Orientation Make up:
Instructions: Please complete required reading, written, and hands on portion of assignment; send
written write up back to administrative staff. You should allow approximately three hours to complete
assignment. Please send back within two weeks. Assignments can be handwritten or typed.
Required Reading:
Trail Guide:
Introduction:
Fascial System:
Pages:
2…17
38, 39, 47
Clinical Massage:
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2: The Manual (*) Exam
Pages:
6, 11-14, 20
50
Written:
1. Define the following terms:
a. Passive shortening and Active shortening
b. Agonist, Antagonist, synergist (give example of each)
2. Define Muscle architecture give example of two types.
3. Define Ischemic Compression and what tissue trigger point
4. List two characteristics of each tissue: Bone, Muscle, Fascia, Tendon, Ligament
5. How is motion used as a palpation tool?
6. What are the principles of Clinical massage?
7. List 4 functions of fascia.
Hands On: (partner or classmate)
Read page 9 in Trail Guide, “Creating Your Palpatory Journal”. Use the descriptions as an example of
how to describe your palpation experience in words. Using the techniques from TGTB (strumming,
active, passive, and restricted movement) explore and define, assigned structures and tissues. Pay
attention to textures, temperature, and tension of the different tissues.
Perform Trails:
Trail Guide:
Shoulder & Arm Trail 1
52
Trail Guide:
Shoulder & Arm Trail 2
55
Trail Guide:
Tendons of the posterior knee
327
Trail Guide:
Biceps Brachii
95
Trail Guide:
Gluteus Maximus
315
Trail Guide:
Thoracolumbar Aponeurosis
220
Trail Guide
Pelvis & Thigh Trail 3
290
Trail Guide
Exploring the Skin and Fascia
47
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Written:
Begin a palpation journal and write down your experience. Describe the tissues, in your own words or
use clinical, textural, or energetic descriptions (i.e. hypertonic, stuck, and fibrous). Write something you
learned from the palpation and something that was challenging. How might you work to overcome the
challenge?
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