Help Needed Please

[clexijfm]

Hi,

I was wondering, how do you find out what to do differently during a treatment to treat different ailments and problems.

I have asked my tutor and she says that she's not going to go into it, so I'm just wondering how to find out how to tailor my treatments to my client.

I started a client today with MS, he's had a triple heart bypass in the past and a few other ailments too. I personally would have thought that I would have needed GP consent, but my tutor said that as long as he signs the consent form that was ok. I omitted cupping and hacking thinking that this would stimulate the nerves too much, but she said that I should do it lightly once I asked her at the end. I know that she's probably right and thats why she's the tutor, but where do I find this information for myself.I've had a client with lower back problems and didnt know what to do then either and couldnt ask as my tutor left the room for ages.
Can anyone give me any advise on how to find out more about this. I have the Louise Tucker massage book, but it just tells you what the ailments are, not how to tailor treatment.

Please can anyone help.

Thanks
Princess

 

[sathish k]

massage would be contraindicated for this client. The triple bi-pass means that this person has had a heart attack in the past!!!

Only the person's consultant will know the extent of the damage to the heart and whether there has been further accumulation of plaque in the arteries which could cause additional problems.

A qualified therapist would not treat so please do not even consider seeing this client. What course is it that you are doing?

I advise that you get a massage therapist's guide to Pathology by Ruth Werner. It will indicate which conditions are locally or systemically contraindicated.

Love Binah
xxx

 

[I Rock Socks]

Hi,

Im doing Itec Massage at the moment. I personally would have asked for GP consent but my tutor said it was ok if he self indemnifies. I know all the contraindications, and wouldn't treat him outwith college.
He had the op 12 years ago. This client has been in for the last 4 weeks with another student too.


Princess

 

[Jessica Lennon]

There is a lot of misinformation about as to what is contraindicated for massage, the simple way to asses this is to ask yourself if what you are doing will harm the person? If it will harm them like massaging over the site of a recent operation or fracture or around thombosed varicose veins then don't do it.

If you want to treat specific muscular/skeletal dysfunctions as opposed to doing general body massage, then you should train as a remedial or sports injury massage therapist that way you are qualified and insured to treat them.

 

[vcetwuewiqzisiekz]

When I trained 30 years ago, we were told to use 'bodies' who were basically healthy, with absolutely no 'contra-indications', but who were willing to be pummelled for a couple of hours a week! As we were not yet qualified or insured this was probably the best advice.

Since that time, things have changed, and I have learnt alot more - especially about interaction with healthcare professionals. I used to write asking for consent to treat, but gave up after a few years when I heard nothing (even having enclosed a SSAE). Nowadays, if I am in the least bit dubious about treating - if the initial consultation reveals something I am not happy about - then I write to their GP stating that their patient has come to me for (whatever therapy) and that they have disclosed details about treatment for whatever ailment but wish to proceed with the therapy - if 'you' (the GP) do not wish this patient to receive the therapy, please let me know as soon as possble using the enclosed SSAE. I have never had a reply. If I have not had a reply within 10 days, and am still dubious about treatment, I ask the patient to make an appointment with the doctor. Invariably they are told that 'a bit of massage will probably do no harm' !!!
I have two GP freinds who admit that they never reply to comp therapists - they will only refer to fellow HCP's or NHS clinics dealing with the various conditions. They will sometimes recommend patients try comp therapy, but it is not a direct referral, so there is no insurance implications.

Back on subject - one of my rellies had a triple-bypass surgery in the 70's when she was 33 - no heart attack - she is now one of the fittest people I know, and still, at the age of 66, goes hiking/canoeing and rides her bike everywhere. I am happy to treat her when she has time!!

 

[rweajueqizsinjemb]

I have treated clients who have had heart attacks or heart surgery in the past. Either the GP has been written to in the way that Jabba outlines, or I ask the client to confirm with their GP that it is OK for them to receive treatment and then ask the client to sign that they have done so.

 

[KellyC]

I like the suggestions around getting consent/approval from GPs given here! Good advice.

Basically I agree with Paul, courses in Swedish massage/holistic massage don't really cover in-depth how to use massage in the treatment of certain ailments and conditions so it would probably be good to do sports and remedial massage if you want to treat people with chronic injuries or illness. I'm doing VTCT swedish massage so it's a bit different, but generally the course seems centred around giving the treatment in a spa or salon setting rather than a health care setting. If anyone has an absolute contraindication then we do not give them treatment.

I do think you should take the issue up with your tutor though - telling you to massage someone with a heart problem history is (I would have thought) a definite no-no! I would definitely challenge her as to why she allowed this when you beleive it is a contraindication and could potentially harm the client.

It's not just about protecting the client, it's about protecting yourself too. If a client thinks you have harmed them in any way through treatment then they can take you to court and it would be up to you to prove that you had taken all appropriate measures to protect the client from harm. Getting them to sign disclaimer is good practice, but it's not absolute legal protection... as they can always say that you did not explain it properly or that they did not understand when they signed. If a client did happen to have a heart attack during or after treatment and sued you, saying 'yes I know the client had a heart problem, but I explained the risks and they signed a consent form' would not really go down too well as defense in court!

Thankfully I think these cases are very very rare, but it can happen so it is always best to be cautious.

 

[Chris Newbie]

I think you will find this guy will have be vetted by the college. They are not going to take any risks. However your tutor should really explain this to you, and give you guidelines.

I would treat him the operation was years ago - I also use the thought process of is this going to hurt the client or cause damage - as long as he was fit and healthy and had regular check up with his doctor.

I always get a client to fill in a form and go through health etc. and get them to sign it - and before any treatment I ask if anything has changed since their last treatment.

With regards to specific ailments, I am sure you find on here and the internet lots of courses that will train you once you have the basics.

Good luck

 

[fomvfppp]

Thanks for all the advice. It was actually my tutor that said that we needed to treat specific problems differently, but then didn't explain.
To be honest, they seem to wing it a lot in the college so I don't honestly expect the man to have been vetted at all. There is never much organisation with regards to clients and thats not just my opinion.

I now understand that to treat specific ailments is another course altogether, so thank you very much for the info on this. I am now even wondering if the reason my tutor doesnt go into it, is because she doesnt know herself. hmmm.

Thanks a lot

Princess