Opinion guidance needed with massage client

Hello
I've just had a massage client who came for a massage because she had a "trapped nerve" in the shoulder area. She was having nerve pains in the area and shooting up the cervical area of her spine to the base of the cranium.

She has not had a diagnosis, apart from a sports massage friend of hers locating a knot and working on it. It was he that apparently informed her that it was a trapped nerve. I did point out that he should not have made a diagnosis like that.

Palpating during the massage I found a large area of swelling runningover the rhomboids major area between the thoracic verterbrea and the scapula , running upwardsagainst and across the "grain" of the fibres of the rhomboids major and possibly on and over the minor, crossing over the muscle.

There was muscle damage in the area above the swelling closer in towards the scapula. I could feel a sort of ridge and dip about 2cms long, some torn muscle possibly and adhesions in the area.

The client did not relate this to any accident or event and said that she awoke with this problem. I did point out that people can sometimes damage their bodies whilst sleeping.

She said when her friend (the sports massage therapist ) worked on it using N.M.T this got rid of the problem.

The source of the pain was actually right on or in the spine it's self one of the cevical vertbrea( sorry but can't say which one exactly).

On locating this I told her my opinion, which was that she should see a physio or osteopath as this might be a trapped nerve caused by one of the cervical vertebrae and obviously I could not do anything as it was right on the spine and bones are off limits to me. As well as knowing that if it was a trapped nerve it was someone elses job to release this.

I talked about how nerves can be damaged by compressed spines and how stretching during a body balance or pilates classas wellswimming as suggestions can help stretch and uncompress the spinal column in a gentle and very effective way.

I recommended that she should see a physiotherapist orosteopath by NHS referral or privatly if the problem persists and does not improve.

I know there's a medical term for compression or the nerves in the cervical area but can't remember it or rather can't spell it right now .

On the phone whilst initially taking the enquiry I explained what I could and couldn't treat and as she said massage had helped before I decided to see her but to proceed with caution.

I'm still learning.

I'mcurrently doing a level 3 sports and remedial massage course. Possibly going to do a level 4 or 5 course afterwards.

Any opionions ?

Anyone

Chris