Pathology for Massage Therapists
M
Macular Degeneration
Definition: degeneration
of the macula (part of retina that is for fine vision); progressive visual
loss
Causes: free radical
damage, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hereditary, environmental toxins
Signs/Symptoms: loss
of vision; slowly or suddenly, does not affect color or peripheral vision.
Indications: Massage
for detoxification, stress reduction
Contraindications:
Refer to appropriate health care practitioner for treatment; detoxification,
lifestyle and diet changes needed; bilberry extract.
Meniere's Disease
Definition: inner
ear disturbance
Causes: cervical
misalignment, hormonal changes or imbalances, poor circulation, TMJ, allergies,
carbohydrate metabolism problem
Signs/Symptoms: dizziness,
hearing loss, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ear
Indications: With
referral from physician, after ruling out brain dysfunction or tumors;
realign C1, craniosacral work, TMJ realignment, stress reduction
Contraindications:
Refer to appropriate health care practitioner.
Links
www.menieres.org
Meningitis
Definition: infection
of the meninges that lies between the brain and the skull
Causes: viral, bacterial
Signs/Symptoms: high
fever, sore throat, red or purple skin, stiff neck, headache, delirium,
changes in temperament and extreme sleepiness
Indications: N/A
Contraindications:
Highly contagious! Refer to Physician
Menopause Related Problems
Definition: "Change
of Life" for women in which ovulation stops and menstruation ceases indicating
the end of fertility.
Causes: hormonal
changes, production of estrogen and progesterone decreases significantly;
problems caused by improper diet, inactive lifestyles throughout life and
hereditary
Signs/Symptoms: hot
flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, anxiety,
depression, bladder problems, heart palpitations, insomnia
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction, detoxification, self awareness, relaxation of tension
Contraindications:
Refer to appropriate health care practitioner. Most symptoms can
be reduced or eliminated without hormone supplementation if lifestyles
are adjusted in the early 30's. Hormone supplements need further research.
Mesothelioma - see
cancer section
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome: A New Way of Thinking About Long-Term Risk by Ruth
Werner
-
- MRSA:
- By Ruth Werner, LMP, NCTMB
Migraine
Definition: vascular
headache
Causes: excessive
dilation or constriction of the brain's blood vessels; hormonal changes,
stress, improper diet, food allergies, constipation, liver malfunction,
emotional stress, bright lights, low blood sugar, dental problems, TMJ,
changes in weather, triggerpoints in neck, shoulders and back
Signs/Symptoms: throbbing
pain, vision disturbances, nausea, vommiting, tingling and numbness in
the limbs, weakness, may want to be in a dark room
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction and detoxification; release triggerpoints in neck,
shoulders and upper back, craniosacral, postural alignment, ice/heat; if
caught early enough before becoming full attack, migraine may be eliminated
or reduced.
Contraindications: If
in acute stage, client may not want to be touched. May need dark room for
treatment.
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
Mole
Definition: pigmented,
fleshy growth of skin
Signs/Symptoms: watch
for changes in color, size
Indications: Massage
ok
Contraindications:
Refer to Physician when changes occur
Mononucleosis
Definition: infectious
viral disease
Causes: virus; Epstein
Barr related virus
Signs/Symptoms: fever,
fatigue, body aches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in neck, bumpy red
rash, can damage liver
Indications: N/A
Contraindications:
Highly contagious; Refer to Physician
Multiple Sclerosis
Definition: progressive
degenerative disease of the central nervous system; "multiple scarring"
Causes: autoimmune,
stress, malnutrition, chemical poisonings, mercury poisoning
Signs/Symptoms: dizziness,
mood changes, eye problems, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, muscular
stiffness, fatigue, weakness, breathing difficulties; myelin sheaths that
cover nerves are destroyed; periods of remission, urinary problems such
as incontinence and frequency of urination
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction and detoxification, maintain mobility, reduce pain.
Contraindications:
No heat treatments. May be on high doses of steroid drugs. Refer to appropriate
health care practitioner for treatment. Holistic Dentist to remove mercury
fillings. Bee Venom Therapy.
MS and
food - also by Chet Day
National Multiple Sclerosis
Society
www.amalgam.org
Working with Multiple Sclerosis Patients by Ruth Werner
Multiple
Sclerosis The Trager Approach by Deane Juhan
Reflexology Relieves Symptoms of MS
The Cure for Multiple Sclerosis?
- Response of Peripheral and Central Nerve Pathology to
Mega-Doses of the Vitamin B-Complex and Other Metabolites
by Frederich R. Klenner, BS, MS, MD
The protocol of how to effectively treat Multiple Sclerosis, by Frederich R. Klenner. (In two parts, as originally published in 1973.)
Human Herpesvirus 6: An Emerging Pathogen
Gabriella
Campadelli-Fiume, Prisco Mirandola, and Laura Menotti
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy Could MS
caused by HHV6?
Multiple Sclerosis Massage Bibliography Journal Club By Ted Nissen M.A. M.T.
The effectiveness
of Massage therapy on patients with MS - by Mike Dixon
Alternative Therapies and Multiple Sclerosis Searching for Comfort By
Shirley Vanderbilt
Yoga Eases MS Fatigue News Note By Lara Evans Bracciante
Vitamin D Connected to Lower MS Risk News Note By Lara Evans
Bracciante
Muscle Soreness - Massage is Great for muscle soreness from over activity or working out,
but there is some controversy over why it works.
Lactating Mythers (Massage and the Lactic Acid Myth) by Keith Eric Grant
Massage Decreases Intensity of Delayed Soreness
Pub Med
Muscular Dystrophy
Definition: a group
of muscle disorders
Causes: hereditary
Signs/Symptoms: atrophy
of muscles; no nerve involvement
Indications: Massage
to reduce tension, stress reduction
Contraindications:
Refer to appropriate health care practitioner.
Link - Muscular
Dystrophy Association
Myasthenia Gravis
Definition: weakness
of the skeletal muscles
Causes: autoimmune
disorder; abnormality in the neuromuscular junction that prevents
the muscle from contracting
Signs/Symptoms: affects
the muscles of the face and neck most often, may have trouble with eyes,
swallowing, chewing and talking
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction
Contraindications:
May be on steroids or immune suppressants. Refer to appropriate health
care practitioner. Have thyroid checked.
Resources:
Somatics.de - general overview of massage indications
The Doorway to Muscle Contraction Pathology Perspectives By Kalyani
Premkumar. Massage and Bodywork Magazine
The Essential Massage Companion -
Google Book Excerpt
Mosbys Pathology for
Massage Therapists -
Google Book Excerpt
Digital Naturopath for Myasthenia Gravis recommends raw food diet,
gluten free diet,
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (myofibrositis)
Definition: pain
and or autonomic phenomena referred from active trigger points with associated
dysfunction
Causes: trauma, nutritional
deficiencies, fatigue, overwork, stress
Signs/Symptoms: headaches,
trigeminal neuralgia, pain, tenderness with palpation, referred pain, hypertonic
muscles, decreased circulation to the area of tenderness
Indications: Massage
to relieve pain, trigger point therapy, break up adhesions and hypertonic
muscles
Contraindications:
none; refer to appropriate health care practitioner.
See
Trigger point Therapy
Myopia
Definition: nearsightedness;
light comes to focus in front of the retina
Causes: eyestrain,
fatigue
Signs/Symptoms: teary
eyes, fatigued eyes
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction
Contraindications:
Refer to Bates Vision eye specialist for eye exercises.
Myositis Ossificans
Definition: inflammation
of muscle cells leading to ossification ( turns to bone)
Causes: trauma, bruising,
contusions, parasites, congenital, hereditary, progressive degenerative
disease
Signs/Symptoms: pain,
swelling, tenderness
Indications: None
Contraindications: Refer
to Physician
