• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.475-489
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• 1997

Connective tissue massage(CTM, Bindegewebs massage) are developed and named by Mrs. Elizabeth Dicke, a German physical therapist. The CTM is used primarily for internal disorder such as myocarditis, coronary insufficiency, high blood pressure, functional stomach and intestinal disorders, inflamma-tion of the gallbladder, and hepatitis, arterial circulatory problems, venous disorders, headache, particularly trauma to the head, and some gynecologic disorder, etc. Which is performed with special stroking technique of the subcutaneous tissue of the trunk, extremities, and face. The mechanism of effectiveness of CTM is based on a viscerocutaneous reflex. The stroking stimulates the nerve end-ings of the autonomic nervous system. The impulses activated by stroking travel to the sympathetic trunk and the spinal cord and brain, which causes a change in reaction susceptibility. The most important for apply CTM is necessary to know the reflex zone (Head's zone, Mackenzie's zone and Dicke's connective tissue zone). Dicke's connective tissue zones are only found by the special dia-gnostic stroking. Because the connective tissue zones no discomfort when unmanipulated, and thus the patient is unaware of them. It is characterized by diagnostic stroking that causes a sharp pain in the tissue. As a general rule, all treatment are preceded by the basic stroke from the level of the coccyx to the first lumbar vertebra and each stroke is done three times. The right side is done first, then the left side.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.345-354
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• 2002

A Study of Clinical Application of the Connective Tissue Massage General massage is termed kneading and rubbing. It will bring the effect of blood volume and cardiovascular reaction. Connective tissue massage is a diagnostic and treatment method. But the general massage has not diagnostic aspect. Connective tissue massage techniques are stimulating and stretching the LCT, mast cell, collagenous fiber, fascia, skin, muscle and nerve tissue. Diagnostic aspects of connective tissue massage are visible investigation, manual investigation, and stroking on the reflex zone. CTM do stroking with 3, 4th finger tips on the whole body for the treatment.