Special populations are groups of people who may require specific considerations and adaptations during a massage session. While massage is most often always customized to some degree for the individual client, special populations require an in-depth understanding of the client’s particular circumstances, physical and psychological needs, and possible cautions or contraindications. When you work with special populations, you apply everything you know about ethics, communication, building a positive therapeutic relationship, assessment, cautions and contraindications, session adaptations, and proper techniques. Special populations discussed in this chapter include athletes, mothers and infants, older adults, obese clients, clients with disabilities, and people at the end of life.
Key Terms
assertive technology
disability
end-of-life care
event massage
first trimester
high-risk pregnancy
hyperthermia
hypothermia
intraevent massage
maintenance massage
obesity
older adult
people-first language
post-event massage
postpartum massage
pre-event massage
special population
terminal illness
Learning Objectives
Having read the chapter and used the related student learning tools, the student will be able to:
- Describe the three primary categories of sports massage, and list
three benefits of massage for athletes. - Organize the logistics for delivering massage at a sporting event.
- Deliver appropriate techniques at the appropriate pace for
pre-event and post-event massages. - List three benefits of massage for mothers and infants.
- Identify signs and symptoms of high-risk pregnancy.
- Outline three important considerations including correct
positioning for the application of massage in the first, second, and third
trimesters. - List three benefits of massage for older adults.
- Describe two cautions for working with older adults in a weakened
condition. - Outline three important considerations for the application of
massage to older adults. - List three benefits of massage for obese clients.
- Describe two important considerations for the application of
massage to obese clients. - Explain the purpose of people-first language, and identify personal
responses to disability. - List two physical disabilities and describe the massage adaptations
for each. - List one consideration for the application of massage to a person
living with a mental health issue. - Define end-of-life care and describe techniques useful for
supporting the dying process.