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Massage Therapy and Abdominal Adhesion prevention PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sarah Pienkowski, SPT (Physical Therapist)   
Thursday, 07 August 2008 06:46

In our Hemming scar guide we show 7 techniques for massage or other wellness modalities.  Our goal  is to prevent adhesions  because adhesions can cause pain and create post surgery complications long after you have healed from the c section.
Here is a brief description of some benefits of massage as stated by a Physical therapist:

 

Friction is moving the superficial tissues over the underlying structures by keeping the hand in firm contact with the skin using circular or cross fiber movements over a limited area (Fritz, 1995, p.225).  The hand and tissues should move as one unit.  Because of the friction, the deeper tissues are worked gradually only after petrissage and effleurage have warmed the tissues.  Pressure should be deep and firm while creating a tension on the involved structures to loosen and stretch them.  This technique is used to assess tissue structures, specifically pliability, tone, texture, etc. and to massage deeply into the joint spaces or around bony landmarks to loosen the area, which is great for chronically tight muscles.  It is also able to break up scar tissue and adhesions, to increase the range of motion.  Using the cross fiber technique, it can be used in the rehabilitation of muscle tears by mocking the normal muscle movements during a contraction to produce mobile
scar tissue.  Again, it is also used to increase circulation to bring oxygen and nutrients, while removing wastes and toxins.
 
Sarah Pienkowski, SPT (Physical Therapist)
Last Updated on Friday, 06 February 2009 22:53
 
Adhesion Formation and Benefits of Massage PDF Print E-mail
Written by J Michael Wieting, DO, MEd   
Tuesday, 05 August 2008 00:00
Therapeutic goals and indications for massage therapy.

Massage may be used as primary therapeutic intervention or as an adjunct to other therapeutic techniques. Uses include, but are not limited to, (1) mobilization of intertissue fluids, (2) reduction or modification of edema, (3) increase of local blood flow, (4) decrease of muscle soreness and stiffness, (5) moderation of pain, (6) facilitation of relaxation, and (7) prevention or elimination of adhesions. Massage may be used to alter pathophysiology of a primary condition (eg, contracture) or to prevent or modify deleterious effects of a previously used treatment modality.

Hospitalized patients who receive massage express improvements in mood, body image, self-esteem, and perceived levels of anxiety. This phenomenon is facilitated by reduction in physical symptoms and distress and may be accompanied by decreased tension, anxiety, and pain perception.

Another therapeutic effect derived from massage is muscle relaxation. Massage appears to reduce tone and enhance circulation to the area. Muscle relaxation also may result from increased sensory stimulation caused directly by massage. This increased sensory input to the spinal cord may result in changes in reflex pathways, leading to central modulatory decreases of muscle tone.

Other effects of massage are enkephalin release, endorphin production, promotion or absorption of fibrous tissue, restoration of connective tissue pliability, improvement of lymphatic flow (in some studies up to 7-9 times), and increased levels of natural killer (NK) cells. Tanabe and Nakayama have provided animal data that suggest that mechanical stimuli, such as massage, to adipocytes may inhibit expression of adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, which is independent of systemic energy consumption. They postulate that such stimuli can assist in reducing the body's fat stores, and may help to reduce obesity.

 

Author: J Michael Wieting, DO, MEd, Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Training, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Medical Director, Rehabilitation Center, Ingham Regional Medical Center 

 
Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 February 2009 23:30