Massage Pathology Chronicles

Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson. Within the course of Dr. Johnson.

Chapter 7 has quite a long introduction. That is justifiable, though. After all, there are many different subsystems and tissues, even a whole second system, the lymphatic/endocrine system, all related or incorporated into the circulatory system. More than justifiable, it’s full of useful and clear diagrams that effectively clarify parts and pieces of both the circulatory system and lymphatic system. I have to admit, though, that I was surprised at just how far beyond varicose and spider veins this chapter would go, including special massage instructions for edema, Sickle Cell Disease, and Raynaud’s Syndrome. I have a feeling this chapter will stay permanently bookmarked, as some of these ailments are relevant to the focus of my future business.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Pathologies, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists

Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson. Within the course of Dr. Johnson.

Chapter 7 is an overview of cardiovascular, lymphatic, and immune systems. It shows how to do an assessment, talks about the related medications, artificial pacemakers & defibrillators, catheters, and how to identify related diseases, disorders, and pathologies. This chapter shows how blood, interstitial fluids, and lymph function and their relationship to circulation, plus the assessment of disease, disorder, and pathology for massage therapists.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Disorders, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists

Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson. Within the course of Dr. Johnson.

Chapter 7 discusses the cardiovascular and lymphatic/immune systems as well as the therapeutic assessment of, related pathology and massage indication for these systems. The text notes that heart disease and cardiovascular disorders are among the most prevalent diseases in industrialized countries. In looking at the reasons for this high prevalence rate, there are several factors indicated. Diet, lifestyle, and genetics all play a role in the rise of heart disease. In industrialized countries, there tend to be a popular culture of diets that are higher in meat and dairy, which can contribute to heart disease and cardiovascular disorders. Industrialized countries, as compared to other countries, also tend to have a more sedentary lifestyle. This may be due to the technological advances easily available to those populations, as well as the nature of the occupations people engage in. In industrialized countries, people are more likely to work in a setting that does not require physical or manual labor, and then return home by car or subway and sit and watch television, or engage in other recreation that is more sedentary. It is therefore important to study the effects that this system has on the body, as well as the pathologies related to it, and how massage therapists may treat patients with various heart or cardiovascular disorders.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular System, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists

Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson. Within the course of Dr. Johnson.

Chapter 7 was important to me because it had migraine headaches in it, and many of my friends/family members suffer from them. I was interested to learn how I could best help them with their issues. One instance comes to mind, recently my friend had a migraine and, after working on her (gently) for about 10 minutes, she said the migraine went away. A few hours later, it came back, and I did the same thing I did before and it apparently went away again and did not return. This encourages me to believe that even the shortest massage can really help people and that is exactly what I want to do.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Conditions Pathologies, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists

Lymphatic massage is used to help increase lymph flow. This helps to removes harmful substances from the tissues and can increase immune function. Because the lymphatic system has no central pump, it must depend on muscle contraction to move fluid. Another way to move this fluid is through manual manipulation or massage. It increases lymphatic flow 8-10 times. This removes harmful substances from our tissues, nourishes tissues, reduces inflammation, and generally increases immune function, it helps people manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions and arthritis, traumatic injuries such as strains and sprains, headaches, sinus issues, healing from surgery, osteoarthritis, skin conditions, and swelling from unresolved injuries such as ankle sprains. Lymphatic massage was developed as a manual therapy in Europe, where it has been well researched and used in hospitals and clinics for decades. Lymphatic massage is also profoundly relaxing. This too helps the immune system to function well.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Lymphatic, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular

Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.

This chapter was about cardiovascular and lymphatic/immune pathologies. The first part of the chapter introduces the lymphatic system. It states, "The lymphatic/immune system is one of the major protectors from disease." It also notes the importance of both the cardiovascular system and lymphatic system when it comes to the body maintaining homeostasis. The main components of the cardiovascular system are the blood, heart, and blood vessels. The main components of the lymphatic/immune system are lymph, lymphatic vessels, structures and organs containing lymphatic tissue (such as lymph nodes), lymphocytes, and red bone marrow. The chapter also reviews how blood flows through the heart and the important functions of the lymphatic system. The chapter goes on to introduce questions that might be asked during the premassage interview regarding these two systems. If the client has bradycardia, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, skin discolorations due to lymphatic/cardiovascular complications, unexplained bruising or skin pigmentation, rashes or hives, chest or calf pain, swollen lymph nodes, edema, limbs that are not the same temperature, chronic fatigue, failure to gain/maintain weight or unexplained weight loss the massage therapist is advised to not carryout a treatment plan without approval from the client’s primary care provider. The chapter then goes on to talk about several cardiovascular pathologies and the massage considerations (pg 202-219). On Figure 7-30 (pg 214), it describes the warning signs of heart attack and associated pain. I found this figure to be very helpful. On pages 219-227, the lymphatic/immune system pathologies were discussed. One of the big ones was the human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS. On Box 7-4 (page 222) it explains in detail what it is like for patients who are HIV positive or living with AIDS. I was surprised to find that a fever was in this list of pathologies. However, after reading the description it made sense. For most of the pathologies discussed massage was contraindicated.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Pathologies, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a prevalent condition in which the coronary arteries are narrowed and there is reduced blood flow to the heart (Salvo, 208). The main cause of this condition is atherosclerosis, and CAD is the leading cause of death in the United States. Some factors that lead to CAD are out of an individual’s control- such as gender, ethnicity, family history, and infection. That being said, there are risk factors that are likely to decrease the incidence of CAD, and also risk factors that may reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease that are within the realm of the patient’s control. This is not to say that CAD is “preventable” but it is notable that there are things a person can do to reduce his/her risk such as not smoking, exercising and maintaining a healthy diet and weight.
In terms of massage therapy, it is important that the therapist uses only light massage and first consults with the client’s healthcare provider- as massage could loosen a clot and travel to a blood vessel in the heart, lungs or brain (similar to embolism ). Knowledge of this pathology is crucial due to the high prevalence in today’s society.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Disease, Massage Therapy Coronary Artery Disease

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

The lymphatic system is constantly being manipulated and moved throughout the body during and after massage. I feel that it is important to educate your clients on the effects massage has on the lymphatic system so that they can take care of their bodies; and for example if they are getting sick or are sick how massage can effect their bodies so they can choose to or to not get a massage.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Lymphatic Pathologies

Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.

In this chapter it told us that the lymphatic and cardiovascular systems are the two main fluid transporters in the body. It went over how they function and what effects certain problems can be caused. It talked of how to assess and what to ask your client before the massage. And then it went over deficiencies you may come across and how to handle them.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Pathology, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists

Review of Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, by Salvo and Anderson.

I have learned a lot from this chapter, it is about the heart, its chambers, valves and walls. What interest me on this chapter is about the hearts pulmonary and systemic circulations. Also what I have learned is that malignancies and common opportunistic infections and conditions in AIDS. I learned about its medication used to manage cardiovascular disease and the risk factors of coronary artery disease.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Pathology, Massage Therapy Lymphatic Pathologies, Massage Therapy Immune Pathology, Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists

A good rule of thumb is to make sure if our client has a heart issue that they have their medicine on hand when getting a massage. It is also a good idea for a massage technician to have her CPR certification just in case of any incidents while in their care.

Tags: Massage Therapy Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Massage Therapy Cardiovascular Disease