Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2024

56 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

• Physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation physician) . Focuses on physical medicine and rehabilitation. Can offer comprehensive care for musculoskeletal conditions, including rehabilitation exercises and interventions. • Sports medicine physician . A medical doctor specializing in treating injuries related to sports and physical activity. Can provide expertise in managing and preventing overuse injuries, including those related to poor posture. • Pain management physician . A medical doctor specializing in managing chronic pain conditions. Can offer interventions to alleviate pain associated with TNS. • Ophthalmologist or optometrist . Specializes in eye health. While not directly related to posture, eyestrain from prolonged device use can contribute to symptoms. Eye care professionals can address visual concerns associated with device use. • Psychologist or mental health professional . Focuses on mental and emotional well-being. TNS can have psychological effects, and addressing stress and anxiety is important for overall wellness. • Fitness trainer or exercise physiologist . Provides guidance on exercises and stretches to improve strength and flexibility, targeting the muscles affected by TNS. • Posture specialist . Specializes in assessing and correcting posture-related issues. Can provide personalized recommendations for improving posture and preventing TNS. • Wellness coach. Offers guidance on lifestyle changes, stress management and overall well being. Can help individuals adopt healthier habits to prevent and manage TNS. • Yoga instructor . Offer stretching and strengthening that can rebalance the body and deep relaxation that helps balance the mental/ emotional state that is often overly stressed in TNS clients. • Meditation or mindfulness teacher . Can help those with TNS relearn an upright posture, find awareness of their breath and its connection to their nervous system by toning the diaphragm and

its connection to the vagus nerve with breathing techniques, relieve associated anxiety and depression. Can help clients find deep relaxation for pain and insomnia relief. Can teach clients how to become more mindful in their daily lives, which can be applied to posture, ergonomics, movement patterns and more. Can help them shift thought patterns about stress and pain. It is essential for individuals with TNS to consult with the appropriate health care professionals based on their specific symptoms and needs. For lasting relief, clients must also important be willing to adopt the suggestions of the practitioner, so their affinity for a particular treatment or methodology is very important. A collaborative and integrated approach involving multiple specialists can strongly enhance the efficacy of a treatment plan. When and How to Refer Out Massage therapists should consider referring their clients out for TNS issues in the following situations. Severe symptoms: If the client presents with severe or worsening symptoms such as persistent pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms or hands, it is crucial to refer them to a health care professional for a more in-depth evaluation. Lack of improvement: If the client has undergone a reasonable course of massage therapy sessions without significant improvement in their condition, a referral may be necessary to explore additional interventions or assessments. Presence of red flags: If there are any “red flags” during the massage session, such as indications of neurological issues, underlying medical conditions, or the potential for serious complications, immediate referral to an appropriate health care provider is essential. Concerns about underlying conditions: If the massage therapist suspects that the client’s symptoms may be related to underlying medical conditions beyond the scope of massage therapy, such as herniated discs, spinal abnormalities or neurological issues, a referral to a relevant specialist (such as a chiropractor, orthopedic doctor or neurologist) is advisable.

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