CCAT Manual Therapy Techniques 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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?
- High-velocity spinal manipulation
- Grade III-IV joint mobilization
- Grade I-II joint mobilization and gentle PROM (Correct answer)
- Deep cross-friction massage over the fracture site
Correct 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.
Question 2: What is the primary mechanism by which massage reduces muscle spasm?
- Direct breaking of actin-myosin cross-bridges
- Mechanoreceptor stimulation that inhibits nociceptor signaling and promotes relaxation (Correct answer)
- Electrical depolarization of motor neurons
- Compression of lymphatic vessels to remove metabolic waste
Correct 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.
Question 3: Strain-counterstrain technique is best described as:
- A high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust applied to a restricted joint
- Passively positioning the animal in a position of comfort to resolve a tender point (Correct answer)
- Sustained myofascial stretching held for 90–120 seconds
- Rapid oscillatory movement applied at end range
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which lymphatic drainage technique would be MOST beneficial for a dog with post-surgical limb edema?
- Deep effleurage moving distally away from the trunk
- Light rhythmic strokes moving proximally toward lymph nodes (Correct answer)
- Vigorous petrissage over the edematous region
- Cross-fiber friction over swollen tissue
Correct 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.
Question 5: When performing spinal mobilization on a cat, compared to a dog, the therapist should:
- Use greater force due to cats' denser spinal musculature
- Use less force and smaller amplitude due to smaller body size and fragility (Correct answer)
- Apply the same technique as a medium-sized dog
- Avoid all spinal manual therapy in cats
Correct 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.
Question 6: The purpose of joint play assessment in manual therapy is to:
- Measure the active range of motion during functional tasks
- Evaluate the accessory (non-physiological) movement available within a joint (Correct answer)
- Assess the strength of periarticular muscles
- Determine bone density via palpation
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which of the following is a precaution (not absolute contraindication) to massage therapy in companion animals?
- Open wounds or skin infections at the treatment site
- Active neoplasia in the area to be treated
- Moderate osteoarthritis with pain (Correct answer)
- Thrombosis in the vessel supplying the limb
Correct 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.
CCAT Manual Therapy Techniques 4
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?