David DiBartolo
RCR 151 Project Part A

Abstract:

This case study is about the application and effectiveness of massage modalities on resolving pain and tension issues based on chronic postural imbalances. In this case study there will be assessing of the client's conditions, facilitating techniques based on the symptoms and drawing conclusions of the efficacy of the applied techniques as a protocol for the given conditions.

Introduction:

1. The therapeutic concern for my client is to relieve moderate and chronic pain that stems from the neck down the shoulder blade and into the upper arm and mid-back at rest and during daily activity. With the pain and tension comes a compromised active, passive, and resisted range of motion in the actions …show more content…
Based on the current research, Chronic neck and shoulder pain most commonly is associated/ due to the following conditions:
Muscle Strain: direct damage to the muscle tissue due to overuse based on consistent activity, chronic postural maladaptations.
Joint Degradation: the erosion of articular tissues (hyaline cartilage, bursa membrane) due to either overuse or by autoimmune response (Rheumatoid arthritis)
Nerve Compression: Force being exerted on the nerve based on mechanical pressures from joints and soft tissue. Pain associated with nerve compression can be founded in a variety of origins such as Nerve misconduct, Nerve inflammation, trigger points, and hyperstimulation of the nerve leading to the muscle.
Acute Trauma: Impact force to the muscle based on a specific event resulting in damage to various muscle and nerve tissue, eliciting a pain response at the point of injury and during the healing process. If not healed properly it can manifest in any of the previously listed conditions and result in chronic pain.

The symptoms most associated with neck and shoulder pain are varying sensations of burning, achy, sharp, and weakness. Stiffness and tension also arise due to the spasm of muscle throughout the injury, healing, and compensation processes, most likely due to the splinting effect as a way of stabilizing the injury to prevent further …show more content…
For my general warming I will specifically use traditional Swedish massage. Although there are integrative aspects to the massage work, I will primarily keep my focus on the entirety of the back and chest along with immediate adjacent joint locations (scauplothoracic and glenohumeral) as these specific areas are most likely tied to the neck and shoulder issues. I will have the client in both lying prone and lying supine positions to create the three dimensional treatment stimulus on the afflicted areas. Using the traditional Swedish massage as general warming will also enhance the pliability of the muscle, reducing the possible risk of injury from massage. Next, with specific warming I will apply the technique of muscle stripping which will include lengthening (application parallel to fiber alignment) and broadening (application perpendicular to fiber alignment). Through muscle stripping in the muscle groups of the neck(levator scapulae, semispinalis, upper trapezius) and shoulder girdle (supra supinated, infraspinatus, teres minor) I will be able to induce hypermedia which will improve circulatory management of the muscle