QuestionI have a client, who has MS and loves deep tissue. They just found out about 6 mths ago they had this and I am working with her to help her feel better and try to understand what is going on. My question is should deep tissue be continued on this client? I know there will be a point it can not and would really like to know more on this subject.
Thank you for your help.
Ann
AnswerAnn,
Good question!
There;s no official standing that I know of and I just tried to find as well regarding MS and deep tissue.
As you know, individuals with MS get fatigues easily and it is recommended (especially in vigorous massage like deep tissue) to shorten sessions. I know from experience that clients may not be happy with this idea.
The primary focus should be on helping the client relax muscularly and emotionally. If there are any areas that are particularly sensitive, I'd back off the pressure. Since the nerves have less myelin than the average, you don't want to damage the nerves.
I don't know what techniques you are trained in, but there have been studies with reflexology that demonstrate great results and some have found that energy work helps as well.
If your client is in the middle of a "flare up" and is particularly sensitive, tired, sore, etc, you might not want to perform massage at that point. If you do, I would stick to something light.
As your client gets weaker, you might want to do less and less deep tissue. One thing that you want to make sure is that their muscles don't get too relaxed (so that they can't get off the table...there may be a point where this happens, but I'm talking about if they can get on the table and then afterwards they are unable).
Another suggestion I have is to have your client make notes about how he/she feels within the 24 hours after the massage. If they aren't reacting well, they may have numbness, pain, or other neurological symptoms or increased muscle fatigue. If they do have this issue, or begin to have this issue, you'll know to back off and use another approach.
Since the progressive disorder also diminishes decreased range of motion, you might try different techniques to help increase this range of motion. For example, helping the client move the joint through the motion passively.
Like you, I believe that the overall consensus is to minimize or eliminate deep tissue when working with individuals with MS. Basically, avoiding massages that cause pain is recommended. Even avoiding myofascial work may be a good idea.
Does this help? It might be easier on the client if you gradually back off the deep tissue - saving it for areas that are not particularly sore and avoiding deep tissue in areas where it is sore. & you know that even Swedish massage can be administered with decent pressure.
Some additional resources you might look into are contacting the multiple sclerosis society to see if they have an official position. I don't think they do, but it may have changed recently. & also the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
One last thing that you may try is pure emu oil. It may sound strange, but I use it on my fibromyalgia clients, individuals who are recovering from surgery, or on locations where clients are particularly tender. Emu oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. It crosses across the skin and deeper than most materials do. This may help at least temporarily help reduce the pain and sensitivity that your client may be experiencing. It is neither hot nor cold so it is not contraindicated. It also doesn't have much of an odor. It is a bit pricey especially compared to traditional massage lotions/oils/creams, but I have found it to be a great benefit for individuals with specific issues and also for use in spot locations.
If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Jessica
