Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

[Extra Crispy]

Well, the next several months are gonna be REALLY interesting! We started kinesthiology and clinical massage techniques and will be having these two classes for the next eight lonnnnng months. We just started on the ES and transversospinalis groups.  I know. I know. Each of you have gone through what I'm going through and survived...but... :Wish me luck.

 

[SERENDIPITIST]

Good luck!I am still going through what you are going through.  I'm having a test tonight.  We have over 125 possible muscles that could be on the test. unfortunately its not multiple choice. How are we expected to remember all of these?

 

[placplacplac]

Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

I do wish you luck, but you're scarin me!! I just am filling out my ap for school and setting up appointments for financial aid etc. and it's getting really real to me that I will be doing this in Sept. I am nervous about learning all those muscles. The school I want to go to offers a 6 week one night per week intro to a&p and I am considering taking it in July & Aug. its another added cost but I think reading thru here I do need it. Would you have taken something like that if you had the chance?

 

[Felidae]

I took an A&P class at a local college.  It was very helpful, but not with the muscles.  In MT school, the muscles are so much more detailed.  You'll be fine.

 

[Tapioca Is A Pipe Bomb!]

the only thing about an intro to a&p class is that it won't just cover the muscles so I think it will be a waste of time and money if you just need help on the muscles.  Honestly the only reason why I know them as well as I do, is that I took a Gross Anatomy class before I started MT school while I was in PT school.  They do offer them for MT's and I highly suggest that those that are having trouble learning them, look into it.  There is also a video that is in a 5 set program... I think you can get it on massagereview.com it is very boring, but very well done, so you can only watch it in pieces.  Just looking at the 2 dimentional structures in books is very hard, and the 2 I like are trail guide for the body, and Frank Netters atlas of the human body.  Either way it is just repetition and trying to visually imprint them in your mind.If you still have trouble, see if there is a tutor that you can see to give you some pointers and help you study!

 

[annmic]

Flash cards - every night before bed.I bought the trail guide to the body flash cards and they were really helpful.At school we also have a DVD set where someone has dissected a cadaver and we see the skeleton with each muscle - one at a time.  It is amazing to compare the real life muscle (some are so thin and fragile looking even though they are powerful when in use).When you are working on someone, say to yourself the O-I-A of each muscle as you work it.I can't believe that I now know all this about lots of muscles just from using the info I learned and applying it to the body!It seems overwhelming, but I would suggest leaning one at a time.  Don't go on to the next one until you really know each one.Have fun!LaLoba

 

[Alec]

oh and laloba's post reminded me... I actually sat down and made my own flash cards on the big index cards... it was actually assigned to us for gross anatomy... so I drew the structure on the blank side, and wrote in the O/I/A and nerve innervation on the other side.  It also helped to have groupings of what muscles attatch to what bone... and what location on the bone on another card.  ex. scapula - corocoid process - bicepts short head, corico-bracialis, pec minor...

 

[LasNoches]

Thanks everyone for your words of support (gulp) and suggestions. As for taking a pre-A&P class, what I did was read as much of the class text book as I could before class started (not worrying so much on the atomic structure). It'd been a while since being in any kind of classroom setting,  but I ended getting a A in both A&P1 and A&P2.And you're sooooo right. It's still amazing to me what I've been able to learn (and remember) over these last few months (it's almost too frightening).

 

[Elrick]

Gaspen, Seattle, and all other students,  I want you to come back and read this post after you finish school.  Because by then you will be walking down the mall, see someone walking with a slightly abnormal gait, and say to yourself "Shortened QL, Iliopsoas, TFL....." and then think back to this and laugh.  I remember learning all the muscles and thinking 'there is no way I can remember all this."  Now my Doc's always ask me "What muscle would this be?"  It is amazing what can transform in just a years time.  Be patient, and consistent, it will come to you.

 

[mizfurrocious]

Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

And now I've taken to intently looking at people (on the train, bus, walking, etc.) and trying to unobtrusively visually examine them while trying to picture the OIAs. I've been 'caught' a few times and have been given a few dirty looks. So now I carry Trailguide or a massage mag in plain sight.

 

[Starry]

LaLoba did you buy  both sets of trail cards or just the 2nd set (muscles)?  I am entered into a drawing to win the intro to A/P at the school I am going to go to this fall. If I don't win, I'll just follow the advice here and study on my own. Regardless I think the cards are a good idea. Just wonder if I need both sets.Thanks

 

[jak.]

Gaspen,  Wait until you see someone in a strange position, you mimic it to see where they hurt, and they catch you doing it.  Then you will get the really dirty looks.  When I was learning, I would walk like someone with a limp, and I always got caught.  No matter what you do they don't believe you....  but it does help you learn.

 

[jcab20055]

Seattlesunshine,I just bought the second set.  I couldn't find them locally, so I had to order from the author and with s/h they were expensive.  I haven't taken the NCE yet, so I carry them around in my backpack and review when I have spare time, or am stuck waiting somewhere.BigDog is right...It comes naturally after awhile and you do find yourself contorting to match someone's position and figuring out what muscles are stretched and what are contracted that would allow you to go around looking like that!Best Wishes!LaLoba3 more weekend workshops, 2 more tests, 1 comprehensive final, 2 clinics, 1 lab project to go and then GRADUATION!!!!!!

 

[dyingatheist]

Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

Congrats - you're almost done!I actually find the whole thing rather interesting and exciting and coupled with thermal and clinical massage, it totally gives a new light on massage.

 

[203]

Gaspen,I have so enjoyed reading your posts.  You seem to have an intuitive grasp of what is going on with people - this is hard to do online w/o body language and non-verbal feedback...the fact that you do it so well, lets me know you are going to be an awesome therapist!!!!I look forward to hearing more details about your evolution as you work through the muscles.Gracias!LaLoba

 

[thundercatt9]

Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

LaLoba - thanks for the kind assessment (blushing)Had my first written test on OIAs, TPs and my first palpation/massage integration Saturday. Did okay on the written and did really well on the performance test. 'Course this was only on the ES and Transversospinalis Groups. I only have about 290+ mucles to go.Again. Thanks.

 

[William T]

Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

Just picked up the flip cards for Trail Guide for the muscles and boy am I a happy camper. I check the relevant ones on the bus to and from work. It really helps me to be able to visually/mentally see the muscle. The cards make studying so much easier.

 

[Top Model]

Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

Gaspen,So glad the cards are working for you! I now only carry about 12 or so - the overview ones that show muscles of the Shoulder - Arm (3-5) Muscles of the blah blah blah...I have gotten so I can rattle them off and if I can't, I go back to the individual flash card...I *almost* don't mind when my son isn't ready when I pick him up from track practice 'cause it gives me time to study LaLoba1 more workshop, 1 more test, 1 cumulative final, 3 more sessions with my lab project... then done, done, done...stick a fork in me I am done, done, done...

 

[Joe Angus]

Ohhhh, boy - muscles, muscles, muscles

Congrats!I'm also thinking of making my own cards so I may include Stressors, TPs, massage considerations.

 

[EatDaCakeAnnieMay!]

Gaspen - I'm in the same school as you (different class) and found that writing out different versions of OIA questions really made me have to know my stuff.  I also found it helpful to make and take my own mini-exam.  When you have to write it out, it really tests your knowledge and whatever you're not sure about you can concentrate your attention on without wasting alot of time with the stuff you know really well.  Same with your other classes.The back is a fascinating area.  Going from Swedish to spending an hour on one area is an eye opener.  Good luck!