Techniques & Modalities Flashcards

A hyperirritable spot within a taut band of skeletal muscle that produces referred pain when pressed is called a:

Answer: Trigger point

Travell and Simons defined trigger points as hyperirritable nodules in taut bands that refer pain.

When using ischemic compression on an active trigger point, the therapist should typically:

Answer: Hold sustained pressure until the tissue softens or the referred pain diminishes

Sustained pressure is held until a release is felt or the client reports decreased sensation, often within about 30-90 seconds.

Which description best fits manual lymphatic drainage (Vodder method)?

Answer: Very light, slow, rhythmic strokes that gently stretch the skin

Lymphatic capillaries lie superficially, so MLD uses very light pressure that only stretches the skin.

Myofascial release typically requires holding a sustained, low-load stretch for at least how long to allow fascial release?

Answer: 90-120 seconds

Fascia responds slowly, so sustained pressure of about 90-120 seconds or longer is used to achieve release.

Which modality is based on the idea that specific points on the feet, hands, and ears correspond to organs and areas of the body?

Answer: Reflexology

Reflexology, developed in the U.S. by Eunice Ingham, maps body regions onto the feet, hands, and ears.

In shiatsu, the specific pressure points along meridians are called:

Answer: Tsubo

Tsubo are the Japanese term for acupressure points worked in shiatsu.

Which modality is traditionally performed on a floor mat with the client fully clothed, using passive yoga-like stretches along energy lines called sen?

Answer: Thai massage

Traditional Thai massage uses compression and assisted stretching along sen lines with the client clothed on a mat.