Question

Your patient is road cyclist who has completed a 180 km race the previous day and your main objective is to maximise both venous and lymphatic return. Which technique would be the best to achieve those objectives at the quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius of both legs?

a) Effleurage

b) Circular palmar kneading

c) Thumb kneading

d) Deep tissue massage

Your patient is a runner who has bilateral stiffness of the calf muscles and wants to improve the length of gastrocnemius and soleus for the stretches that they do prior to training. Which technique would be the best to achieve those objectives?

a) Effleurage

b) Circular palmar kneading

c) Thumb kneading

d) Deep tissue massage

Your patient is a swimmer, about to commence a session with sprint intervals within the next 20 min. Their aim is to feel physically and mentally prepared for maximal exertion with upper limb muscles, particularly the latissimus dorsi. Which technique would be the best to achieve those objectives?

a) Effleurage

b) Circular palmar kneading

c) Thumb kneading

d) Deep tissue massage

Your patient has a haematoma on the lateral side of their foot as a result of an ankle sprain 4 days ago, with swelling around the malleoli and dorsum of the foot. To manage the swelling the best sequence of techniques would be.

a) Long leg effleurage, circular palmar kneading at thigh and calf, effleurage, thumb kneading and effleurage in around the foot and ankle as limited by pain.

b) Long leg effleurage, deep tissue massage at the gastrocnemius, effleurage, but avoid any other contact at the foot and ankle.

c) Long leg effleurage, thumb kneading at tibialis posterior muscle, then thumb kneading at the foot and ankle.

d) Advise patient on elevation of the limb and don’t apply any massage techniques as the injury is too acute.

Answer 1

1) a) Effleurage

Explanation: Effleurage is the best technique to increase venous return and lymphatic return.

2) b) circular palmer kneading

Explanation: circular Palmar kneading reduce the stiffness of calf muscles by breaking the adhesions mobilizes the deep tissues. Thumb kneading is not used because it is used in small areas like face.

3) d) deep tissue massage

Explanation: Deep tissue massage increases the blood flow to the muscles and it also relaxes the patient. It helps in both physically and mentally preparing the swimmer.

4) d) Advise the patient on elevation of the limb and don't apply any massage techniques as the injury is too acute.

Explanation: Ankle sprain with 4 days history is an acute condition in which massage techniques are contraindicated.