Home |
Blog
| Webdesign |
Consulting |
About
Me
|
|
|
Pathology for Massage Therapists
| |||||||||||||
Addictions-
Eating Disorders Touch Can Ease the Symptoms
AIDS -see HIV/AIDS
ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Lou Gherig's disease
Definition: Progressive
neuromuscular disease in which the motor cells in the spinal cord degenerate
leading to muscular weakness
Causes: unknown
Signs/Symptoms: stiffness,
weakness and wasting of muscles of hands and feet, followed by twitches
and cramps; use of muscle decreases; affects the palate, pharynx, tongue,
neck and shoulders in advanced stages leading to difficulty in speech and
swallowing; affects mainly men between 40-70 years old. There is
no definite test for diagnosis. Death usually occurs within 2-10
years.
Indications:
May help reduce stress; check for other contraindications. Communication
may be difficult.
Contraindications:
Get physician referral.
Links- ALS Survival Guide
Alcoholism - Massage Eases Withdrawal Symptoms
Anemia
Definition: Anemia
is a sign not a disease. There are many kinds and are all characterized
by reduced blood red blood cell count or hemoglobin
Causes: Nutritional-
diet lacking in iron, amino acids or vitamin B12. Pernicious- insufficient
production of red blood cells from an inability to produce a necessary
factor. Hemmorrhagic- from excessive bleeding. Hemolytic- red
blood cells plasma membranes rupture prematurely. Aplastic- destruction
of bone marrow from toxins, radiation, or medications
Signs/Symptoms: fatigue,
unable to tolerate cold, paleness of skin, mucous membranes, gums, nail
beds; shortness of breath, palpitations.
Indications: May
be helpful
Contraindications: Contraindicated
in advanced stages where the heart is overworked. Work with the care of
a physician. Refer to appropriate health care provider.
Angina Pectoris
Definition:
Chest pain
Causes: oxygen deprivation
in the heart; usually from blocked arteries, anemia, or hyperthyroidism
Signs/Symptoms: heavy,
tight pain in the chest, left shoulder, arm and jaw area usually after
exertion
Indications: Massage
Ok; reduce stress; Trigger point chest area, ribs, sternum
with ok of physician
Contraindications:
Refer to appropriate health care provider. May be on beta blockers
or other medications to dilate coronary vessels.
Aneurysm
Definition: Arterial
dilation caused by the pressure of blood on a section of the wall of the
artery that may be thin and weak due to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis
or unhealthy connective tissue.
Causes: May be due
to surgical procedure, smoking, genetics, nutritional deficiency, coughing,
inflammation, trauma
Sign/Symptoms: may
have back pain, chest pain, coughing, or other problems in area where aneurysm
is forming.
Indications: None
Contraindications:
Depending on the region; Have area checked by physician, get medical clearance;
avoid pressure on pulses: Refer to appropriate health care provider. Be
sure to do a complete history - warning signs may be heart disease, atherosclerosis
and/or high blood pressure.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Definition: Type
of rheumatic arthritis that affects the spine and sacroiliac joint
Causes: unknown,
but may be viral, bacterial, fungal such as candida or genetic, auto-immune
disorder
Signs/Symptoms: joints
become inflamed, stiff and rigid and often calcification occurs at the
articular surfaces: may affect breathing if between the ribs and spine;
postural deformities often result (flexion)
Indications: Massage
is OK when inflammation subacute.
Contraindications:
Use caution when working around inflammation -inflammation may be in other
areas. Refer to appropriate health care provider. Acupuncture may
relieve pain.
Anxiety
Definition:
Emotionally erratic or unusual behavior
Causes: Stress, food
allergies, malfunction in brain chemistry, caffeine based stimulants (coffee,
chocolate, sodas), blood sugar imbalances
Signs/Symptoms: panic
attacks, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness,
nausea, hot flashes/chills, nightmares
Indications: Promote
relaxation
Contraindications:
For severe cases (dissociation, destructive behavior) have client consult
a psychologist or counselor, naturopath, acupuncturist or other health
care provider.
A Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy Research
Christopher A. Moyer, James Rounds, and James W. Hannum
Anorexia
Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms Reduced by Massage
Appendicitis
Definition: inflammation
of the mucosal lining of the appendix usually followed by infection
Causes: obstruction
of the appendix by fecal matter, inflammation, food , carcinoma, stenosis,
or kinking of the organ
Structures Involved:
mucosal lining
Signs/Symptoms: pain
in lower right quadrant of abdomen, lack or loss of appetite, nausea, and
vomiting. Pain may intensify with sneezing, coughing or with movement
Indications: None
Contraindications:
Refer to physician immediately if acute. Refer to appropriate health
care provider for treatment.
Arthritis
Definintion/Causes/ Symptoms:
Inflammatory joint disease; approximately 25 different types
Most common:
Rheumatoid
- chronic, systemic auto immune disease characterized by joint stiffness
upon awakening that lasts longer than one hour, swelling in specific finger
or wrist joints, movement sounds like crinkling cellophane; most painful
and crippling; possible causes are nutritional deficiencies, stress, bacterial
infection
Osteoarthritis - degenerative
joint disease usually gradual in onset which may involve inflammation,
enlargement of the joint and muscle contracture; cartilage deteriorates
causing irregularities in the gliding surfaces of joints, usually affecting
weight bearing joints; may be caused by previous injuries, loose joints,
hormonal and nutritional deficiencies, poor diet, poor elimination
Infectious arthritis - caused
by bacterial, viral or fungal infection.
Gout - high levels of uric
acid crystals are deposited in the joint; usually the big toe causing swelling,
redness heat and extreme pain; possibly caused by high intake of rich foods
and alcohol
Indications: Massage
Ok; work above area affected to increase circulation and assist in removing
toxins; loosening muscles may be beneficial to osteoarthritis prevention
and treatment
Contraindications: Avoid
inflammation; Check medications; Steroid use may cause brittle bones and
problems with internal organs. Refer to appropriate health care provider.
Resources:
Balneotherapy Eases Osteoarthritis
Spa Therapy for Osteoarthritis
Massage Today : Traumatic arthritis
From the Touch Research Institute:
"Children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis were massaged by their parents 15 minutes a day for 30 days (and a control group engaged in relaxation therapy). The children’s anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels were immediately decreased by the massage, and over the 30-day period their pain decreased on self-reports, parent reports, and their physician’s reports.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Seligman, S., Krasnegor, J. & Sunshine, W. (1997). Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Benefits from massage therapy. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22, 607-617."
Spondylolisthesis: An Elusive Cause of Low Back Pain By Whitney Lowe, LMT, NCTMB
Asthma
Definition : Muscular
contraction of the bronchial tubes of the lungs characterized by
wheezing and breathing difficulty. The spasms are a result of chronic inflammation
or hypersensitivity of the airways to certain stimuli such as an allergenic
substance.
Causes: May be allergic
reaction, may be due to lack of water, adrenal disorders, anxiety, exercise,
low blood sugar, stress, possibly hereditary.
Signs/Symptoms: Bronchial
tubes become filled with mucous, tightness in the chest, wheezing, coughing,
difficulty exhaling, may be exercise induced
Indications:
May be induced by trigger points in the serratus posterior superior.
Also check scalenes, intercostals, serratus posterior inferior, diaphragm,
psoas. May be beneficial to open up the fascia of the thoracic region.
General relaxation for stress management. Breathing exercises to
activate nervous system.
Contraindications
: Client may be taking steroids which may cause deterioration of internal
organs and bones. Refer to appropriate health care provider.
Astigmatism
Definition:
Imperfect refractive powers of the eye in which refraction of several meridians
of the eyeball is affected, usually due to a change in the curvature of
the cornea and lens; images do not focus properly on the eye.
Indications:
Massage OK; refer to eye exercises and eye relaxation.
Contraindications:
None; be alert for contact lenses. Refer to Bates Vision specialist.
Athlete's Foot
Definition: Fungal
infection of the foot
Causes: Warmth and
dampness of the feet; destruction of beneficial bacteria in the body may
add to spread (antibiotic use)
Symptoms: Inflammation,
burning, itching, scaling, cracking, blisters
Indications:
Tea tree oil may help.
Contraindications:
May be contagious if the right environment exists: Avoid inflammation.
Refer to appropriate health care provider.
Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis
Definition: Hardening
of the arteries due to build up of calcium (arteriosclerosis) or fatty
substances (atherosclerosis); circulation becomes impaired causing high
blood pressure, chest pain, heart attack, stroke
Causes: Smoking,
hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, genetics, lack of exercise, poor
diet of fatty foods, obesity, stress: The arteries are damaged by
free radicals and the constant constriction that smoking causes.
The fatty substances are deposited in damaged areas, causing constriction.
Signs/Symptoms: may
be in legs - aching muscles, fatigue, numbness, heavy feeling in legs,
high blood pressure, aneurysms, thrombus, heart attack, arrhythmia
Indications: Massage
may assist in making lifestyle changes, reducing stress, detoxification.
Contraindications: May
be on anticoagulant medications which may cause bruising during treatment;
refer to appropriate health care provider; Can be Reversed through
Diet Modification and Exercise. Refer to appropriate health care provider
for lifestyle changes. Physician monitoring is recommended.
Atopic dermatitis
Definition: Inflammation
of the skin: sometimes eczema is given this general title.
Causes: allergies(
wheat, chemicals, dairy), poor diet ( too much sugar, white flour, fats,
fried foods, processed foods), stress, chronic tension, toxic colon, hereditary
Signs/Symptoms: itching,
red skin, papules, vesicles, crust, scaling, flaking, thickening of skin
usually behind the knees, elbows or on face
Indications: Poultices
may be helpful ( chaparral, dandelion, yellow dock root). Vitamin
E in oil may be beneficial
Contraindications: Refer
to appropriate health care provider.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Definition: disorder
of the nervous system seen mostly in children but also in adults
Causes: heredity,
prenatal problems, deprivation of oxygen at birth, chemical pollutants,
heavy metal toxicity, artificial food additives in diet, allergies to foods
such as dairy products or wheat, blood sugar imbalances, lack of
protein in diet, phosphates in sodas may cause hyperkinesis ( exaggerated
muscle activity)
Signs/Symptoms:
Hyperactivity, learning disabilities, lack of concentration, difficulty
solving problems, sleep disturbances, emotional instability
Indications:
Massage for stress reduction: grounding
Contraindications:
Ritalin may cause slow down in growth in bones and muscles of children:
Refer to appropriate health care provider for nutritional and lifestyle
changes.
Links- Attention Deficit Disorder
The ADD Answer: How to Help Your Child Now--With Questionnaires and Family-Centered Action Plans to Meet Your Child's Specific Needs (Hardcover)
by Frank Lawlis, Phil McGraw
Books: The ADD Answer: How to Help Your Child
Now--With Questionnaires and Family-Centered Action Plans to Meet Your Child's Specific Needs
by Frank Lawlis, Phil McGraw (Foreword)
"Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
"Adolescents with ADHD displayed less anxiety, daydreaming behaviors,
inappropriate emotions and hyperactivity, and their conduct improved after
participating in Tai Chi classes.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., & Thimas, E. (2001). Attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder: benefits from Tai Chi. Journal of Bodywork and
Movement Therapies, 5, 120-123.
Adolescents with ADHD rated themselves as happier and were
observed to fidget less after massage sessions. Also, teachers rated adolescents
receiving massage as less hyperactive and as spending more time on-task.
Field, T., Quintino, O. & Hernandez-Reif, M., & Koslovsky, G. (1998).
Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder benefit from massage
therapy. Adolescence, 33, 103-108.
The present study involved 30 children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 18 diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The children were randomly assigned to a wait-list control and a massage group. Mood state improved for the massage but not the control group based on smiley face and thermometer scales. The massage group also improved in classroom behavior in the areas of the Conners Teacher Rating Scales on anxiety, daydreaming and hyperactivity.
Khilnani, S., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Schanberg, S. (2003). Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Adolescence, 38, 623-38."
Autism
Definition: Mental,
physical, neurological disorder in which children withdraw from life
Causes: viruses,
vaccines, food allergies (wheat, dairy), brain injury, candida overgrowth
Signs/Symptoms: socially
withdrawn, unable to communicate, lack of feeling or awareness, hyperactive,
low blood sugar, digestive disorders ( celiacs disease, crohn's, ulcerative
colitis, anemia), malabsorption
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction, release spastic muscles
Contraindications:
Caution: May lack feeling or awareness so begin lightly and work gradually
deeper.
Links
Center for Study of Autism
Autism Network
for Dietary Intervention
Massage Today Article: Autism and Treatment With Therapeutic Massage By Michael Regina-Whiteley
Naturopathy Digest - Autism and the Neurological Response Part Three of Three in a Series on Children and Autism By Jared M. Skowron, ND- Autism is totally treatable.
|
© 1999-2008 www.thebodyworker.com
copyright info and
disclaimer Privacy Policy About
Me
Contact
Me Site Map
My other sites:
|
