is to release fascial restriction and restore tissue health using hands on engagement of the fascia and encouraging a stretch to the fibers.

Muscle Energy Techniques

Muscle Energy Technique involves using muscle contraction to aid and initiate a relaxation within the muscle. It usually entails the use of a second party (the therapist) to resist the muscle contraction producing a static resistance. Immediately after this contraction the muscle is temporarily fooled into stretching further than normal. This is a painless and often relaxing technique with great benefits.

Passive Range of Movement

Here the Therapist will perform movement of the joint passively, i.e. without aid from the patient; because of the nature of the exercise it can have great therapeutic effects on acute or guarded tissues. Other benefits also exist: