Phalen’s test Tests for carpal tunnel syndrome. With their arms in front of them, the client is asked to place the back of their hands together and, keeping them together, raise their elbows to Functional vs. structural scoliosis test Tests for whether the cause of scoliosis is functional/muscular or structural/skeletal in nature. The client stands with their shirt removed. The therapist stands behind the client and observes the client’s spine and its curvature. The client bends their trunk into lateral flexion on the convex (curving laterally) side of their spine, then returns to the neutral position. Then the client flexes their trunk forward. Functional scoliosis is indicated if the spinal curvature corrects itself when the client laterally flexes their trunk Scoliosis short leg test Tests for uneven leg length that may be causing functional scoliosis. The client is standing. The massage therapist is in front of the client noting the position of the bilateral hips and shoulders to see if there is any tilting due to scoliosis. The therapist places a thin book under the foot of the suspected Kemp’s test aka lumbar quadrant test Tests for nerve root compression due to a disc herniation in the lumbar region. The client is standing and extends their back then laterally flexes their trunk to the affected side before returning to the neutral position. The client may also go into lateral flexion Slump test Tests for nerve root compression due to a disc herniation in the lumbar region. The client should be seated on the edge of the massage table, spine erect with their feet hanging freely. They will be asked to put the back of their hands on their lower back before slumping their entire spine into flexion. The massage therapist may either place their forearm at the base of the neck Quadratus lumborum (QL) length test Tests for hypertonicity of the QL. The client may be seated or standing. The massage therapist stands behind the client and notes the position of the bilateral hips. The client then laterally flexes their trunk to one side and then the other while the Iliopsoas strength test Tests for weakness of the iliopsoas muscles. The client should be lying on the table in the supine position with their knees in full extension; no bolster is placed underneath them. The client is asked to actively raise one of their thighs off the table with Iliopsoas length test I Tests for hypertonicity of the iliopsoas muscles. The client should be on the table in the supine position, again, with no bolster. The massage therapist places the foot of the side being tested Iliopsoas length test II Tests for hypertonicity of the Iliopsoas muscles. The client should be on the table in the supine position near the edge of the table on the side being tested. Again, no bolster. The massage Thigh adductor length test Tests for hypertonicity of the adductor group of muscles. The client should be on the table in the supine position. On the thigh that is being tested, the client will place the plantar (bottom) surface of their foot on the medial portion of the opposite knee. (The client should be in a “figure-4” position.) From this position, the massage therapist will push the thigh on the side of the adductors that are being tested into flexion – most Hip range of motion test Tests for hypertonic muscles or a dysfunction of the hip joint. The client should be in the supine position and their knees may be bolstered for comfort. The client’s thigh is brought into flexion
90 degrees. Carpal tunnel syndrome is indicated if symptoms emerge as the client maintains this position.
ORTHOPEDIC TESTS FOR THE SPINE AND TRUNK
or if the curvature reverses when the client flexes their trunk forward. Structural scoliosis is indicated if the curvature does not correct itself during either action. In either case, the massage therapist can massage hypertonic muscles, but the client’s long-term relief can only be expected if the client’s scoliosis is functional in nature. It is outside a therapist’s scope-of-practice to attempt structural corrections. shorter leg which itself may be indicated by either an inferiorly situated hip or shoulder. A positive result is indicated if the curvature disappears after the book is placed under the shorter leg’s foot. Hypertonic muscles of the lower back and hips should be addressed. toward the affected side then rotate their trunk toward the affected side. A positive result is indicated by pain, numbness or tingling down the leg of the affected side. Avoid traction of the neck and lower limbs. and direct pressure inferiorly or tilt the client’s head forward so that their chin is toward their chest. Then the client will extend the knee on the affected side. The therapist may also reach and dorsiflex the client’s foot. A positive result is indicated by pain in the lower back at any time during the test.
therapist notes which side has a reduced ROM. A reduced ROM in combination with and elevated hip free of pain indicates a shortened QL. All massage strokes are indicated.
ORTHOPEDIC TESTS FOR THE HIPS
a slight lateral rotation while flexing their knee to 30 degrees. The client is asked to maintain this position. If they cannot, the iliopsoas group is considered weak. Active-resisted exercises may be employed to strengthen the iliopsoas.
on the opposite knee (in a “figure-4” position). Hypertonic iliopsoas muscles are indicated if the hip of the side being tested rises above the opposite knee.
therapist drapes the thigh being tested off the edge of the table. Hypertonic iliopsoas muscles are indicated if the client’s thigh does not drop below tabletop level.
easily done by the therapist pushing with their own hip – while applying posterior pressure on the knee of the side being tested. (The therapist may want to place a hand on the opposite thigh’s quadricep muscles just above the knee for stabilization purposes.) Shortened adductors or hypertension of the adductor muscles is indicated if the knee is unable to touch the table top or flexion under 90 degrees.
at the hip while keeping the knee flexed. The massage therapist will perform circumduction of the hip joint at approximately 45 degrees of flexion. Limited ROM or pain around the femur’s
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Book Code: MTX1324B
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