39151 - Massage and Physical Therapy (IM)

Course contents

Knowledge outcomes

After completing this course, the student will attain applied knowledge and skills about principles of physical therapy, manual massage, through a precise knowledge of the indications and contraindications for manual treatment.

 Program / Content

- MANUAL MASSAGE: THEORY. Origins of massage, theoretical assumptions and neurophysiological basis, mechanical effects of action, anatomy of the venous and lymphatic system, the manual massage, indications and contraindications absolute and relative.

 - MANUAL MASSAGE: PRACTICE

Effleurage: Gliding strokes

Petrissage: Kneading movements

Friction: Circular pressures

Vibration: Oscillatory movements

Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping

Lumbar spine and the back and neck treatment, with  manual touch techniques, operator and patient position.

The lower and upper limb massage treatment: appropriate  massage techniques

Treatment of the chest and abdominal wall: the various manual massage techniques

Treatment of foot and hand interosseous massage

 - MYOFASCIAL MASSAGE: THEORY: Introduction to the myofascial system; theoretical principles of the connective tissue massage;  dermatomal distribution; overview on the specific manual therapy, effects, indications and contraindications.

 - MYOFASCIAL MASSAGE: PRACTICE.: Connective tissue massage in specific key areas of fascia.

 - LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGGE THEORY. Basic concepts of the lymphatic drainage stroke technique: lymphatic circulation, general effects of lymphatic drainage, indications and contraindications.

 - LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGGE PRACTICE: lymphatic drainage performances: correct pressure, direction of the strokes, rhythm, sequenze of the strokes.

 

Physical Therapy

 

· PHYSICAL THERAPY, general considerations.

· HEAT, elements of biophysics, indications, contraindications, and application techniques.

· RADIANT ENERGY, elements of biophysics, indications, contraindications, and application techniques of:

 - Thermotherapy with infrared radiation

 - Microwaves Diathermy

 - Hyperthermia

 -  Resistive and Capacitive Energy Transfer

 - Shortwave Diathermy

 - Laser-therapy

 · MAGNETIC THERAPY, elements of biophysics of pulsed magnetic fields, indications, contraindications, and application techniques.

 · ULTRASOUND THERAPY, elements of biophysics, indications, contraindications, and application techniques.

 · ELECTRIC ALTERNATING AND CONTINUOUS CURRENTS, elements of biophysics, motor  neural excitability (normoinnervated and denervated muscles); sinusoidal, rectangular, exponential, triangular, galvanic currents; analgesic, trophic and chimica effects; indications, contraindications and application techniques.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Menarini C., Menarini M., Manuale di Terapia Fisica, Aulo Gaggi Editore, Bologna.

Pizzetti M., Caruso I., Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione, Edilombardo, Roma.

Menarini D., Mascellani A.S., Il massaggio manuale, Ponte Nuovo Editrice, Bologna.

Gazzola F., Massaggio & Linfodrenaggio, De Vecchi Editore, Milano.

Ingrid K., Introduzione al Linfodrenaggio Manuale secondo Vodder, Marrapese Editore, Roma.

Dicke E., Schliack H., Wolff A., Massaggio Connettivale, Piccin Editore, Padova.

Office hours

See the website of Gianluca Grazioli