Chapter 5: Medications & Massage Therapy: Introduction to Pharmacology 4 CE Hours By: Valerie Wohl, Ph.D. with Deborah Converse, MA, NBCT Learning outcomes Explain the concept of affinity and the process of neurotransmission of drug molecules. Compare and contrast pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Explain the concept of bioavailability. List and discuss the contraindications for massage on specific systems of the body. Identify and discuss the four primary processes of pharmacokinetics. Define the effects of different massage strokes on systems of the body. Discuss the efficacy of massage to treat pain and symptoms of prescription and illicit opioid use disorder. Implicit bias in healthcare Implicit bias significantly affects how healthcare
health outcomes. Addressing implicit bias in healthcare is crucial for achieving equity in medical treatment. Strategies to combat these biases involve education and awareness programs for healthcare professionals. These programs help individuals recognize and acknowledge their biases, fostering a more empathetic and unbiased approach to patient care. Additionally, implementing policies and procedures prioritizing equitable treatment for all patients can play a pivotal role in reducing healthcare disparities. Ultimately, confronting implicit bias in healthcare is essential to creating a more just and equitable healthcare system where everyone receives fair and equal treatment regardless of their background or characteristics.
professionals perceive and make treatment decisions, ultimately resulting in disparities in health outcomes. These biases, often unconscious and unintentional, can shape behavior and produce differences in medical care along various lines, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and socioeconomic status. Healthcare disparities stemming from implicit bias can manifest in several ways. For example, a healthcare provider might unconsciously give less attention to a patient or make assumptions about their medical needs based on race, gender, or age. The unconscious assumptions can lead to delayed or inadequate care, misdiagnoses, or inappropriate treatments, all of which can adversely impact
INTRODUCTION
Massage and medicine Massage is a highly effective treatment for many conditions, but can do considerable harm if applied inappropriately. As a practitioner, awareness of contraindications and endangerment sites related to specific organs and organ systems (for example, avoiding pressure or compression on the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys and lymphatic structures) is critical to the client’s health. If there are any doubts or concerns regarding a specific case, always err on the side of caution. If a physician or other health care professional’s approval is required, do not proceed without explicit permission from the client’s personal physician, specialist or other appropriate health care professional. As part of a thorough assessment, the massage practitioner should question the client regarding all the medications he or she is taking, both prescription and non-prescription, including herbal supplements and/or vitamins. Many medications may influence or be influenced by massage, so update any client information sheets regularly to take changing medication into account over any extended period of care, and make necessary adjustments to the treatment regime. Massage can magnify the effects of vasodilators used in the treatment of stroke or high blood pressure. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antihypertensives and antiarrhythmics used to treat angina, arrhythmias and migraines, can also be altered through the effects of massage as they slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure. Clients using these drugs may become dizzy after massage and should be encouraged to contract and relax leg muscles for a few minutes before leaving the table. Clients using anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin can
experience increased bruising, joint swelling and aching; therefore, methods with a potential for bruising should be avoided. Gastrointestinal medications (such as anti-ulcer medications) may be more effective when used with stress-reducing massage. Diabetics should generally not receive vigorous massage because it can overstress the system; however, with regular monitoring of prescription dosages to guard against blood sugar changes, diabetic individuals can safely receive massage. Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone can impact the body’s ability to benefit from massage. Estrogen can cause fluid retention and increased blood clotting, while testosterone can cause mood swings as well as physiologic effects. Massage can help even moods and lower stress levels caused by hormone imbalances. Anti-inflammatories may alter mood as well as pain perception; therapists should not perform any massage likely to increase inflammation. Changes in client stress levels can also influence the effects of steroids and thyroid medications. Additionally, steroids can cause inflammation, so therapists should avoid massage methods that tend to increase the inflammatory response. Central nervous system medications, such as anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, antidepressants, amphetamines and opioids can influence or have effects influenced by massage. Depending on the type of massage, it may either increase or decrease the effectiveness of these medications. With any of these drugs, it is important to work in conjunction with the treating professional, carefully monitor
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Book Code: MIL1224
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