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February 23, 2009

Manual Tests And Measures

I feel, somewhat, as though I'm in my element again. We have two musculoskeletal exams this week, one written and one a hands-on practical. The labs are demonstration labs, much like what I got used to in my continuing education classes for massage CEUs. And the rationale for why we're doing what we're doing is much more clear to me than, say, the difference between Golgi tendon organs and muscle spindles.

In many ways, the techniques we're learning are very mechanical in nature, as long as you understand the language. An education strong in anatomy is helpful. Also, directional language used by the medical field (anterior, posterior, caudal, cephalad) tells you which direction you are putting your force. What is most unhelpful is tests named after people who were credited with developing them. Nothing about the Thompson test nor the Thomas test helps give a clue to what is being tested and the names are similar enough to be confusing, too. Why not call them the "Achilles rupture test" and the "hip flexion contracture" test?

These types of tests were the very thing I dreaded before I got into PT school. But now that I'm here, they make sense to me in the context of everything else I'm learning. Many of these tests could be utilized by massage therapists to allow them to measure imbalances in muscle length and tension and assess how successful massage therapy is at addressing these issues.

Schools would do well to teach their students and add credibility to the profession if they would teach some of these assessment tests. Schools may already feel over-burdened to squeeze more into a burgeoning curricula. PT school certainly feels full to the brim with stuff to know. And I'm not suggesting MTs learn all of them, of course, because many are not appropriate to the scope of a massage practice, but a handful are. Maybe what I am suggesting is heresy to PT and massage schools everywhere who want a clear definition of what falls within their jurisdiction for care. But maybe if they shared more common practice, they could work side by side for the betterment of the population they intend to reach.

tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health

Posted by linda at February 23, 2009 8:56 PM