In the treatment of massage therapy to an elderly person who has been the victim of an abuse situation, the therapist should include the assessment of endocrine pathologies. The client could be at risk of having an untreated diabetes mellitus condition. To determine this, the therapist should check for signs of long term complications as a result of neglected care. These may include peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy of hands and feet, and fungal infections. The therapist should receive clearance from a physician to make sure the condition is being treated before administering massage therapy. If the condition is being properly treated, the therapist may proceed with caution. Interview the client to find out if the last dose of medication was taken, the client checked their glucose level, and ate in the proper window of time before the massage. Gentle massage is indicated in the consideration of neuropathy and injection sites. Also, the client in this case could also have a hypoglycemic condition from extreme dietary deficiencies or too much insulin. If so, be ready to assist if any lightheadness occurs. Depending on the client’s vitality, the therapist may proceed with gentle or vigorous massage. These are two very possible endocrine pathologies that could be associated with the abuse situation of an elderly person.
Tags: Massage Pathology, Massage Pathology Chronicles, Elder Abuse and Neglect, Endocrine Pathology
Massage Pathology Chronicles 