February 9, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Endocrine pathologies effect growth and development by altering the secretion and production of hormones in the body. One example of this that is very pertinent to today’s society is diabetes. Diabetes insipidus is caused by a posterior pituitary gland dysfunction that results in deficient production of anti-diuretic hormone (Salvo, 178). Diabetes Mellitus deals with insulin production and pancreatic dysfunction. Diabetes Mellitus can be Type 1, in which the patient has a deficiency of insulin that requires injections, or Type 2 where insulin is produced but does not enter cells. Type 2 can be treated by diet, exercise and weight loss. In terms of the effect on massage, therapists need to be aware of injection sites (if applicable) as massage in these areas may increase the local blood flow and insulin may enter the blood rapidly. Lighter pressure may be needed for clients with accompanying neuropathy that may exist with diabetes. The therapist should also know when the client last ate, and should be prepared in case the client has an emergency. Due to the prevalence of diabetes in today’s society, this is an area in which therapists should have a large knowledge base.
In general, therapists should be on the lookout for lumps, masses, nodules or pigmentation changes (among other signs and symptoms) when doing a premassage assessment or during a massage. It is important that the client be referred to a physician in order to receive proper treatment for these conditions that are often related to endocrine pathologies.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Endocrine System Pathologies
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February 9, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Therapies such as massage, physical and occupational directly affect the nervous system. I have chosen 2 areas of interest due to the multitude of nervous pathologies presented.
Not only is knowledge of the nervous system highly important for understanding why various massage techniques can be helpful or harmful, but it is also crucial understand the impact of prescription medications on a client in order to keep him or her safe. For example, Table 5.1 gives a brief overview of medications that are typically prescribed for mood disorders, and the possible side effects that could impact treatment. A client on a particular medication may have a decreased response to stimuli. Because massage therapists use the client’s response to various pressures and movements, he or she may be injured due to the therapist inadvertently applying excessive pressure.
Another piece of Chapter 5 that was of particular interest to me was the small portion devoted to Cerebral Palsy. Working in special education, I find that many times individuals automatically assume that the individual has impaired mental functioning, although with this disorder, intelligence may or may not be affected. Although the client may appear to be severely disabled, he or she should not be treated as though they have a cognitive disability or impaired mental functioning. If the client is unable to speak, it is important to speak and interact with the client as you would any other client, and make every effort to communicate effectively so that the individual feels comfortable and can let the therapist know of pressure points, etc. Some individuals may also use a communication device or have the assistance of a caregiver or interpreter- both of which should be taken advantage of in terms of maximizing communication with the client.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Nervous System Pathologies, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 5, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Musculoskeletal pathologies are often accompanied by severe or persistent pain, decreased mobilization, or postural distortion. Information about such pathologies should be gained during an intake assessment. If clearance has not been given by a medical doctor, the client should first see a physician if such symptoms are present. The musculoskeletal system is directly affected by massage. Going into the field of Occupational Therapy, I feel that maintaining and increasing a person’s mobility and flexibility is vital to improving a person’s quality of life, especially in those individuals with musculoskeletal pathologies. In my personal opinion, the massage considerations in this chapter were especially descriptive and helpful- as massage directly affects this system and could easily harm rather than help the client.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Musculoskeletal Pathologies, Massage Occupational Therapy, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 5, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
A person’s skin serves a multitude of functions. Not only does the skin provide a physical, biological, and chemical barrier, but it is also serves to assist in body temperature regulation as well as a sensory receptor. In terms of Massage Therapy, knowledge of the various dermatological pathologies is crucial due to the fact that skin conditions can be both contagious and “telling” of other conditions. This is not only important to prevent the spread of dermatological pathologies, but understanding which pathologies may cause the client to be sensitive in certain areas. This information is essential in terms of knowing which techniques are appropriate and which should be avoided while the condition and symptoms are being experienced. That being said, skin pathologies are numerous and varying. Therapists must work in conjunction with other care providers such as medical doctors in order to best serve the client.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Skin Dermatological Pathologies
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February 5, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
A portion of Chapter 2 was devoted to questions to ask a client during the premassage assessment. While the questions provide critical information to the therapist, I also feel that asking these questions in the appropriate progression and in the appropriate manner can be a major contributing factor of how comfortable the client feels. In my personal experience, I feel most comfortable when I know that my doctor, care provider or therapist knows as much information about me as possible. Being able to elaborate on various conditions and describe pains and symptoms to the therapist can provide a sense of both relief and comfort. I believe this all ties into the “Personal Professionalism” described by Salvo on page 24. “The therapist is professional in appearance and mannerism, and is knowledgeable, skilled, self-aware, focused, calm, confident, and prepared.”
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Assessment, Massage Therapy Personal Professionalism, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 2, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Chapter 1, in giving an overview of pathology, brings to the forefront the idea of awareness of various pathologies. An individual in the field of massage (or similar environment involving direct, physical patient contact) needs to be aware of pathologies that exist and could be transferred from the client to the therapist or vice versa. Having not only awareness but a knowledge base of pathology will allow the therapist to make appropriate choices in terms of treatment.
A particular portion of Chapter 1 that sparked some interest was that of predisposing factors/risk factors that make an individual more likely to contract a disease or accelerate the onset of a condition. A question was asked as a part of the discussion “What choices can you make to counteract them (the predisposing factors)?” While age and gender are not able to be controlled, adults and adolescents can often make decisions in terms of lifestyle, environment and stress that could contribute or counteract the risk factors for certain diseases. However, there is a certain age when these things become “controllable”. Young children who are not able to control their environment can be susceptible to diseases due to higher risk factors. Rickets is an example of this. Children who lack Vitamin D are at a higher risk for developing rickets.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Assessment, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 1, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Chapter 12 covers the causes of cancer and neoplasia, benefits of massage for cancer patients, the development of cancer and tumors, current treatments for cancer, guidelines for massage therapists, how to assess a client with cancer, and special considerations during treatment. This chapter emphasizes the special needs of clients with cancer and how to support them, when to avoid treatment, and adjusting pressure as needed.
Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cancer Malignancy, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 1, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Chapter 11 covers the reproductive system and other related issues including assessment of the reproductive system, breast implants, how to identify reproductive system disease & disorder, risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases, and the pathologies and life stages of the reproductive system. This chapter emphasizes the reproductive organs and functions, the role of hormones, the prenatal cycle, STD transmission, pregnancy, and other considerations.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Reproductive System Conditions, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 1, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Chapter 10 covers the urinary system and how to assess the client for urinary system disease, disorder, and pathology including renal dialysis. The emphasis of this chapter is the function of the urinary system to flush wastes from the body, kidney functions, the relationship of blood and the urinary system, assessment and observations of the client for symptoms, edema, discoloration, and other indications of urinary disease & disorder.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Urinary System Pathology, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 1, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Chapter 9 covers a review of the gastrointestinal system including assessment, ileostomies and colostomies, massaging large clients, and identifying gastrointestinal pathologies. This chapter emphasizes the importance and classes of nutrients, gastrointestinal structures, the digestive process, accessory and digestive organs, infections, disease, and disorders of these systems.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Gastrointestinal Pathology, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 1, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Chapter 8 covers a review and the assessment of the respiratory system, medications used to treat respiratory disorders, and how to identify respiratory disease. This chapter emphasizes the functions of the respiratory system, air movement, pulmonary ventilation, when to refer out, and the many diseases & disorders of these systems.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Respiratory System Pathology, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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February 1, 2010 by Massage Pathology Chronicles
Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.
Chapter 7 covers a review of the cardiovascular and lymphatic/immune systems including assessment, medications, artificial pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, central venous catheters, and how to identify cardiovascular and lymphatic/immune diseases, disorders, and cardiovascular pathologies. This chapter emphasizes how the fluids (blood, interstitial fluids, and lymph) function, the relationship of all the circulation aspects of each system, immunity, and the assessment of disease, disorder, and pathology relative to massage therapy.
Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Lymphatic Immune System Pathologies, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists
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