Neoplasm
Definition: a mass of new abnormal tissue; usually a malignant tumor
Causes: see cancer
Signs/Symptoms: lump or thickening of tissue
Indications: Massage for stress reduction and elimination of toxins
Contraindications: Avoid direct pressure on area or use caution with clients and physicians ok. Refer to appropriate health care practitioner for treatment.
Nephritis
Definition: inflammation of the kidney
Causes: damage from exposure to chemicals, poisons, toxins, bacterial or viral infection, chronic diseases such as diabetes or lupus
Signs/Symptoms: fever, chills, back pain, abdominal pain, fluid retention
Indications: Massage to remove toxins, increase circulation
Contraindications: Watch for drug interactions; Refer to appropriate health care practitioner.
Neuralgia
Definition: nerve pain along the path of a peripheral sensory nerve without inflammation
Causes: trauma, injury, stress, nerve impingement or pressure on a nerve due to poor circulation, muscle spasm, arthritis, or poorly healed fracture
Signs/Symptoms: shooting and throbbing pain, tingling, numbness, paresthesia, no signs of inflammation, cold extremities due to reduction in circulation, peripheral nerve impingement, radiating pain following dermatomes, muscle spasms, weakness
Common types: Trigeminal neuralgia, thoracic outlet syndrome, intercostal neuralgia, Bell’s Palsy
Indications: Massage to relieve pain and stress; traction to relieve pressure on nerve; realignment as needed throughout body.
Contraindications: Refer for diagnostic procedures if persistent and unrelievable
Neuritis
Definition: inflammation of a nerve
Interstitial Neuritis: inflammation of the connective tissue of the nerve trunk characterized by dull, aching pain that follows the path of the nerve
Parenchymatous neuritis: inflammation of the internal nerve structure the axon and myelin
Causes: trauma, injury, stress, infection
Signs/Symptoms: pain, referred pain, redness along nerve, burning pain, paresthesia and pain when stretched, paralysis possible in parenchymatous, muscle spasm
Indications: Massage for stress reduction and pain relief; ice/heat as per stage of symptoms. Reduce inflammation. Relieve impingement.
Common types: Brachial plexus, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, trigeminal neuritis, ulnar neuritis
Contraindications: Refer for diagnostic procedures if persistent and unrelievable; Acute neuritis is contraindicated for massage, no stretching.
Nyctalopia
Definition: night blindness
Causes: stress, eyestrain, nutritional deficiencies
Signs/Symptoms: unable to see well in faint light or darkness
Indications: Massage for stress reduction; Eye exercises
Contraindications: Refer to Bates Vision specialist
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Definition: inflammation or partial detachment of the tibial tuberosity from the tibia; where patellar ligament inserts on tibia
Causes: repetitive trauma, chronic inflammation, from too much jumping, running
Signs/Symptoms: pain and swelling in area of tibial tuberosity
Indications: Relax quadriceps femoris and treat tibial tuberosity
Contraindications: none
Osteoporosis
Definition: “porous bones”; weakening of bones, loss of bone mass
Causes: aging, lack of exercise, menopause ( reduction of hormones), cortisone use, trauma, injury, calcium deficiency, unable to absorb and metabolize calcium, high intake of phosphate in foods
Signs/Symptoms: weakened bone structure, shrinkage in height of backbone, hip fractures
Indications: Massage lightly for stress reduction; Use caution as bones could break
Contraindications: Caution: bones brittle and subject to breaking under slightest pressure
- Taming Osteoporosis
- By John Upledger, DO, OMM
Ottis Externa, Media, Interna
Definition: Ear infections: externa-outer ear (swimmer’s ear), Media- middle ear, usually in children. Interna- inner ear
Causes: food allergies, impacted wax, bacterial or viral infection
Signs/Symptoms: fever, chills, pain in ear, plugged feeling in ear
Indications: Massage for stress reduction and removal of toxins
Contraindications: Refer to appropriate health care practitioner for treatment and diet changes
Ovarian Cyst
Definition: Cyst on ovary
Causes: endometriosis, improper diet and lifestyle
Signs/Symptoms: pain in abdominal region, pain at ovulation
Indications: Massage for stress reduction and removal of abdominal adhesions (may need visceral manipulation specialist)
Contraindications: Refer to Physician to rule out ectopic pregnancy and cancer. Refer to appropriate health care practitioner.