Massage and Cystic Fibrosis

[SLipknOT FTW]

Hiya

Has anyone got experience of treating clients with Cystic Fibrosis? I've had an initial chat with my client, who is happy to go ahead with a back, neck and shoulder massage, doctor says it ok but I wondered if any changes should be made to the swedish massage?

Any advice greatfully received

Many thanks

Deu

 

[liteInogginef]

Having nursed a lot of children with cystic fibrosis and I think any form of massage would be great and beneficial. Let your client tell you of her condition and you will understand it better.

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Deukissa,I am in the process of learning swedish massage.If you have had Gp consent then go for it, it can be very beneficial.
I think plenty of effleurage would be fine as long as you dont hack,pummell or cup which you probably know you dont do over the spine area anyway.Goodluck!

 

[naughtyamate]

Thanks so much for your help and replies, it can feel a little lonely out there sometimes as a mobile therapist so it's great to chat to others about it. It's a good opportunity to learn more about other conditions too and how they affect people and can be helped.

Thank you both, mush appreciated

Deu

 

[jen_mom2maddy]

Hi Deukissa

What age is your client?

I have not had the opportunity to work with a CF client but have studied this condition and the effects of massage. It was not my main subject of study but was touched on in my research into Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM).

To my knowledge massage is very beneficial to CF sufferers. The relaxation in itself can do wonders for the client's mental and emotional health.

As mucous congestion is a big factor to CF lymphatic massage is used by some therapists to aid fluid removal. How effective this is, I do not know. If you are not LDM trained but would still want to aim your treatments towards lymphatic drainage, as we do in Swedish anyway, I would advise that you keep all your movements very light and very slow and working towards the main areas of lymph nodes. If your pressure is too deep or vigorous you will temporarily close the lymphatic pathways and then hamper the lymphatic drainage.

Are they already receiving regular physiotherapy for mucous congestion on the lungs. This is a very physical treatment and so IMO a gentle massage from you will complement this beautifully. And again IMO lymphatic massage is best suited to people with CF rather than traditional Swedish.

As the digestive system is usually affected a regular abdomen massage may also be of benefit. The intercostal muscles will also benefit from gentle massage. Not covered in a back, neck and shoulder massage but something to think about when working towards the complete care of your client.

Coughing/hacking can cause muscle and joint discomfort and so again a gentle nurturing massage will help. Tapotement movements are not advised.

And lastly keep a comprehensive on-going treatment plan. This helps you to adjust your care as necessary giving you an overall picture on the effectiveness of your treatments.

Please be aware:
This is only a guideline gained from study and not hands-on experience so these are not instructions but pointers to areas you may benefit from your own personal study. On that matter I would really advise, for your benefit as much as your clients, to get as much information together re: CF and massage before you start your treatments, this will give you confidence and will come through in your massage.

My apologies if I am teaching you to suck eggs, it’s difficult sometimes to know how much info is needed or wanted.

All the best to you and your client. I hope it is a positive experience for you both. I would feel privileged to treat such a client.

Rx

 

[Nathalie]

Hi Cirrus

My client is 30 and has previously received osteopathy, reflexology and needle free acupunture . I'm very much looking forward to helping her and learning more about the condition.

I've really found your message helpful and inspiring so i really appreciate you taking the time to pass on your knowledge, i was feeling a bit nervous about it last night so it's really given me a boost!

Thank you so much

Deu
x

 

[Allan C]

Hi again Deukissa

I’m glad my post has been of some use to you. If LDM is the way forward for this client why not consider some official training. There are many academies that offer short courses that would add to your knowledge of massage.

I think you have a wonderful opportunity for self growth as a therapist ahead of you. I have completed an LDM course but my description of ‘very light and very slow etc’ is by far too simplistic to give you enough information on how to go about such a massage. On revision ‘very light’ would be better described as ‘very gentle’. And besides it would be inappropriate for me to try to coach you in such matters as I am not qualified to do so.

However, you could explain to your client that her first treatment is exploratory in nature and that you both need to work together to achieve the best for her. This gives her some responsibility to ensure she is helping you get it right. Encourage her to tell you ‘exactly’ what she would like from the treatment before you start, you will also then get an idea if her expectations are too high. Explain she needs to tell you if the pressure is too light or too deep during the massage so that you can adjust accordingly.

I would definitely say that the desires and requirements of a client with CF especially one who may be nearing the advanced stages (I assume this due to her age) outweigh any preconceived ideas a therapist may have, so be open to suggestion from your client.


Rx
(got to go have a mobile client at 7pm, this client broke her back 2 years ago!)