Pathology for Massage Therapists
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.
(alphabetical by disease, syndrome or problem)
See also
Clinical Massage Section
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.
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.
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