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Pathology for Massage Therapists
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Back Pain- See Separate Section on Back Pain
Neck Pain
Baker's Ganglion Cyst
Definition: Cyst
in synovial lining of knee containing fluid
Causes: trauma,
hereditary, infection, or parasitic obstruction
Signs/Symptoms: round to
ovoid mass that may be soft but more often is firm due to the fluid build
up
Indications: Treat
area above cyst; addressing hamstrings, adductors
Contraindications: Avoid
deep direct pressure on cyst; Cyst may become large enough that it impinges
nerves or blood flow through leg; Blood clotting is also a possibility;
have checked for thrombosis if necessary. Watch for signs of coldness,
clamminess and edema.
Bell's Palsy
Definition: Paralysis
of facial muscles (peripheral neuritis-inflammation of nerve)
Causes: Infection
or compression of VII cranial nerve (motor neuron responsible for facial
expression, blinking eyes and some taste): TMJ, stress induced, tumor,
bone spur, upper cervical misalignment/subluxation, middle ear infections;
sometimes associated with diabetes, Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre, toxins,
upper respiratory infection, herpes virus.
Signs/Symptoms: loss
of taste, loss of feeling in face, lack of muscle control in cheek, face,
eyelids, mouth; usually on one side.
Indications: Relaxation
massage: facial exercises for reawakening face muscles; hot/cold contrast
therapy; work cervical vertebrae to relieve any compression, TMJ re-alignment.
Chiropractic may assist healing.
Contraindications:
Refer to physician for diagnosis to rule out stroke; Do Not Knead or over-stretch
flaccid facial muscles.
Biceps Strain
Boil (furnuncle)
Definition: Pus filled
cavity formed by infection of hair follicle or sebaceous gland. (staphylococcus
infection)
Causes: bacterial,
trauma, chemical irritation, excessive
sweating, infection
Signs/Symptoms: subcutaneous
swelling around hair shaft, with pain and tenderness
Indications: Massage
may assist in healing by increasing circulation; Hot compresses, clay compresses.
Contraindications:
Avoid infected, inflamed area; Contraindicated if other symptoms such as
fever, inflamed lymph nodes are present.
Link - Dermnet.org
Breast Cancer
Definition: There
are many types of breast cancer. abnormal, malignant growth in breast tissue;
found in both men and women.
Causes: Excess estrogen,
environmental toxins, high fat diets, stress
Signs/Symptoms: firm
lump which are usually pain free( but not always) Biopsy is the only way
to diagnose cancer
Indications: Massage
may spread cancer although this has not been proven; working on sides of
rib cage and under bra line may increase circulation to reduce risk.
Relaxation and moving lymph is the focus
Contraindications:
Get physicians referral and clients permission. Explain all the possibilities.
Refer to Naturopath and/or acupuncturist for treatment
www.cancer.org
Books - Medicine Hands:
Massage Therapy for People With Cancer (Paperback)
by Gayle MacDonald
Breast Massage Resources:
By Bruno Chikly, MD, DO (hon.)
Massage Versus Relaxation for Breast Cancer
Bronchitis
Definition: Inflammation
or obstruction of the bronchi ( breathing tubes that lead to lungs)
Causes: infection,
viral, bacterial, chlamydial, mycoplasmal, or a combination of agents,
May be also brought on by exposure to smoke or other fumes, allergies
Signs/Symptoms: upper
respiratory infection, build up of mucus, coughing, fever, pain fatigue,
sore throat, chills, spasm; heart works harder when breathing limited
Indications: Massage
to relieve congestion, open breathing in rib area, cleansing; Eucalyptus
oil may assist in breathing. Add moisture to the air. Breathing exercises
may stimulate nervous system and ease breathing difficulties.
Contraindications:
Do not work on when fever present: May be contagious so use caution.
Bruising
Definition: pooling
of blood from injury to tissue beneath the skin; resistance to or lack
of feeling in body
Causes: If from bodywork-
lack of awareness and resistance in client and/or lack of awareness
in practitioner: Trauma, poor diet, anemia, overweight, menstruation, anticlotting
drugs; bruising without a known cause can be an early sign of cancer
Signs/symptoms: pain,
swelling, discoloration of skin starting out red or purple/bluish and may
turn yellow/green
Indications: If bruising
is from treatment, adjust pressure ; suggest icing of area after treatment
; apply witch hazel after treatment.
Contraindications:
If client bruises easily, refer to Naturopath and/or Acupuncturist for
nutritional and herbal therapy
See
My personal story on bruising
Bruxism (tooth grinding)
Definition:
grinding of teeth together, most often during sleep
Causes: Stress,
tooth sensitivity to heat or cold, problems in blood sugar levels, neck
problems such as C1 misalignment, scoliosis or other postural deviation
Signs/Symptoms: loosened
teeth, cracked teeth, headaches, jaw pain, TMJ
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction, cranio-sacral work to realign cranium, TMJ realignment
Contraindications: Refer
to appropriate health care provider
Bunions (hallux valgu - laterally deviated
big toe)
Definition: Inflammation
of the big toe joint
Causes: genetic,
improper alignment of posture with weight distributed on medial foot (scoliosis),
bad fitting shoes, high heels which cause the foot to overarch and places
more pressure on the medial side of the foot.
Signs/Symptoms: enlarged
big toe joint, redness, inflammation, pain
Indications: Massage
to break up adhesions: Move toe laterally and tap on side of joint; Work
area between big toe and second toe. Realign foot; Structural
realignment. Castor oil poultices may relieve pain.
Contraindications:
Caution around inflammation. Surgery may be done to remove the bunion
in extreme cases.
Burns
Definition: 1st degree
- affects only outer layer of skin, causing redness and sensitivity; sunburn
2nd degree - extend into
the underlying skin layers and are characterized by redness, blistering,
and acute pain
3rd degree - destroys skin
layer and possibly more; skin may be red, white or yellowish, or
leathery and black. Nerves in skin may be damaged
Indications: 1st
degree may be ok to massage lightly mainly to apply cream or aloe vera
gel; All others direct contact contraindicated until healed. Work
around area to tolerance. Manual Lymph Drainage.
Contraindications:
Refer to appropriate health care provider.
Bursitis
Definition: Inflammation
of a bursa - the small fluid filled synovial sacs between tendons, ligaments
and bone that minimize friction. Sacs are very rich in nerves and blood
vessels. False bursas may form over some bony point that has become prominent
due to disease or deformity.
Causes: bacterial
infection, injury, chronic overuse, misalignment of joint, allergic reactions
to food or airborne particles, calcium deposits, tight muscles; Hip and
shoulder and elbow joints most affected.
Signs/Symptoms: pain,
tenderness, limitation of movement, redness, swelling: dull persistent
pain that increases with movement;
Common locations: subdeltoid,
subacromion (jackhammerer's shoulder), olecranon (student's elbow), pre
and supra patella (housemaid's knee), retrocalcaneal (achilles), ischial
(weaver's bottom), first metacarpal.
Indications: Massage
to reduce pain and inflammation, relieve tight muscles, realign areas affected
to reduce area of friction, limit adhesion formation, relieve trigger points,
gymnastics. Heat to relax muscle, Ice to reduce swelling or pain.
Contraindications:
May need to work above and below area, not directly on it unless you know
otherwise. Be cautious working on a painful ROM limited joint that is undiagnosed.
Bursa easily
aggravated by movement and pressure in early stages of inflammation.
Once aggravated they are easily re-aggravated.
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