lightheadedness, chest discomfort, and irregular heart beat. It is important to know how they will react, and also be sure to explain the risk of bruising to the client. Often, clients will be on these medications for an underlying heart condition, arrythmia, or surgery, so when you or the client are in doubt of dosage or side effects, be sure to talk with their physician before treatment. Common medication names: Lidocaine, Amiodarone, Propafenone, Ibutilide Antibiotics These are medicines that fight limited or large spectra of bacteria and are made from naturally or synthetic substances. Contraindications: Cautioned. In general, massage is considered safe for clients taking antibiotics to receive, as long as they have been taking the medication for three days and there are no visible signs that infection is still present, such as redness, swelling, or fever. Considerations: There are differing opinions about receiving massage while taking antibiotics, with one opinion that massage can aid in the body’s natural ability to push out infection by activating lymphatic and immune systems. On the contrary view, massage being a great aid to the body for circulation, it is thought that massage would actually spread the infection throughout the body, making it harder for the antibiotics to do their job. It is up to the practitioner to decide which route to take, and determining the reason Anticoagulants and thrombolytics Anticoagulants aid in the prevention of blood clots forming, and thrombolytics help dissolve and disperse blood clots. Contraindications: General contraindications—massage therapy with clients who are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants and thrombolytics) is generally contraindicated due to risks of bruising and internal bleeding. The pressure of massage combined with circulatory effects can cause the blood vessels to burst, and because the blood does not clot as it normally would, then the blood pools underneath the skin, causing bruising. Internal bleeding happens in particular Anticonvulsants These are medications that prevent epileptic seizures. Contraindications: No direct interaction between massage and anticonvulsant drugs Considerations: Although there may be no direct interaction between the massage and the anticonvulsant drug, the reason for someone to be taking this medication is to treat re- occurrent seizures, so it is important for you to take certain precautions and know how to react if the client were to have a seizure during the massage. This may include having extra pillows close by in the room to help bolster and protect the client if they begin to seize. If the client is face down on the table, try and keep them on the table and use a pillow on the sides to prevent bruising from any movement. If they are face up on the table, again, try to keep them from falling
Healthcare Consideration: 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. for taking the antibiotics can also be helpful. If the client is not forthcoming with information about reasons for taking the antibiotics, or the length of time they are taking them, it may be safer to refuse treatment until the antibiotic cycle has been completed. Be gracious, and offer to reschedule them for a future appointment. Common medication names: Amoxicillin, doxycycline, cephalexin, metronizadole, levofloaxin, clyndamycin Anti-infectives, such as antivirals or antifungals, compromise the immune system. Use universal precautions as necessary, and avoid exposing clients to contagious diseases. Respiratory medications like expectorants, decongestants, bronchodilators, and antihistamines can reduce perspiration. Antihistamines can both excite or depress the nervous system, altering the effects of the massage. Most of the medications in this class can also cause either drowsiness or anxiety (Cutler, 2008). with deep tissue massage and is considered a medical emergency. Considerations: The only type of massage that is safe to receive when taking blood thinners is very light massage, with no deep pressure, tapotements, or deep tissue work. Lymphatic drainage may be approved, but for any massage for clients who are taking blood thinners, a doctor’s permission is strongly suggested. Common medication names: Eliquis, Pradaxa, Lixiana, Coumadin, Retavase, Urokinase (Werner, 2021) off the table on either side during the seizure. In either scenario, call for help from coworkers if available to come and stand on either side of the table in order to protect from any falls. Never stick anything in the client’s mouth during the seizure. Seizures can be triggered by stress, so massage, as a stress-reducing therapy, would be indicated most of the time for clients who suffer from seizures. However, a deep state of relaxation can also trigger seizures in some clients, so it is important to be prepared and react calmly and quickly for a client experiencing a seizure during a massage treatment. Common medication names: Diamox, Diastat, Zarontin, Felbatol, Gabitril
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Book Code: MLA1225
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