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Pathology for Massage Therapists
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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Definition: Blood
clot in deep veins ( responsible for 90% of blood flow to the heart from
the legs) usually in the legs such as posterior tibial vein, anterior tibial
vein, popliteal vein, femoral vein; May lead to pulmonary embolism
in which the thrombus dislodges and moves to pulmonary artery or postphlebitic
syndrome which consists of edema, pain and skin changes due to the destruction
of the venous valves.
Causes: unknown:
May be due to injury, tears in the vessel lining, abnormal clotting tendencies,
poor circulation, varicose veins, local infections, surgery, hormonal factors
such as high estrogen birth control pills, nutritional deficiencies that
weaken blood vessels: Factors that increase the risk include childbirth,
surgery trauma, birth control pills, aging
Signs/Symptoms: pain,
swelling, bluish discoloration of the skin, warmth, fever, chills, itchiness:
occurs more frequently in women than in men; occur mainly in calves, thigh
and pelvis. Difficult to diagnose - may be confused with phlebitis
or muscular injury.
Indications: Do not
massage until physician checks condition: Warm moist compresses.
Contraindications:
Do not apply massage directly to area as it may dislodge thrombus: May
be on blood thinner medications such as heparin, coumadin or aspirin -use
caution. Refer to appropriate health care practitioner.
Deep Vein Thrombosis - Google Books
Depression
Definition: whole
body illness affecting the body, mind, spirit. Unipolar disorders - depressive
episodes that reoccur several times. Bipolar disorders usually begin
as depression and progress to mania. Seasonal affective disorder
- become more depressed during winter months with reduction of daylight.
Causes: tension,
stress, chemical imbalances in the brain, heavy metal toxicity, nutritional
deficiencies, thyroid disorders, sugar related problems, poor diet, allergies
to foods or chemicals, dysfunction in neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin,
norepinephrine) caused by inadequate diet.
Signs/Symptoms: withdrawal,
chronic fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, physical pain, digestive disorders,
suicidal tendencies, irritability, anxiety, weight gain,
Indications: Massage for
stress reduction, reduce muscle pain and fatigue, restore sense of self
worth through touch
Contraindications:
Caution: watch for side effects of drugs such as dizziness, irregular heartbeat,
constipation, insomnia. Some common drugs include Prozac, Zoloft,
Asendin, Wellbutrin, steroids.
Refer to appropriate health
care practitioner for care. Bach Flower Remedies.
Links: Dealing
with depression
Thermal Therapy Benefits Depressed Patients Massage Magazine
Massage Therapy in Depressed People by Pamela Fitch, Massage Therapy Journal
Dementia
The Hidden Patient Polarity Therapy for Dementia Caregivers By Shirley Vanderbilt :Massage and Bodywork Magazine
Rewarding Work Massaging Clients with Dementia By Cynthia Bologna Massage and Bodywork Magazine
Diabetes Mellitus
Definition: defective
insulin production in the body. Type I- insulin dependent.
Type II - non-insulin dependent
Causes: hereditary,
improper carbohydrate metabolism, hypothyroidism, obesity, high fat intake,
hyperglycemia
Signs/Symptoms: blurred
vision, itching, unusual thirst, fatigue, skin infections, tingling or
numbness in the feet, flulike symptoms, loss of hair on the legs, increased
facial hair, small yellow bumps on body, frequent urination
Indications: Massage
to increase circulation, stress reduction.
Contraindications:
Work with appropriate health care practitioner with diet and lifestyle
changes. Caution with diabetic neuropathy and other complications
such as cardiovascular disease, ulcers, kidney disease, amputations, impaired
vision.
Links-
American
Diabetes Association
Diabetes
Monitor
Therapeutic massage and Diabetes - Mary Kathleen Rose.
Massage Therapy Journal
Diabetic Retinopathy
Definition: Capillaries
that nourish the retina leak fluid or blood that can damage the rod and
cone cells
Causes: diabetes
Signs/Symptoms: vision
disturbances, loss of vision: may have no symptoms until relatively
advanced
Indications: Massage
ok
Contraindications:
Work with physician for diabetic condition
Diarrhea
Definition: frequent
and loose watery stools
Causes: bacterial,
viral, food poisoning, parasites, caffeine, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's
disease, incomplete digestion, stress
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction: May occur after massage due to release of toxins
and increase in circulation
Contraindications:
Dehydration may be present: Refer to Naturopath, Acupuncturist for
treatment. Physician may be needed if problems result.
Disc problems: (deterioration, protrusion,
herniation, rupture)
Definition: general
category of problems that occur with the discs in the spinal column
Deterioration: disc
degenerates over time until the disc loses integrity and presses on surrounding
structures (protrusion). Herniation or rupture ( leakage of nucleus) may
also result
Causes: injury, trauma,
nutritional deficiencies, allergies, stress, poor posture, weak ligaments.
Signs/Symptoms: reduction
of lordosis, pain, referred pain down leg (usually along dermatome), numbness,
shooting pain, tingling, muscle weakness.
Indications: Massage
to reduce inter-disc pressure; psoas, adductors, erectors spinae; realignment
therapy; Movement re-education; Hot, moist peat packs. Correct posture
and body mechanics.
Contraindications:
Refer to appropriate health care practitioner for accurate diagnosis;
Osteopaths and Chiropractors that deal with disc problems. Acupuncturists/Naturopaths
to address lifestyle changes. Physical therapist for strengthening.
Healing Back Pain :
The Mind-Body Connection (Paperback)
by John E. Sarno "I have never seen a patient with pain in the neck, shoulders, back or buttocks who didn't believe that the pain was due to an..
Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment (Lww Massage Therapy & Bodywork Series) (Hardcover)
by James H. Clay, David M. Pounds
Clinical Massage
Therapy: Understanding, Assessing and Treating Over 70 Conditions (Paperback)
by Fiona Rattray (Author), Linda Ludwig (Author)
Travell & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction:
The Trigger Point Manual (2-Volume Set) (Hardcover)
by David G. Simons, Janet G. Travell, Lois S. Simons, Barbara D. Cummings
Dislocations
Definition: displacement
of a bone from a joint with tearing of ligaments, tendons and articular
capsules
Causes: trauma, injury;
trauma usually from a pulling out of the joint; increased risk of dislocation
after first time
Signs/Symptoms: pain,
swelling, inflammation, hypermobililty in joint or lack of mobility, muscular
contraction holding joint in place
Indications: Treatment
after initial injury is realignment from a MD, ND, DC or other professional.
Massage to reduce inflammation, reduce pain, realign structure, restore
ROM, reduce scar tissue formation and muscle spasm.
Contraindications:
Caution advised. Have injury assessed by appropriate health care practitioner
Diverticulitis /Diverticulosis
Definition: Inflammation
of mucous membranes of the lining of the colon forming diverticuli ( sac
like outpouchings of the wall of the colon when the muscles become weak);
particles get caught in diverticuli and become infected or inflamed
Causes: lack of sufficient
bulk in the colon during segmentation (movement of the small intestine),
food allergies, low-fiber diet, hereditary, obesity, coronary artery disease
Signs/Symptoms: gas,
bloating, diarrhea, pain, stress, cramping, nausea, constant need to eliminate,
tenderness on left side of abdomen, constipation
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction, increase peristalsis, reduce pain; Visceral manipulation
Contraindications:
Refer to Naturopath or Acupuncturist for diet modification and treatment.
Inflammation may cause obstruction in colon or abscesses.
Dizziness
Definition: light
headed feeling or feeling of imbalance
Causes: Dehydration,
inner ear problems, vertebral misalignment, Trigger points in Sternocleidomastoid,
premenstrual symptom, pre-menopausal symptom, stress induced, anxiety,
virus, brain tumor, cerebral circulation blockage, thyroid
imbalance, fibromyalgia.
Indications:
Massage for stress reduction, muscle trigger point release; SCM's,
Longus coli, Occipital ridge, trapezius; balance alignment.
Contraindications:
May be worse from turning head certain way, or getting up quickly:
Refer to appropriate health care practitioner for therapy: Refer
to Physician if condition worsens. Chiropractic may help with vertebral
alignment.
Dry Skin
Definition: imbalance
of oils and moisture in the skin
Causes: hereditary,
poor diet, environmental factors such as wind and cold, cosmetics, nutritional
deficiencies, constant hand washing
Signs/Symptoms: dull
looking skin, readily wrinkles, chapping, cracking
Indications: Use
Aloe Vera, Vitamin E based oils and lotion
Contraindications: Severely
cracked and bleeding skin should be avoided; Refer to appropriate health
care provider
Duodenal Ulcer
Definition: crater
like lesion in the first part of the duodenum
Causes: hypersecretion
of acidic gastric juice: may be caused by stress, emotions, food reaction
or drug reaction, over stimulation of the vagus nerve
Signs/Symptoms: burning
pain that feels better after eating
Indications: Massage
to reduce stress
Contraindications:
Work with guidance of Naturopath, Acupuncturist, Physician. Diet
modification and lifestyle changes needed.
Dupuytren's Contracture (palmar fasciitis)
Definition: thickening of
the palmar fascia that restricts movement in the fingers - usually the
ring finger.
Causes: repetitive stress,
genetics, nutritional deficiencies; may be related to alcoholism and epilepsy.
Signs/Symptoms: loss of
movement in fingers, hardening of the palmar fascia.
Indications: Massage to
release contracture, paraffin baths, stretching
Contraindications: Surgery
may be necessary to stop the contracture and restore movement.
Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment (Lww Massage Therapy & Bodywork Series) (Hardcover)
by James H. Clay, David M. Pounds
Clinical Massage
Therapy: Understanding, Assessing and Treating Over 70 Conditions (Paperback)
by Fiona Rattray (Author), Linda Ludwig (Author)
Travell & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction:
The Trigger Point Manual (2-Volume Set) (Hardcover)
by David G. Simons, Janet G. Travell, Lois S. Simons, Barbara D. Cummings
Dysmenorrhea
Definition: Painful
menstruation
Causes: forceful
contraction of the uterus, may be caused by poor diet, stress, chemical
toxicity, endometriosis, overproduction of prostaglandins, lack of progesterone
Signs/Symptoms: headaches,
nausea, vomiting, fatigue, nervousness, heavy periods, clotting, pain,
sacroiliac subluxation, fibroids.
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction, castor oil packs for abdomen; psoas and iliacus work
may help ( Ask client first)
Contraindications:
Refer to Naturopath, Acupuncturist for nutritional support: Have
client checked for endometriosis or other pathology.
Dystonia
Definition: sustained muscular
contraction with abnormal posture
Causes: chemical imbalances,
trauma, heredity
Signs/Symptoms: foot cramps,
illegible handwriting, foot drop, tremor, speech problems, spasmodic torticollis,
jaw problems, writers cramp; Associated with Huntington's disease, ALS,
MD
Indications:
Contraindications:
Links :
Dystonia
Dialogue
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