688 Lab 8/5 Intro to Palpation and TART

Palpation

the application of the fingers to the surface of the skin or other tissues using varying amounts of pressure to selectively determine the condition of the parts beneath, main tool of manipulative therapy, discover changes in normal tissues

Layer by Layer Approach

observe, temperature, skin topography and texture, subcutaneous fat and superficial fascia, deep fat and deep fascia, muscle, tendons, ligaments, bone

Palpation Tips

melt into tissues with intention

keep your hands relaxed

use minimum force

picture the anatomy in your mind

concentrate

Observe

visual observation of the skin must precede any palpatory examination

Superficial Veins

thin layer, smooth, compress easily, palpable veins that facilitate blood flow against gravity, pulse is very difficult to palpate

Arteries

thick layer smooth, rigid feel, no valves, have palpable pulse

Common Errors in Palpation

lack of concentration, too much pressure, too much motion

Spinous Process

sticks directly out of the back, palpatable

Transverse Process

lateral to spinous process, align with the back

2 Bony Landmarks of Scapula

spine of the scapula (aligns with collarbone but on back)

inferior angle of the scapula (bottom rounding)

2 Bony Landmarks of Thoracic Spine

spinous processes

transverse processes

Iliac Crest

bony landmark for palpation, top of hip bone

3 Essential Features of Palpation

the application of appropriate palpatory techniques

the expected consistency of the tissue

differentiating the resistance felt in palpated structures

Permission to Examine

you MUST obtain permission before examining and treating a patient