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Rood’s Techniques
Rood’s Techniques are based on known physiological facts concerning the way the nervous system and muscular system interact with one another. They consist of a number modalities aimed at either sedating or stimulating muscular tissue and the corresponding nerves. Rood’s techniques seek to reduce spasticity or muscle spasm, stimulate flaccid muscles, increase soft tissue ranges, to help provoke normal postural reactions, and to improve or prevent a decline in gross motor functions.
Stimulating Rood’s techniques include the following:
- Quick Stretch – the massage therapist rapidly taps over the muscle belly or tendons with or without active participation of the patient
- Resistance – the massage therapist applies isometric or isotonic resistance to a patients given movement
- Approximation or Compression – the massage therapist applies pressure to a correctly aligned joint to facilitate extension
- Traction or Distraction – the massage therapist applies a slow distraction force to facilitate flexion
- Vibration – the massage therapist applies vibrations from the most distal to proximal portion of the intended muscle group
- Brushing – the massage therapist applies brisk cutaneous brushing from the most distal to proximal portion of the intended muscle group
Sedating Rood’s techniques include the following:
- Prolonged Stretch – the massage therapist applies firm pressure and gradual stretch to a tendon or deep muscle and holds it for approximately 5 minutes
- Brushing – the massage therapist applies smooth cutaneous brushing from the most proximal to distal portion of the intended muscle group
- Neutral Warmth – the massage therapist applies a source of constant, gentle heat
- Slow Stroking – the massage therapist applies slow, even, rhythmic stroking from the most proximal to distal portion of the intended muscle group
While Rood’s Techniques are specifically indicated for the treatment for neurological disorders they may also be successful in the therapeutic treatment of a number of different conditions including Arthritis, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Muscle Spasms.
Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) are used to treat somatic dysfunctions, to increase ranges of motion and muscle tone, and to help reduce pain. During MET, the patient’s muscles are actively used in a specific direction from a precisely controlled position against the therapist’s counterforce. MET is a direct and active technique where the patient’s participation is required for maximal effect. As the patient contracts a muscle against counterforce, it results in a direct inhibition of the agonist muscles while a reciprocal inhibition occurs at the antagonist muscles. As the patient relaxes, both groups of muscles also relax and this allows the joint to be moved through further ranges of motion.
Historically, MET is an osteopathic approach to treating tissue dysfunction. Muscle Energy is beneficial in treating reduced ranges of motion & pain associated with Sprains, Strains, Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Scoliosis, Spinal Curvature including Hyperkyphosis and Hyperlordosis, up-slips or rotation of the hip, sacral torsiona, and many other conditions!
Trigger Point Release (TPR)
For more information on Trigger Points and our understanding of them, please click here.
Myofascial Release (MFR)
Myofascial Release is beneficial for treating symptoms associated with Stress, Musculoskeletal Immobility and Pain, Circulation Restrictions, Post-Surgical or other Scar Tissue.
Isolated Stretching
Active Isolated Stretching are techniques where the patient is asked to actively participate in the treatment. The therapist may hold or pin a specific muscle and ask the patient to move through a precise range of motion, or the therapist may apply a force in a precise direction and ask the patient to resist the movement.
Passive Isolated Stretching are techniques where the patient is passive while therapist may pin or hold a specific tissue or muscle group with or without moving the surrounding tissues and joints through specific ranges of motion. Passive Isolated Release may also be applied to tendons and fibrous bands of fascia (like the IT band) using techniques known as C-bowing or S-bowing. The tendons are held in for a prolonged time in a C or S shape in order to activate the stretch reflex.
Active & Passive Isolated Stretching Techniques are beneficial in treating reduced ranges of motion & pain associated with hyptertoned tissues as symptoms of Sprains, Strains, Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Scoliosis, Spinal Curvature including Hyperkyphosis and Hyperlordosis, and many other conditions!
Joint Mobilizations
Joint Mobilization techniques involve bringing the joint into a specific position and applying oscillations or sustained distractions and glides of various grades. Massage Therapists may perform all grades of Joint Mobilization with the exception High Velocity Thrusts (otherwise known as Chiropractic Adjustments), which are reserved for Chiropractors.
Joint Mobilizations are used to modulate pain and treat joint dysfunctions that lead to reduced ranges of motion. Conditions that may benefit from Joint Mobilizations include Frozen Shoulder, Joint Effusions, Scared Joint Capsules, Postural Dysfunction and Joint Stiffness causing Reduced Ranges of Motion.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)
The lymphatic system is a part of the circulatory system that carries a clear fluid (called lymph) containing blood cells from the tissues back into the venous system. Lymphatic organs and lymph nodes (including the spleen, thymus and bone marrow) are compromised of lymphatic tissue and contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) and other support cells that play an important role in the immune system and function.
MLD techniques can be used by fully certified therapists to treat lymphedema and pathologies. It is one of my goals to continue my manual lymph drainage post-graduate education in order to eventually treat various conditions and pathologies using these techniques.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the use of water (hot, cold, steam or ice) to relieve discomfort and promote physical well being. At Aspect Health & Registered Massage Therapy, we use a number of hydrotherapy tools and techniques to help us achieve our goals. From the most basic of tools, such as ice and iced clothes used to help reduce inflammation and pain or perhaps used preemptively after some deeper more intense massage treatments, to the use of a high caliber jade stone infrared table warmer, paraffin wax applications and an infrared sauna used to help reduce muscle tension, decrease sympathetic nervous system firing, and reduce pain & stress, we use some of the most advanced forms of hydrotherapy throughout our treatment plan to help ensure you are receiving the most optimal care in all aspects of your massage therapy treatment.
While the infrared table warmer and/or ice applications may be included in all treatments free of charge, additional fees are applicable for pre-treatment sauna use and/or in-treatment paraffin wax applications. Please see our booking page for more details.