applications/treatment /contraindications

Question 1

what are examples of therapeutic uses of massage?

Answer 1

• analgesia
  -mobilise oedema
  -mobilising tissues and increasing flexibility
• general and local mobilisation
• stress reduction
  -reduction in muscle tone and spasm

Question 2

what clinical scenarios would be good examples for massage?

Answer 2

• musculoskeletal disorders - eg soft tissue injuries, athletes , work related neuromuscular disorders (WRMSD’s) eg physios, mechanical neck pain, mechanical low back pain
• respiratory disorders - eg COPD, CF
  -long term or terminal illness sufferers - palliative care

Question 3

what is a contradiction?

Answer 3

• condition or situation that makes using the specified procedure harmful
• eg clot in calf - not coming in with muscle conditions - situation that has just happened - massage could cause harm in this situation

Question 4

what are examples of absolute contraindications?

Answer 4

• acute infection eg in bone, joint, skin, muscle etc ]
  -acute generalised infection - eg flu/temp
  -cancer/ tuberculosis in treatment area - could increase lymph flow and therefore potentially the spread of cancer
• open wound or burn
  -foreign body, bony fragment in treatment area
  -circulatory disease eg Deep vein thrombosis
  -skin disease eg eczema
  -48-72 hours post soft tissue injury

Question 5

what are the signs of DVT?

Answer 5

• calf swelling
  -erythema
  PAIN
  -increase temp

Question 6

what could happen if there is a clot eg in calf and you massage it?

Answer 6

the clot could be broken up and then secondary bleeding can occur- which will delay overall healing

Question 7

what are the risk factors for DVT?

Answer 7

-immobility
-smoking
-cancer
-pregnancy
-HRT
-dehydration
-blood disorders

Question 8

what is an infection in bone called?

Answer 8

osteomyelitis
commonly seen in fractures - structural integrity of bone is at risk of failure

Question 9

what is an infection in the skin called?

Answer 9

infective dermatitis

Question 10

what is an infection of subcutaneous tissue?

Answer 10

cellulitis

Question 11

what is the clinical presentation of DVT in the calf ?

Answer 11

-pain
-not improving
-painful walk
-redness, temp, welling
-heavy leg

Question 12

what are the potential signs of undiagnosed cancer?

Answer 12

-intractable pain - no relief on rest or significantly disturbed sleep
-fatigue/ feeling of being generally unwell
-unexplained weight loss
-fever
-lumps

Question 13

what is superficial thrombophlebitis?

Answer 13

-involves the superficial veins
-inflammatory condition in the venous tissue

Question 14

what is Deep vein thrombosis?

Answer 14

a clot in a deep vein - usually seen in the lower body eg leg- can be extremely dangerous

Question 15

what is myositis ossificans?

Answer 15

• extra - osseous non-neoplastic growth of new bone (bone growing outside bone)
  -neoplastic - benign (not cancerous)
  -often post traumatic in teens and 20 year olds but can be genetic
• most common sites - quadriceps, brachiradialirs

Question 16

what is the difference in clinical presentation of DVT in calf vs calf muscle strain?

Answer 16

• DVT in calf - extremely painful, may not be a mechanism of injury, painful to walk, redness, temperature, swelling, pain on ankle after dorsiflexion
  -Calf muscle strain - tightness and pain, improving, painful walk for a few days, swelling, pain on ankle after dorsiflexion

Question 17

what are potential precautions for massage?

Answer 17

• cancer - malignant disease
  -fragile skin
  -collagenous weakening eg diabetes and steroids reduce collagen synthesis
  -cardiac pathology eg hypertension
  -intramuscular haematomas (bruises inside the muscle)
  -peripheral nerves - there can be temporary injury