CCAT Manual Therapy Techniques 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hand position is MOST appropriate when performing a sacroiliac joint mobilization on a dog?
- One hand on the dorsal spinous processes of L7, the other on the iliac crest (Correct answer)
- Both hands placed on the cervical spine
- One hand on the manubrium, the other on the xiphoid
- Both hands cupping the stifle joint
Correct answer: One hand on the dorsal spinous processes of L7, the other on the iliac crest
Effective SI joint mobilization requires one contact point on the lumbosacral region and the other on the ilium to produce specific force across the SI joint.
Question 2: Active Assisted Range of Motion (AAROM) differs from Passive Range of Motion (PROM) in that:
- AAROM uses more therapist force than PROM
- AAROM involves the patient contributing some muscular effort with therapist assistance (Correct answer)
- AAROM is only performed in water
- AAROM targets ligaments while PROM targets muscles
Correct answer: AAROM involves the patient contributing some muscular effort with therapist assistance
In AAROM, the patient contributes some active muscle effort while the therapist assists the movement, bridging PROM and fully active exercises.
Question 3: Tapotement massage techniques are MOST appropriate for:
- Acute pain management immediately post-injury
- Stimulating muscle tone and circulation in hypotonic muscles before activity (Correct answer)
- Reducing fascial adhesions in chronic fibrosis
- Draining lymphedema proximal to a wound
Correct answer: Stimulating muscle tone and circulation in hypotonic muscles before activity
Tapotement (percussion) techniques stimulate sensory receptors and increase local circulation, making them useful for warming up hypotonic muscles before rehabilitation exercise.
Question 4: When performing cervical spine mobilization on a dog, which of the following positions is SAFEST?
- Full cervical flexion with axial compression
- Neutral or slightly extended position with minimal torsion (Correct answer)
- Maximum rotation combined with extension
- Deep cervical traction combined with lateral flexion
Correct answer: Neutral or slightly extended position with minimal torsion
A neutral or slightly extended position with minimal torsion avoids excessive stress on the vertebral arteries and spinal cord during cervical mobilization.
Question 5: The concept of 'tissue creep' in manual therapy refers to:
- The spread of inflammation through fascial planes
- The gradual elongation of viscoelastic tissue under sustained low load (Correct answer)
- The migration of scar tissue into adjacent structures
- The progressive loss of cartilage with repetitive loading
Correct answer: The gradual elongation of viscoelastic tissue under sustained low load
Tissue creep describes the time-dependent deformation of viscoelastic tissues (fascia, ligaments) when a constant low load is applied over time, which is exploited in sustained stretching techniques.
Question 6: A dog with a cranial cruciate ligament repair shows stifle flexion contracture 6 weeks post-op. Which manual therapy technique is MOST indicated?
- High-velocity thrust manipulation of the stifle
- Sustained passive stretching into stifle extension combined with Grade III mobilization (Correct answer)
- Vigorous effleurage only
- Neural mobilization of the sciatic nerve
Correct answer: Sustained passive stretching into stifle extension combined with Grade III mobilization
Flexion contracture requires sustained stretching to address soft tissue shortening, combined with Grade III mobilizations to restore joint mechanics within the available range.
Question 7: Which of the following statements about joint mobilization and manipulation is CORRECT?
- Manipulation is the same as mobilization but performed more slowly
- Mobilization uses oscillatory movements within or at end range; manipulation uses a single high-velocity thrust beyond the physiological barrier (Correct answer)
- Both techniques require the joint to be in a weight-bearing position
- Manipulation is safer than mobilization in acute injury
Correct answer: Mobilization uses oscillatory movements within or at end range; manipulation uses a single high-velocity thrust beyond the physiological barrier
Mobilization involves controlled oscillatory movements; manipulation (HVLAT) involves a single thrust beyond the physiological barrier into the paraphysiological space.
CCAT Manual Therapy Techniques 5
Which hand position is MOST appropriate when performing a sacroiliac joint mobilization on a dog?