Massage & Bodywork

MAY | JUNE 2023

Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1496639

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 27 of 100

A detailed client history and comprehensive physical examination remain the most effective way to evaluate myofascial pain problems. No specific assessment test is considered the gold standard for identifying the specific source of pain in the low back. Massage treatment for myofascial pain has a significant advantage—hands-on therapy allows you to assess changes in the tissue and adapt throughout the treatment. Treatments generally begin with broad gliding applications or superficial myofascial-type approaches. These techniques promote general tissue relaxation and encourage local tissue f luid movement. After the initial broad gliding techniques, using a more specific and focused treatment strategy with a small contact surface, such as the fingertip, knuckle, or thumb, is often helpful. The thumbs are an excellent simultaneous palpation and treatment tool. Unfortunately, doing too much work with the thumbs can lead to pain and overuse injury for the therapist. Pressure tools are an excellent substitute for the thumbs because they can still deliver that small contact surface pressure without wear and tear on the joints. Keeping one thumb or finger next to the pressure tool will allow you to feel how the tissues respond so you can adjust accordingly (Image 3). Working just up to the pain/pleasure threshold is generally safe and preferred when working on hypertonic muscles. Clients usually enjoy the treatment, but if it becomes too painful, the therapist should reduce the pressure or move to another location. The therapist can focus on specific areas or trigger points in the hypertonic muscles to help release the tension. Stretching and range-of-motion techniques are also essential to restore movement, improve muscle function, and increase range of motion, further reducing muscular hypertonicity. CONCLUSION Massage therapy can play a valuable role in treating lumbar disc pathology and myofascial back pain. Massage therapy is not a substitute for medical treatment, and individuals with severe or bilateral neurological symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. Massage therapy should not aggravate disc herniation symptoms, and one should use caution when performing techniques close to the spine. Techniques that put anteriorly directed pressure on the spine could move vertebrae in a way that aggravates nerve root compression, so pay attention to changing symptoms. As a massage therapist, it is important to thoroughly understand the underlying anatomy and pathology of these conditions and use appropriate massage techniques to help address them. By incorporating massage therapy into a comprehensive treatment plan, massage therapists can help clients achieve improved function, reduced pain, and a better quality of life. Whitney Lowe is the developer and instructor of one of the profession's most popular orthopedic massage training programs. His text and programs have been used by professionals and schools for almost 30 years. Learn more at academyofclinicalmassage.com. L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 25 TECHNIQUE Use pressure tools as a substitute for intensive work with the thumb. 3

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Massage & Bodywork - MAY | JUNE 2023