Page 88 - Massage Therapy School Program

Protocol: Cervical Contrast Treatment
Treatment Time: 15-30 minutes
Contraindications & Precautions:
• Sunburn
• Skin conditions or open sores on the neck or shoulders
• Recent or acute injuries to the neck
• Fever or infections
• Massage strokes and pressure will depend on the condition of the client
Protocol for Cervical Contrast Treatment
1. With the client seated on the side of the massage table, assess client’s active cervical range of motion (ROM) and have him or her indicate the area of most discomfort. Place the client in the supine position on the massage table. The treatment should focus on the area(s) of most discomfort. Have the client move through all cervical ranges of motion before you begin treatment to help them relate to any soreness or restriction of range of motion. Have them repeat the cervical range of motion after treatment so they can feel the effectiveness of the treatment.
2. Add a few drops of Prossage® Heat to the palm of your hands. Rub palms together briskly to activate the Prossage. Only use a few drops of Prossage for this treatment to prevent the hands from slipping over the tissue.
3. The first stroke is a myofascial stroke to gently stretch the skin of the upper back and posterior cervical area. Slide both hands down the client’s mid thoracic area on either side of the paraspinals and bring up slowly. Repeat three times.
4. Feathering techniques are performed by applying pressure with our finger tips at the spinous process of C7 and moving outward to the transverse process of the posterior cervical vertebrae. Staring a C7 and working up to the suboccipital area. Repeat three times.
5. Stripping strokes are applied from the sub occipital area along the lamina groove to C7 on each side of the spinous processes. As you perform the stripping strokes you can stop at any point where tender spot is located and hold for 8-12 seconds. With direct pressure, tenderness should change from sharp to dull as you hold the tender spot. Apply stripping strokes from occipital ridge down the cervical spine to C7. Repeat three times.
6. Apply direct thumb pressure to paraspinals in lamina groove. This technique is done to treat the specific areas of tenderness. Hold for 8-12 seconds and repeat three times.
7. Direct pressure is then applied from the mastoid process along the occipital bone on each side of the head. Again with any location of tender points direct pressure can be held for 8-12 seconds. Repeat on each side of the head three times.
Cervical Contrast Treatment – Protocol
©March 2012, P05507, Rev. 0