A Clinical Guide to Surface Palpation

Michael Masaracchio, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, is an associate professor and the chairperson of the department of physical therapy at Long Island University in Brooklyn. He is also the current director of the anatomy lab at Long Island University, where he was awarded the David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018. He is board certified in orthopedic physical therapy by the American Physical Therapy Specialization Council and served on the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for the sports physical therapy examination from 2013 to 2016. A long-time practicing physical therapist, he is currently the clinical director at Masefield and Cavallaro Physical Therapy, where he specializes in the examination and management of orthopedic and sport-related pathologies. Dr. Masaracchio completed his manual therapy fellowship from Regis University in 2013 and is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. He served as the Brooklyn/Staten Island chapter director for the New York Physical Therapy Association (NYPTA) from 2014 to 2018. He also was the member-at-large and sat on the executive committee for the NYPTA in 2016. Dr. Masaracchio has published 22 articles, a textbook, and a book chapter, and he has presented at local, national, and international conferences. Chana Frommer, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, RISPT, CCI, is an adjunct associate professor in the department of physical therapy at Long Island University in Brooklyn. A long-time practicing physical therapist, she is currently a senior staff physical therapist at Nola Physical Therapy and Performance, where she focuses on treating people with orthopedic and sports pathologies. Dr. Frommer is board certified in orthopedics and sports by the American Physical Therapy Specialization Council. She served on the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for both the orthopedic and sports physical therapy examinations, and she was a reviewer for ABPTS Specialist Re-certification Committee. She is also certified as a clinical instructor (CCI) by the American Physical Therapy Association and serves as an instructor and mentor for physical therapy students during their clinical rotations. Dr. Frommer is a Registered International Sports Physical Therapist and has served as a Medical Captain for the New York City Marathon medical team for a number of years. She has also been the lead author on two articles related to pediatric and adolescent sports injuries, has coauthored a textbook, and has presented at a national conference.

Chapter 1. Introduction to the Art and Science of Palpation Definition of Palpation Goals of Palpation Psychomotor Skill of Palpation Importance of Palpation as a Component of the Examination Role of Anatomy in Palpation Palpation of Different Structures Body Mechanics Conclusion Review Questions Chapter 2. Skull and Face Functions of the Skull and Face Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 3. Superficial Back and Shoulder Complex Functions of the Shoulder Girdle Complex Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 4. Pectoral and Axillary Regions Functions of the Pectoral Region Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 5. Elbow and Forearm Functions of the Elbow and Forearm Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 6. Wrist and Hand Functions of the Wrist and Hand Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 7. Cervical Spine and Thorax Functions of the Cervical Spine, Thoracic Spine, and Rib Cage Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 8. Lumbosacral Spine Functions of the Lumbosacral Spine Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 9. Abdomen and Pelvis Functions of the Abdomen and Pelvis Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Abdominal Visceral Anatomy Pelvic Visceral Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 10. Hip and Groin Region Functions of the Hip Joint Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 11. Knee and Thigh Functions of the Knee Joint Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions Chapter 12. Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Functions of the Foot and Ankle Joints Bony Anatomy Soft Tissue Anatomy Neurovascular Anatomy Structural Inspection Palpation Case Study Review Questions