[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

Box 9.2
The MT’s ability to use their senses analytically to collect information
involves three key concepts:
• The ability to visualize what is happening in your client’s body. For
example: you observe scar tissue from a burn injury that has enveloped
the client’s upper thoracic region. Can you envision how scarring in this
area might affect the client’s movement and activities of daily living? In
addition to the more obvious shoulder range of movement (ROM)
issues, how might the scarring relate to the client’s other expressed
complaint of low back pain? Could the limitation of arm swing be
altering her gait? In addition to observing straight-up shoulder ROM
assessment, consider if she is limited in her ability to wash her hair,
reach for items above her head or put on her car seat-belt? The ability to
visualize can often lead the therapist to ask important questions as the
client may not readily provide some information.
• The ability to listen critically. Critical listening, a form of critical
analysis, is fundamental to learning. Listening critically involves
analyzing or evaluating the information received, and ultimately
formulating an opinion that will reinforce good critical thinking,
informed decision-making and problem-solving. When listening
critically it is important to keep an open mind and not be biased by
preconceived ideas and personal judgments. For example: a client is
describing the impact on her body from sitting at a computer for 8 hours
a day. Your questions seem to illicit the same responses you have heard
from other clients in a similar situation. You find yourself not listening
because you’ve heard it before (a preconception), thereby blocking the
ability to listen fully and comprehend the information in a critical
manner and perhaps in ways that you learn something new even though
the client’s response sounds the same (Lewis 2015).
• Touch/palpate with a critical eye and hands. Palpation provides
important information on tissue: structure, form, density and mobility.