Tendonitis
Definition: inflammation of a tendon or musculotendinous junction
Causes: overuse, repetitive stress, improper healing, or tearing from sustained overloading of muscle
Signs/Symptoms: pain, persistent pain worse at night, pain referral, pain worse after use, muscle weakness, inflammation, limited ROM; usually occurs where the tendon attaches to the bone or where the muscle attaches to the tendon or in the tendon.
Common areas: rotator cuff tendonitis, infraspinatus tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, shin splints
Indications: Massage as per your level of training. Trigger point treatments, relieve inflammation, re-educate movement. Slow to heal because of lack of vascularity.
Contraindications: Cortisone shots may be administered; Use caution
Types of Tendon Injuries by Whitney Lowe
When Is It Tendinitis? By Whitney Lowe, LMT, NCTMB
Achilles Tendinosis
by Whitney Lowe
Golfer’s Elbow By Ben Benjamin, Ph
- Tennis Elbow
- By Ben Benjamin, PhD
Temporal Mandibular Joint Syndrome
Tenosynovitis
Definition: inflammation of the tendon sheath – the gliding surface of the tendon and surrounding sheath.
Causes: overuse, repetitive motion, repetitive strain, improper posture, misalignment
Signs/Symptoms: pain, inflammation, stiffness
Indications: Massage as per your level of training; Reduce inflammation, relieve trigger points, realign problem area
Contraindications: None; Check for medications – steroids may be used in treatment.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Definition: compression of fifth cranial nerve; may cause degeneration of nerve
Causes: vertebral misalignment, cranial misalignment, TMJ
Signs/Symptoms: pain in face area
Indications: Massage for pain reduction, realign problem areas
Contraindications: None. Refer to appropriate health care provider.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Definition: compression of brachial nerve plexus; C8-T1; may also be referred to as Brachial Plexus syndrome which may involve C5-C8.
Causes: tightness in pectoral muscles, intercostals, muscles around clavicle, upper back, neck; misalignment in one or all or these areas; disc protrusion or herniation, fibromyalgia, degenerative changes in the spine causing nerve impingement, inter-scalene triangle impingement, fibrositis of the cervical and shoulder area,
Signs/Symptoms: pain in arm, shoulder, hand, forearm; cold hands and fingers due to compression of axillary artery
Indications: Massage; realignment and release compression
Contraindications: none; Refer to appropriate health care practitioner; Have clear diagnosis to rule out neuritis.
see also massage treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome
Thrombophlebitis
Definition: inflammation of a vein
Causes: thrombus(blood clot) from trauma, environmental allergies, lack of exercise and movement, standing for long periods of time, aging, poor circulation, abnormal clotting
Signs/Symptoms: swelling, pain, discoloration of the skin (bluish)
Indications: massage above area
Contraindications: Do not work directly on the area involved
Torticollis
Definition: wry neck, asymmetry in the strength or function of the Sternocleidomastoid muscle causing rotation of the head to one side with a tilt in another direction (lateral, forward or backwards)
Causes: bad sleeping position, stress, TMJ, vertebral misalignment, spasm in SCM, emotional trauma,
Signs/Symptoms: pain, lack of rotation of the neck
Indications: massage to relieve muscle contraction, realign problem areas, lengthen SCM
Contraindications: none; Refer to appropriate health care practitioner.
Tuberculosis
Definition: infectious disease of the lungs
Causes: bacterial
Signs/Symptoms: flulike symptoms, cough, chest pain, fever, night sweats, shortness of breath
Indications:N/A
Contraindications: Refer to Physician; Highly contagious
Urinary Incontinence
The Pelvic Floor Paradox Leon Chaitow, ND, DO (U.K.)
Varicose Veins
Definition: abnormally enlarged veins
Causes: improper functioning of the valves in the veins, weakened linings of the wall of the vein, injury, trauma, vitamin C deficiency, overweight, lack of exercise, pregnancy
Signs/Symptoms: bulging, blue veins, usually in the legs
Indications: Massage around vein
Contraindications: do not work directly on vein; Refer to Naturopath and/or Acupuncturist for treatment of nutritional deficiencies
Warts
Definition: small growths on skin
Causes: viruses
Signs/Symptoms: bumps on skin, singly or in clusters
Indications: Massage
Contraindications: Avoid direct contact with area; may be contagious
Whiplash
Definition: traumatic injury to the neck most commonly associated with car accident; acceleration/deceleration
Causes: rapid deceleration, injuries, trauma
Signs/Symptoms: dizziness, pain in neck, muscle guarding, TMJ, inner ear disturbances, concussions
Indications: Massage as per your level of training. treatment differs as to type of accident (rear end collision, head on collision or side impact collision)
Contraindications: Have Physician evaluate traumatic injuries
Whiplash by Whitney Lowe Massage Magazine
Acceleration-deceleration injuries(PDF): ‘Whiplash Syndrome’ Judith DeLany, LMT