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Pathology for Massage Therapists
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Paget's Disease
Definition: disease
of bones; bones are replaced with structurally deficient bone deficient
in calcium and weaker than normal
Causes: unknown;
may be viral infection, heredity; often confused with hyperthyroidism,
bone cancer; must be diagnosed with bone scans, CT scans, MRI, urine
tests, and bone biopsy
Signs/Symptoms: mild
to moderate pain, worse with exertion, unexplained bone fractures, headaches,
dizziness, ringing in the ears, impaired mobility, may cause deformities
such as bowed legs, bent spine
Indications: N/A;
Reiki
Contraindications:
Massage not recommended because of the lack of structure of the bones
Pancreatitis
Definition: inflammation
of the pancreas; usually from an obstruction of the pancreatic duct
Causes: gallstones,
scarring from alcohol damage, cancerous tumor, viral infection, injury,
obesity, poor nutrition, drug use
Signs/Symptoms: pain
around navel area and back, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling and distention,
fever, sweating , muscle aches, digestive difficulties
Indications: Massage
for stress and pain reduction
Contraindications:
Refer to Physician: Refer to appropriate health care practitioner after
stabilized for treatment
Paralysis
Definition: diminished
or total loss of motor function
Causes: trauma, injury,
nerve impingement or compression, tumors
Signs/Symptoms: weakness,
loss of movement, loss of muscle tone
Indications: Massage
for relief of impingement or compression: movement reeducation for complete
paralysis
Contraindications:
Caution: unable to feel pain
Parkinson's Disease
Definition: degenerative
disease of the nervous system
Causes: unknown;
related to lack of dopamine in brain, dopamine receptors blocked; chemical
toxicity
Sign/Symptoms: tremor
of hand or hands, fatigue, muscular stiffness, muscular rigidity, shuffling
gait, impaired speech, depression, dementia
Indications: Massage
to reduce stiffness, stress
Contraindications:
Medications for this disease can cause kidney, liver problems, more stiffness,
discoloration of skin, nightmares, fatigue. Refer to Naturopath and Acupuncturist
for detoxification and treatment
Research:
Trager For Parkinson's Disease and Rigidity - Massage Magazine
Massage Reduces Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
Parkinsonism by Ruth Werner
Spa Therapy Benefits Parkinson's Patients
Alexander Technique Benefits People with Parkinson's Disease
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Definition: inflammation
of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and surrounding tissue
Causes: bacteria
introduced through intercourse, gonorrhea
Signs/Symptoms: pelvic
pain, painful abscesses of the reproductive organs, vaginal discharge,
fever
Indications: N/A
Contraindications:
Refer to Physician
Peripheral Neuropathy
Definition: disturbances
and/or pathological changes in the peripheral( lies outside the central
nervous system) nervous system
Causes: diabetic
neuropathy, ischemic neuropathy, trauma
Signs/Symptoms: numbness,
burning, pain
Indications: Massage
Ok
Contraindications:
Have underlying condition diagnosed by appropriate health care practitioner
Peritonitis
Definition: acute
inflammation of the serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering
the abdominal viscera
Causes: bacterial
infection, bacterial contamination from surgery or trauma
Indications: N/A
Contraindications:
Refer to Physician as it may spread to other organs
Phlebitis
Definition: inflammation
of a vein
Causes: blood clot,
trauma, weakening of the vein due to aging
Signs/Symptoms: edema,
stiffness, pain, red streak in vein; often found in leg
Indications:N/A
Contraindications:
Refer to Physician
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome by Whitney Lowe Massage Magazine
Plantar Fasciitis - see
medical massage treatments
Pneumonia
Definition: serious
infection of the lungs
Causes: viral, bacterial,
fungi, protozoa, upper respiratory infection, immune deficiency
Signs/Symptoms:
fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, chills, sore throat, muscle aches,
enlarged lymph nodes
Indications: Massage
at your own risk; may be contagious. Massage for stress reduction
Contraindications:
Refer to Physician if symptoms worsen or persist.
Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Definition: infection
of the central nervous system
Causes: viral
Signs/Symptoms: fever,
headache, stiff neck and back, deep muscle pain, weakness, loss of somatic
reflexes, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, breathing and speaking, lower
body paralysis,
Indications: Massage
ok
Contraindications:
None. Some one with childhood polio can have symptoms later in life. Caution
advised when working with infant who just had polio vaccine as virus may
be transmitted in bodily fluids.
Post Traumatic Stress
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from the Touch Research Institute.
Massage therapy decreased the anxiety, depression and stress
hormone levels (cortisol) of children who had post-traumatic stress disorder
following Hurricane Andrew. In addition, their drawings became less depressed.
Field, T., Seligman, S., Scafidi, F., & Schanberg, S. (1996). Alleviating
postraumatic stress in children following Hurricane Andrew. Journal of
Applied Developmental Psychology, 17, 37-50.
Recovering Body and Soul from Post traumatic Stress disorders Pamela Fitch, Massage Therapy Journal
Postural Deviations (Lordosis, Kyphosis,
scoliosis)
Definition: structural
abnormalities
Causes: due to weakness,
tightness
Signs/Symptoms: poor
posture
Indications: Massage
for realignment, postural re-education
Contraindications:
None
Pregnancy
Definition:
time between conception and birth
Signs/Symptoms: nausea,
vomiting, fatigue
Indications: see
section on Pregnancy Massage Guidelines
Contraindications:
See section on
Pregnancy Massage Guidelines
Perineal Massage May Reduce Third-Degree Tears, Labor Time
Pleurisy
Definition: inflammation
of the pleural membrane
Causes: from surgical
procedure, persistent coughing, trauma
Signs/Symptoms: pain
at sides of ribs, pain with breathing
Indications: Massage
to relieve pain, intercostal work; breathing exercises
Contraindications:
Caution if from trauma
Premenstrual Syndrome
Definition: disorder
in women before menstruation
Causes: hormonal
fluctuations and imbalances, poor diet consisting of sugar and processed
foods, food allergies, hypoglycemia, malabsorption
Signs/Symptoms: abdominal
bloating, fatigue, cramps, headaches, insomnia, joint pain, mood swings,
depression
Indications: Massage
for stress reduction, headache relief, removal of toxins, reduce tension
Contraindications:
touch sensitivity may be heighten during this time, also may be more easily
bruised. Refer to
appropriate health care practitioner. Nutrition and diet need to be addressed.
Massage Relieves Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
Psoriasis
Definition: skin
disease
Causes: heredity,
trauma, infections, seasonal, stress, illness, viral or bacterial infection,
overuse of drugs or alcohol, reaction to medications, faulty utilization
of fat, weakened immune system, build up of toxins in colon
Signs/Symptoms: silvery
scales or red area on skin, ridges on nails, itching
Indications: Massage
for detoxification and stress reduction
Contraindications:
Avoid infected area; Refer to Naturopath and Acupuncturist for detoxification,
diet modification and
treatment
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