Page 9 - Massage Therapy School Program

Topical Analgesics 101 – Presentation Outline
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Take the time to use a topical analgesic on yourself to better understand the effects of the product and to better explain to your clients what they should expect.
Have students open sample and apply the topical analgesic to the flexors and extensors of the forearm.
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Topical Analgesics – Quiz
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1. Which of the following is an ingredient typically found in a topical analgesic?
Answer b – Menthol; It is the primary ingredient added for pain relief in a topical analgesic.
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2. The “gate control theory” uses which kind of pain control mechanism?
Answer a - Counter-irritation; A topical analgesic stimulates the more superficial nerve fibers, which relieves the deep ache of the deeper nerve fibers.
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3. Which of the following is where Topical Analgesics may not be applied? Answer d - All of the above
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4. Which of the following is a true statement?
Answer b - Cryotherapy decreases pain and reduces inflammation; Cold receptors and pain receptors follow the same pathway reducing pain. The application of cryotherapy decreases circulation to the area of application decreasing the possibility of inflammation.
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5. Which of the following is not a disadvantage of ice?
Answer d - Increased range of motion; The application of cold causes a tissue to contract and vaso-constrict decreasing range of motion of the tissue.
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Developed for Performance Health by Michael McGillicuddy and Lynda Solien-Wolfe. Michael owns and operates a massage school in Winter Park Florida and is a Continuing Education provider specializing in sports and pain management. He is the president of USA Pro Sports. Lynda has a private practice in Merritt Island Florida, she is the education director for Performance Health
References
This information came from the Biofreeze professional brochure. These studies and the brochure can be viewed at www.Thera-BandAcademy.com.
1. Stanos Overview of topical analgesics. Pain Medicine News. 2009 Feb:1-6
2. Galeotti N, DiCesare Mannelli L, Massanti G, Bartolini A, Ghelardini C. Menthol: a natural
analgesic compound. Neuro Science Letters. 2002 Apr 12; 322(3): 145-8
3. Melzak R, Wall PD. Pain mechanisms: a new theory. Science. 1965 Nov 19; 150 (699): 971-9
4. Topp R et al. 2011. Comparison of the effects of ice and 3.5%m menthol gel on blood flow
and muscle strength of the lower arm. J Sport Rehabil 20:35-366
Curriculum developed for Performance Health by Michael McGillicuddy LMT, NCBTMB and Lynda Solien-Wolfe LMT, NCBTMB
January 2013, PO5507, Rev. 1