Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal when assessing somatic dysfunction?
What is the primary goal when assessing somatic dysfunction?
What is a contraindication for the strain counterstrain technique?
What is a contraindication for the strain counterstrain technique?
When treating multiple tender points, which point should be treated first?
When treating multiple tender points, which point should be treated first?
What is a benefit of the strain counterstrain technique?
What is a benefit of the strain counterstrain technique?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an indication for the strain counterstrain technique?
What is an indication for the strain counterstrain technique?
Signup and view all the answers
When treating multiple tender points in a row, which point should be treated first?
When treating multiple tender points in a row, which point should be treated first?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a principle of the strain counterstrain technique?
What is a principle of the strain counterstrain technique?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the ideal approach to palpating tissue?
What is the ideal approach to palpating tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a benefit of the strain counterstrain technique in terms of joint mobility?
What is a benefit of the strain counterstrain technique in terms of joint mobility?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the visual indicator of extreme sensitivity in a patient?
What is the visual indicator of extreme sensitivity in a patient?
Signup and view all the answers
What is somatic dysfunction defined as?
What is somatic dysfunction defined as?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the fascial system?
What is the primary function of the fascial system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the goal of the mechanism of SCS?
What is the goal of the mechanism of SCS?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the result of force producing injury?
What is the result of force producing injury?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a tender point viewed as in the fascial system?
What is a tender point viewed as in the fascial system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a consequence of unaddressed somatic dysfunction?
What is a consequence of unaddressed somatic dysfunction?
Signup and view all the answers
When treating anterior tender points, what position is typically used?
When treating anterior tender points, what position is typically used?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of patients typically experience increased soreness after treatment?
What percentage of patients typically experience increased soreness after treatment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of palpation in the muscular release procedure?
What is the primary purpose of palpation in the muscular release procedure?
Signup and view all the answers
When treating tender points on or near the midline, what type of motion is typically used?
When treating tender points on or near the midline, what type of motion is typically used?
Signup and view all the answers
How long should the release position be held during the muscular release procedure?
How long should the release position be held during the muscular release procedure?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary goal of the muscular release procedure?
What is the primary goal of the muscular release procedure?
Signup and view all the answers
What can be used to relieve post-treatment soreness?
What can be used to relieve post-treatment soreness?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of reassessing the target areas after treatment?
What is the purpose of reassessing the target areas after treatment?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Strain Counterstrain Effect
- Normalizes muscle hypertonicity and fascial tension
- Improves circulation, reduces swelling, and enhances joint mobility
- Decreases pain, increases muscle strength, and facilitates tissue regeneration, growth, and repair
Indications
- Acute, subacute, and chronic pain
- Central sensitization syndrome
- Neuropathic pain
- Somatic referred pain
- Post-concussive syndrome
- Muscle spasm
- Headache
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Cumulative trauma
- Fibromyalgia
- Visceral dysfunction
- Hypoperfusion
Contraindications and Precautions
- Open wounds
- Sutures
- Healing fractures
- Hematoma
- Skin hypersensitivity
- Systemic or localized infection
- Malignancy
- Aneurysm
- Acute rheumatoid arthritis
Assessment of Somatic Dysfunction
- Based on asymmetry, range of motion, and ARTT (tissue texture changes, tenderness)
Principles of Strain Counterstrain
- Treat most severe tender point first
- Treat more proximal or medial tender point before those that are more distal or lateral
- Treat several areas of extremely sensitive tender points, focusing on the area with the greatest number of tender points
- Treat several equally sensitive tender points in a row, starting with the middle point
- Use gentle but firm pressure to palpate through layers of tissue
Severity of Tenderness
- Extremely sensitive: visual jump sign present and patient expresses extreme sensitivity
- Very sensitive: very tender but no jump sign
- Moderately sensitive: patient states that the point is tender to touch but does not flinch or jump away
- No tenderness
Somatic Dysfunction
- Defined as a disturbance in the sensory or proprioceptive system that results in spinal segmental tissue facilitation and inhibition
- Facilitated segment: overload of a segment of the spinal cord with excessive afferent impulse
Fascial System
- A broad network that contains, supports, and connects tissues throughout the body
- A continuous network that surrounds and penetrates all structures of the body
- Stress on this system from injury can result in fascial tension
- Tender point is viewed as a point of constriction within this network
Mechanism of SCS
- Indirect and passive method
- Severely tender points are located and palpated to guide the position of comfort
- Produces optimum relaxation of involved tissues, allowing for optimal relaxation and reducing inappropriate proprioceptive activities
- Decreases muscle tension, fascial tension, and joint hypomobility
- Improves functional range of motion and decreases pain
Proprioceptive and Nociceptor Response
- Force that produces injury results in protective muscle spasm, increased resting tone, and imbalance between agonist/antagonist
- Chemical mediators present during injury produce muscle guarding reactions and somatic dysfunction
Techniques of Strain Counterstrain
- Determine involved motor units using palpation, motion testing, and evaluation tools
- Palpate with gentle pressure in a neutral position to determine point tenderness or tissue restriction
- Release pressure, maintaining contact, and take the patient into the release position
- Hold the release position for 90 seconds
- Return the patient to a neutral resting position slowly and passively with support
- Reassess the target areas for point tenderness and changes in tone
Immediate Post-Treatment Response
- Patient feels relaxation in the treated area and often finds more ease and less discomfort during motion
- Approximately 40% of patients experience increased soreness in the next 24 to 48 hours
- Post-treatment soreness can be relieved by gentle exercises and consuming water to assist the body in eliminating accumulated metabolites
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz covers the effects of the Strain Counterstrain technique, a manual therapy approach that normalizes muscle hypertonicity, fascial tension, and improves circulation, among other benefits. It's indicated for various pain conditions, including acute, subacute, and chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and post-concussive syndrome.
