Three basic steps: 1. Place PIP (proximal interphalangeal joints) of both hands together at the center of the biceps brachii muscle (See Figure 9). Press with firm to medium pressure into the muscle. 2. The therapist slowly ulnar deviates (abducts) his/her wrist with both hands, creating a slow, gliding force in opposing directions. 3. The therapist continues this slow, gliding force in straight lines toward the table with both hands. Continue this stroke until both sets of knuckles strike the table. Figure 9: Midline Knuckles on Brachium
Figure 7: Pulling Petrissage Upon Biceps Brachii
Move along the biceps brachii laterally with straight fingers, then firmly plant fingers deeply toward the distal end of the humerus bone (See Figure 8). The thick mass of muscle felt on the bone is the brachialis muscle. Slow, non-gliding movements are enough to stimulate these fibers. Moving superior/inferior will allow for longitudinal strokes; moving medial/lateral will perform cross- fiber strokes. *Important bodyworker note : Cross-fiber strokes are designed to break up adhesions and tear muscle tissue. These ideally are only employed to aid muscle tissue growth and clear adhesions felt in tissue. Figure 8: Pressing Petrissage upon Brachialis
The therapist uses straight fingers to begin the stroke at the superior aspects of the olecranon process, then scoops tissue in a proximal direction (See Figure 10). Repeat several times. Figure 10: Peeling at Olecranon
Freeing the medial epicondyle Therapist uses distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of index and middle digits to create a scooping motion away from the medial epicondyle landmark (See Figure 11). Each scooping motion may be one to two inches. Moving in a proximal direction from this landmark addresses the triceps brachii muscle. Moving in a distal direction from this landmark addresses the common “flexors tendon” at which many anterior antebrachial muscles converge. Repeat the scooping motion several times, creating space around this key landmark. Figure 11: Knuckle Scooping Inferiorly
The therapist glides the elbow approximately a half inch distally upon forearm as he/she elevates their hand, then presses deeply with pressure when therapist lowers his/her hand toward the client’s forearm. Repeat this motion several times until the therapist has glided distally enough to contact flexor tendons (thereby being off muscle belly). Figure 12: Thumb Friction
Figure 13: Elbow Scooping Inferiorly
The therapist uses the radial side of the thumb to accomplish the same goal of creating space as the prior technique, knuckle scooping (See Figure 12). Each scooping motion may be one to two inches. First, the therapist will guide the olecranon process at the distal end of client’s medial epicondyle with client’s arm upon the table with the palm forward and the hand near client’s head (See Figure 13). A small towel bolster may help a client achieve this position if there is any discomfort. Second, the therapist will begin this sequence of movement:
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Book Code: MLA1224
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