Introduction
Manual techniques facilitate relaxation, correct movement dysfunction, and directly connect the patient/client with their health care provider. Therapeutic touch through massage can be used to reduce signs and symptoms of soft tissue injury, demonstrate empathy, and build trust. In this lesson, we will focus on professionalism and safety with introductory manual techniques and introduce massage approaches for pain reduction and soft tissue repair.
Learning Objectives
1. Describe indications, precautions, contraindications, primary effects, and anticipated outcomes of manual therapy, massage, joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques, myofascial trigger point
2. Describe the correct application of manual techniques used to mobilize soft tissue
3. Classify descriptions of massage stroke techniques
4. Describe the purpose and types of lubricant used in massage
5. Identify rationale and methods of facilitating positioning for soft tissue mobilization (bolsters, pillows, towels, etc)
6. Compare and contrast recreational vs. therapeutic massage