Course Search Category: MM Chapter 05: Massage Cautions and Contraindications

C. Common Conditions that Require Caution

While the range of conditions you might see in professional practice is vast, hypertension, integumentary issues, and diabetes are fairly common and require special attention. Considerations for special populations such as pregnant women, infants, the elderly, people in recovery from abuse, the terminally ill, people living with a physical challenge, people living with a psychological …

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B. Contraindications

As stated previously, a contraindication is any condition that makes applying massage unadvised or potentially dangerous to the client’s health. Table 5-2 provides an overview of contraindicated conditions. Click on the image to view or download this PDF.  Figure 5-2. Quick contraindications reference. Following are the different types of contraindications and other implications: Absolute contraindication. …

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A. When Is Massage Dangerous

Massage therapy has few serious risks when appropriate cautions are followed. Investigations of insurance claims related to massage often reveal that general safety procedures were not adhered to in situations of liability. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) is the largest massage membership organization in the United States. Massage therapists receive liability insurance as part …

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A. Side Effects of Medications

A side effect is a secondary effect of a medication or therapy that goes beyond the desired effect and causes unwanted responses. Side effects occur commonly with many medicines and can range from mild sensations such as fatigue to serious problems such as hemorrhage. Each client’s response to medications is unique. One may experience difficulty …

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B. Regions of Superficial Structures

The following sections describe regions of the body where delicate structures are superficial and unprotected (Fig. 5-1), including details about specific structures located in the regions of the head and face, neck, trunk, upper extremity, and lower extremity. Figure 5-1. Areas of caution are regions of the body where delicate structures are superficial and unprotected. Head …

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A. Delicate Regions

Nerves, blood vessels, bones, and organs are delicate and can be damaged if strokes are applied too forcefully or for a prolonged time in areas of caution. Abnormal occurrences: Sometimes, clients have lumps or masses directly under their skin, which are often benign cysts or fatty deposits. Avoid direct pressure or heavy pressure to these …

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Lesson 5-3: Massage Contraindications

In Chapter 4 we looked at the effects of massage on the client’s body, mind, and emotions. These effects demonstrate the profound influence that massage can have on body systems, especially the circulatory system, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system. It should therefore be easy to understand that certain techniques could be overpowering for some clients …

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Lesson 5-2: Medications and Massage

In the United States, the word drug usually refers to a synthesized chemical that may be prescribed by a physician to treat a particular condition, purchased over-the-counter without a prescription (e.g., cold medication, pain reliever, etc.), or categorized as illegal substances (e.g., cocaine, heroin, etc.). Alcohol and cigarettes also have active substances that classify them …

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