CCAT Manual Therapy Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Trigger point therapy in veterinary rehabilitation targets:
- Hypertonic, painful nodules within muscle tissue that refer pain to distant sites (Correct answer)
- Inflamed joint capsules
- Fibrotic ligament attachments
- Subcutaneous fat deposits
Correct answer: Hypertonic, painful nodules within muscle tissue that refer pain to distant sites
Trigger points are hyperirritable spots within taut bands of muscle that can cause referred pain patterns and restrict movement.
Question 2: Which of the following is a contraindication to joint mobilization in companion animals?
- Chronic osteoarthritis with reduced range of motion
- Acute fracture or joint instability (Correct answer)
- Post-surgical fibrosis after 8 weeks
- Mild muscle spasm without structural damage
Correct answer: Acute fracture or joint instability
Acute fractures or joint instability are absolute contraindications to joint mobilization, as the technique could worsen injury.
Question 3: Traction applied to the hip joint during manual therapy is intended to:
- Compress the articular cartilage to stimulate remodeling
- Distract the joint surfaces to reduce pain and improve mobility (Correct answer)
- Increase bone density through mechanical loading
- Strengthen the surrounding musculature
Correct answer: Distract the joint surfaces to reduce pain and improve mobility
Joint traction creates distraction (separation) of articular surfaces, which reduces compressive forces, decreases pain, and may improve joint mobility.
Question 4: In companion animal rehabilitation, 'neural mobilization' (neurodynamics) techniques are used to:
- Stimulate motor nerve regeneration after injury
- Restore normal movement and extensibility of neural tissues (Correct answer)
- Block afferent pain signals from peripheral nerves
- Increase synaptic density in the spinal cord
Correct answer: Restore normal movement and extensibility of neural tissues
Neural mobilization techniques address restrictions in neural tissue mobility, restoring normal nerve gliding and reducing neurogenic pain.
Question 5: When using cross-friction massage on a tendon, the strokes should be applied:
- Parallel to the tendon fibers
- Perpendicular to the tendon fibers (Correct answer)
- In a circular pattern around the tendon
- Along the direction of lymphatic drainage
Correct answer: Perpendicular to the tendon fibers
Cross-fiber (transverse) friction is applied perpendicular to the tendon fibers to break down adhesions and promote proper collagen realignment.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the role of the therapist's 'listening hand' during myofascial work?
- The hand used to apply the primary treatment force
- The hand that passively follows fascial tension and releases without forcing (Correct answer)
- The hand placed on the animal's head to monitor arousal level
- The non-dominant hand used for stabilization only
Correct answer: The hand that passively follows fascial tension and releases without forcing
In myofascial techniques, the listening hand follows the subtle tissue movements and fascial pulls rather than imposing force, allowing for indirect release.
Question 7: Grade II joint mobilizations are characterized by:
- Small oscillations at the beginning of the range
- Large-amplitude oscillations within the range but not reaching end range (Correct answer)
- Small-amplitude oscillations at end range
- A single high-velocity thrust
Correct answer: Large-amplitude oscillations within the range but not reaching end range
Grade II mobilizations involve large-amplitude oscillatory movements performed within the available range without reaching end range resistance.
CCAT Manual Therapy Techniques 3
Trigger point therapy in veterinary rehabilitation targets: