What should a massage therapist consider when working with a client taking analgesics?
You should consider altering treatment plans for anyone taking pain relievers. When people take pain relieving medications, they may experience altered pain perception, low blood pressure, dizziness, and bleeding or bruising.
What is analgesic massage?
Also known as “cold therapy,” topical analgesics have multiple benefits in massage therapy: Active cryotherapy targets specific areas to relieve pain. Cooling and re-warming of tissue stimulates return of blood flow.
Should I take pain meds before a massage?
Muscle relaxers, mood stabilizers, and pain medications can interfere with your perception of pain and/or your ability to communicate with your massage therapist. Any medication meant to thin the blood should also be avoided because of the pressure and increase of blood circulation caused during massage.
Is High Blood Pressure a contraindication for massage?
A massage therapist is very careful about don’ts and contraindications while treating a client with high blood pressure: For very high and uncontrolled blood pressure a doctor’s note would be necessary before the massage therapy treatment is given.
What conditions does massage treat?
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:
- Anxiety.
- Digestive disorders.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Headaches.
- Insomnia related to stress.
- Low back pain.
- Myofascial pain syndrome.
- Nerve pain.
What is a general contraindication for massage?
Total Contraindications Fever. Contagious diseases, including any cold or flu, no matter how mild it may seem. Under the influence of drugs or alcohol-including prescription pain medication. Recent operations or acute injuries.
What are the indications and contraindications for massage?
Massage: Indications and Contraindications
- Mobilization of intertissue fluids.
- Reduction or modification of edema.
- Increase of local blood flow.
- Decrease of muscle soreness and stiffness.
- Moderation of pain.
- Facilitation of relaxation.
- Prevention or elimination of adhesions.
What is analgesic gel?
This medication is used to treat minor aches and pains of the muscles/joints (such as arthritis, backache, sprains). Menthol is known as a counterirritant. It works by causing the skin to feel cool and then warm. These feelings on the skin distract you from feeling the aches/pains deeper in your muscles and joints.
What does an analgesic do?
Analgesics are medications that relieve pain. Unlike medications used for anesthesia during surgery, analgesics don’t turn off nerves, change the ability to sense your surroundings or alter consciousness. They are sometimes called painkillers or pain relievers.
What shouldn’t you do before a massage?
5 Things You Should Never Do Before Your Massage (Number 5 Might Surprise You)
- Drink. Water, yes, but alcohol is a real no-no.
- Sunbathe. This is tough to avoid on vacation, but experts recommend spending the day-of your massage out of direct sunlight to help prevent sunburn.
- Feel ill.
- Self-groom.
- Shower.
Can I take ibuprofen before massage?
Don’t take muscle relaxers or prescription pain medication before your massage. You have to be able to fully feel the massage so that your feedback can be given. Of course it is also a bad idea to come to a day spa for a massage when you are in enough pain that warrants the use of strong pain medication.
Do analgesics and depressants affect the comfort of massage therapy?
Patients receiving analgesics (i.e., non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]), narcotic analgesics, and central nervous system (CNS) depressants may not be able to provide accurate feedback regarding the comfort of techniques and modalities used during massage therapy.
Is massage therapy effective for pain relief?
The existing literature suggests that massage therapy may be a useful approach for pain relief in a number of chronic, non-malignant pain conditions, particularly musculoskeletal pain complaints (e.g., shoulder pain, low back pain).
What are the side effects of massage therapy for back pain?
Side effects of these agents commonly include dizziness, drowsiness, and postural hypotension, all which can be potentiated by massage therapy. Therefore, always determine the impact of massage therapy during future visits and adjust the treatment course accordingly. 24
Can I use medication for massage therapy?
Although it is inappropriate to suggest clients skip or change their medication for massage, it is preferable to work with clients when these drugs are at their lowest level of activity (toward the end of the dosage period) so therapists may collect the most accurate information about tissue response.