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
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
Plantar Fasciitis – see medical massage treatments
Understanding Overpronation By Whitney Lowe, LMT, NCTMB
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.
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
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.
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