Massage Therapy Journal Winter 2024

52 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Fever. We know that fever indicates the body has deployed its immune response. The body’s temperature rises when immune fighting cells like phagocytes are activated. Interfering with this mechanism can cause the client to feel even more uncomfortable, and so massage therapy should not be applied when a client presents with fever. Acute untreated deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is the formation of a blood clot in a vein. This condition is often associated with disease, certain medications, recent surgeries, injuries and airline travel. Symptoms of a DVT are pain, edema, warmth and redness, and diagnosis of a DVT is confirmed via a venous Doppler test. Anticoagulation medications are the usual course of treatment, but if left untreated, parts of the thrombosis may become dislodged and travel around the circulatory system, possibly travelling to the lung causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. When working with a client who has DVT, MLD therapy should be avoided in the area until the DVT has been treated for at least six weeks. Active cancer. Research has shown that massage therapists no longer need to avoid

massage on patients with active cancer or a history of cancer. Massage is a safe and helpful modality for this client population in most cases; however, certain considerations are required. As massage therapists, we need to be more aware of the side effects of cancer treatment than the cancer itself. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy can experience one or more of a multitude of symptoms, including neuropathy, fatigue, constipation, pain, nausea, sleep disturbances, digestive issues and a reduction in blood cell counts. Cancer patients also have an increased risk for DVT, especially if they have a port a-cath inserted or have had recent surgery. Patients who have received radiation therapy experience significant skin changes in the radiated area, and skin can remain fragile and be extra sensitive to heat, cold and touch. Scarring and adhesions restrict tissue mobility and there is often damage to the surrounding lymphatic vessels that could compromise lymphatic transport. Radiation to lymph nodes will disrupt the function of the lymph node, increasing the risk of the development of lymphedema.

Photos by Mark Hanson Photography

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