Unit L

Therapy and Sports

Medicine

Objectives
2H12- Apply therapeutic skills for
rehabilitation and injury prevention
2H12.01- Demonstrate assistive and
therapeutic techniques
2H12.02- Analyze the therapeutic role of
massage therapy and sports medicine

Terminology
Abduction: to pull something, for example,
a muscle, away from the midpoint or midline
of the body or of a limb

 Adduction: to pull a leg or arm toward

the central line of the body or a toe or
finger toward the axis of a leg or arm

 Flexion: the bending of a limb or joint

 Extension: increasing the size or range

 Hyperextension: the movement of a

limb beyond its normal range

Rotation: a turning
motion like that of a
wheel around an axis
or a fixed point, or the
act or process of
turning in such a way

 Pronation:
turning a body
part downwardturning the
palms down.
Supination:
turning a body
part upward;
turn the palms
up.

 Inversion: turning a body part inward

Eversion: turning a body part outward

 Dorsiflexion: the bending back of a

hand or foot, or of the fingers or toes

Plantar Flexion: bending the sole of

the foot

Massage Therapy
Basics

Encourage the patient to understand the

potential source of healing in his/her own
consciousness.
1. It is a passive exercise that
relieves tension/pain.
2. Activates thicker tactile
receptors in skin.
3. Can affectively relieve pain.
4. Increases range of motion.
5. Reduces some types of edema.
6. Increases circulation.
7. Better lymphatic flow.
8. Improves conditioning of
scar tissue.
9. Improves health of the skin.

Psychological
Benefits of Massage
Therapy:

Relaxation

Stress relief
Sense of
increased
energy and
vitality

Massage Therapies
Effleurage
Used most
Involves gentle strokes, glide over skin
Often used during childbirth to cause
relaxation of the abdominal muscles.

Petrissage
Involves deeper massage where muscles
are lifted/ squeezed gently in a kneading/
rolling action.
Practiced on the back before any other parts
of the body.

Massage Therapies
Friction
Uses the fingertips, thumb, or heel of hand to make
small movements that press into muscles.
Used to massage deep into joint spaces and is
generally used for back rubs.
Useful around well-healed scar tissue to break down
adhesions between the skin and tissues beneath.

 Vibration
Can be accomplished by making fine,
tremulous movements with the fingers or by
using a mechanical device.

 Tapotement
uses a series of brisk blows of various types

Hacking
hold hands out, palms parallel, strike patients back
gently w/ backs of 3rd 4th and 5th fingertips
progressing from hips to shoulders, avoiding the
kidney area

Cupping- using
cupped hands to
strike the patients
back with one hand,
then the other. Some
people use cup
shaped objects for
this massage
technique.

Slapping- same as
above with flat
hands.

Tapping- Using the

tips of fingers, tap the
back with one hand
then the other.

Quacking- Hold both

palms together w/
fingers apart, tap back
w/ tips of little finger
and ring finger,
allowing the fingers to
fall together on
impact.

Pincement- Gently pinch

the back, pulling up small
tissue between the thumb
and 1st finger.

Skritchies- gentle
pinching or plucking
of the scalp.

Certified Athletic Trainer

What type of training is
needed to become a certified
athletic trainer?
Bachelors Degree
A certified athletic trainer is
an allied health care
professional trained in the
area of sports medicine.
Athletic trainers can be
found in many different
settings. The most traditional
settings include working with
high school, college, and
professional teams, providing
health care for athletes.
Many athletic trainers have a
masters degree in a related
science field, or an advanced
degree in athletic training.

Orthopedics
Orthopedics is the study
of the musculoskeletal
system. Orthopedic
doctors help patients
with the diagnosis of
problems associated with
the bone, joints,
ligaments, tendons,
muscles, and nerves of
the body. Orthopedics is
one of many medical
specialties.
A massage therapist
would be a good addition
to this practice.

Range of Motion
(ROM)

When patients
have limited
movement, range
of motion exercises
help keep muscles/
joints functioning.

ROM- ordered by a
physician and
administered by a
physical therapist,
nurse, assistant, or
other authorized
person.

ROM Avoids:

Contractures- tightening/shortening of
muscle, causing permanent flexing of the
joint.

Muscle atrophy or stiff joints.

Circulatory impairment (leading to blood

clots/decubitus ulcers).

Other problems: poor appetite,

constipation, urinary infections,
respiratory problems, and hypostatic
pneumonia.

Active ROM- performed by

patients who are able to move
each joint without assistance.

Passive ROM- These

exercises are carried out by

the nurse/PT without
assistance from the patient.

Resistive ROM- These are

active exercises performed by
the patient by pulling or
pushing against an opposing
force.
http://www.brooksidepress.org/Pro
ducts/Nursing_Fundamentals_1/les
son_5_Section_1.htm

Principles for Performing ROM:

1. Movements should be
slow, smooth, and
gentle
2. Support provided to
parts above and below
joint being exercised.
3. Never force joint
beyond range or point
of pain.
4. If patient complains,
stop exercise and
report it to supervisor.

Principles for Performing ROM

Continued
1.

Repeat 3 times or as
ordered.

2.

Encourage patient to assist

as much as possible.

3.

Prevent unnecessary
exposure of patient.

4.

Close door/ provide privacy

5.

Use correct body

mechanics at all times.

Principles of Ambulatory
Assistance
Crutches- usually
prescribed by
a physician.

Therapist or authorized
person fits crutches.
Appropriate gait must be
taught.
Must properly fit- axillary
pressure can cause
damage to radial nerve.

Fitting Crutches:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Patient should wear good

fitting walking shoes w/ low
broad heels.
Position patient against wall
for support (if possible)
Position crutches 4-6 in
front and 4-6 to the side of
patients foot.
Allow 2 space between
underarm and axillary bar.
Adjust hand pieces so that
each elbow is flexed at 2530 degree angle.
Patient must be taught to
support weight on hand
bars NOT axillary supports.

Using A Walker
The walker should be
properly fitted to the
patient.
Position the walker at arm's
length in front of you with all
four legs level on the floor.
Use the handles of the
walker for balance. Move
your weak leg forward first,
gripping the top of the
walker for support. Place the
walker one step ahead of
you and take small steps
when turning. Keep your
back upright while pushing
the walker forward. Do not
walk behind your walker;
step into it instead.

 Cane
Provides balance and support
Some have 3-4 legs for additional support
Used on unaffected (good) side.

Walker
4-legged device
Often used for weak patients w/out leg
injuries
Must be properly fitted
Patient must lift walker, place it in front of
the body, and walk into it
Patient must NOT slide walker

Gait Belt

Band of fabric or leather around

patients waist
During transfers or ambulation,
health care worker can hold belt to
provide additional support
Gait belt must be the proper sizesecure fit around waist but not too
tight
Hold the back of the belt using an
underhand grasp.
Grasp belt at back during
ambulation
Grasp belt on both sides while
facing the patient
Apply belt at the waist and
over the clothes.

Safety Checks
Remain alert when ambulating the
patient.
Walk on the weak side and slightly
behind the patient.
If the patient starts to fall, use your
body to brace the patient.
Ease the patient to the floor as
slowly as possible.
Protect the patients head and neck.
Stay w/ the patient and call for help.
If the patient falls, an accident
report must be filled out in most
agencies.

Sitz bath
A type of a moist
heat application
used for patients
who have
hemorrhoids or
patients who had an
episiotomy from
giving birth.

Under wrap/ preAnkle wraps

wrap is used to
protect the skin. Ace
wrap is then
wrapped over prewrap.

When taping an
ankle the anchor is
the first piece of
tape to go on the
ankle.

Oxygen
If a patient is
cyanotic, you need
to give him/her
OXYGEN.
If a humidifier is
empty you need to
notify your
supervisor
immediately.

O2 is given via Oxygen

nasal cannula-N/C

Mask

Ventilator

Massaging a Baby
http://www.videoju
g.com/film/how-tomassage-yourbaby-for-healthand-happiness