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Teaching palpation

When I was in school, my instructor used some sort of concoction to simulate palpating muscles. When you pushed on the material with a quick, brunt force, it pushed back against you. However, if you let your fingers sink into it gradually, the substance did not resist you. Do any of you know what I am talking about?

Sorry I don't have more information.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael on April 17, 2011 at 5:51am

It is call the Arndt Schults Law "Weak stimuli activate physiological processes: very strong stimuli inhibit physiological responses."

Applications:
Use gentler methods that are slower of less stimulating to activate physiological responses. Doing deep tissue slowly and gently is more effective than using force.
Tissue that is gently agitated will heal faster than tissue that is left alone. Weak stimulus activates tissue growth and wound healing.
Triggerpoints can give off strong impulses that can turn off other processes in the body. Whiplash injuries can influence the activity of the thyroid gland.
To turn off a response, use stronger stimuli. To stop pain use cross fiber friction applied for a few minutes.

We also used the corn starch and water method to practice this and being able to go deep into the tissue without forcing our way in. It is great practice on how to slow down your movements.