Manual Therapy Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real CCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Manual Therapy Techniques flashcards as text
A dog presents with reduced elbow extension following a condylar fracture repair. Which manual therapy approach would be MOST appropriate in the early post-operative phase?
Answer: Grade I-II joint mobilization and gentle PROM
In early post-operative phases, only gentle Grade I-II mobilizations and PROM within a pain-free range are appropriate to maintain mobility without stressing healing tissue.
What is the primary mechanism by which massage reduces muscle spasm?
Answer: Mechanoreceptor stimulation that inhibits nociceptor signaling and promotes relaxation
Massage stimulates mechanoreceptors in skin and muscle that activate inhibitory interneurons, reducing pain signals and promoting parasympathetic-mediated muscle relaxation.
Strain-counterstrain technique is best described as:
Answer: Passively positioning the animal in a position of comfort to resolve a tender point
Strain-counterstrain involves positioning the patient in a direction away from restriction (position of comfort) to reset aberrant proprioceptive activity and resolve tender points.
Which lymphatic drainage technique would be MOST beneficial for a dog with post-surgical limb edema?
Answer: Light rhythmic strokes moving proximally toward lymph nodes
Manual lymphatic drainage uses very light, proximal-directed strokes to stimulate lymphatic vessel contraction and move fluid toward draining lymph nodes.
When performing spinal mobilization on a cat, compared to a dog, the therapist should:
Answer: Use less force and smaller amplitude due to smaller body size and fragility
Cats require significantly less force and smaller amplitude movements due to their smaller size, and the therapist must account for their different temperament and anatomy.
The purpose of joint play assessment in manual therapy is to:
Answer: Evaluate the accessory (non-physiological) movement available within a joint
Joint play assessment evaluates the small accessory glide, roll, and spin movements within a joint that cannot be produced voluntarily by the patient.
Which of the following is a precaution (not absolute contraindication) to massage therapy in companion animals?
Answer: Moderate osteoarthritis with pain
Moderate osteoarthritis is a precaution requiring adapted pressure and technique rather than an absolute contraindication, whereas the other options are absolute contraindications.