Am quite newly qualified and am booked to massage a client with chrones disease tomorrow - a telephone consulatation was unfortunately not possible, as this lady has been too busy recently so will have to do consultation before treatment, but she assures me she has already obtained gp permission, since she has had massage from other practitioner recently...
Ive looked up the disease on the internet, so know a little about it, and assume that as long as I stay completely away from the stomach area (i usually do anyway) it should be OK.
That is as long as she is able to lie on her front - maybe it would cause her discomfort?
Just wondering if anyone had any experience of treating client with this condition, or has any suggestions...
RE: chrones disease
Crohn's disease: As long as your new client is not having an inflammatory episode, you will be able to treat and would advise treating her side-lying, very gentle stuff - effleurage only if necessary for the whole treatment of the back. She may benefit from head and neck/shoulder treatment. Classic massage should not be used on the abs. Good luck.
RE: chrones disease
If she's had massage before, then your new client will have a good idea of what works for her and what doesn't. She may be perfectly ok lying on her front - simply ask her first. Don't assume anything, but ask her to be your guide. My guess is that if she's after a massage at the moment, she won't be having an inflammatory episode anyway, but just let her tell you what she feels is best for her and go from there.
RE: chrones disease
Thanks for your help and reassurance guys!
All went fine... I had a big case of nerves over this potentially complicated massage since all the clients Ive had up till now have been so straighforward - I guess everyones the same when they are first starting out as a therapist.
Let's just hope she comes back for more!
RE: chrones disease
Hi suebee, just to add that since i have been giving my girlfriend (who has crohn's disease) regular massage
she has been free of the horrible symtoms that accompany this condition.
Originally massage was specificaly for postural rehabilitation but the effect on her crohn's condition has been an unexpected but most welcome benifit!
Although we started with light massage its deep friction of the posteria spinal muscles that yeld the best long term results.
regards steve