Pathology for Massage Therapists

(alphabetical by disease, syndrome or problem)

A	B	C	D	E
F	G	H	I	J
K	L	M	N	O
P	R	S	T	U-,Z

Pathology Resources

Disclaimer: This information is provided as reference material only. A massage therapist is not legally allowed to diagnose disease, but should be able to recognize various symptoms and determine when a client needs to be referred to another

practitioner. It is also necessary to know about diseases that your clients may have so that you may develop a safe and appropriate treatment plan. Contact the referring physician with any questions. Discontinue treatment if you do not feel comfortable treating someone with any of the diseases, signs, or symptoms listed here. This information is provided to be used at your own risk. There may be other treatment guidelines. Keep searching until you find one that works for you and your client. The information here has been collected from a variety of sources and personal experience.

Pathology is the study of disease and disease processes. Health is more than just an absence of disease. It is a combination of mental, physical and spiritual functioning. The body has the amazing ability to adapt to the stress of living and maintain itself. It is influenced by genetics, lifestyle, diet, mental processes, spirituality and even past lives. Dysfunction occurs when the disease process is beginning. A person may not be really sick yet, but not be feeling well. A person may not be diagnosed with a disease until it has progressed beyond dysfunction. Disease occurs when the body can no longer adapt to a stress (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual). Diseases are usually diagnosed by signs ( measurable changes) and symptoms (things that are felt by the client only).

Appropriate health care providers include Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, Hypnotherapists, Psychologists, Counselors, and Physicians. It is important to develop a good working relationship with all practitioners and keep them informed of any changes in your clients condition.

The links are provided as a resource to continue investigation into the disease or symptom. www.thebodyworker.com does not endorse products or sites nor do I have any association with the site or information provided.

Contraindications for Massage -When I first started massage in 1987, giving a massage to anyone with cancer in any shape or form was strictly contraindicated. Today, after much research and practice, cancer is no longer contraindicated. If it says somewhere that massage is contraindicated, do your research, talk to physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists and massage clients safely. I have a list of some general contraindications and endangerment sites to help you get started.