of fibromyalgia. therapeutic massage is an excellent way to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia, as petrissage to musculature and circulatory work can relax the pain symptoms in the muscle tissue. Manual techniques also releases endorphins, promoting relaxation, so individuals may feel less depressed and sleep better as a result of receiving regular treatments (NIAMS, 2021). thoracic, or lumbar spine, but they are most common in the lumbar region (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022). Treatment for lumbar disk disease can include physical therapy, steroid injections, chiropractic adjustments, pain medications, implementing proper body mechanics, and of course manual or massage therapy. Therapeutic massage, although it does not work at restoring the damaged disk, will relax and release the muscle tension caused by the bulging disk and can help manage pain (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022). may look to therapeutic massage and physical therapy for relief of symptoms. In almost all cases, time is the key factor. As the muscle and tendons catch up to the bone growth, the symptoms will taper off, although the bump on the shin may remain indefinitely (Boston Children’s Hospital, 2023). Manual therapy can be a very beneficial pain relief therapy for those with this condition. Considering the age of the patients who experience Osgood-Schlatter disease, pain medication would often be looked at as a last resort by doctors. As a manual therapist, you would want to focus on stretching the quadricep muscles, relaxing the hamstrings, and applying cross fiber frictions and circulatory techniques around the knee and surrounding cartilage. Myofascial release on the tibialis anterior and other shin muscles is extremely helpful as well, especially with the prevention of formation of shin splints, a common secondary condition that can occur with someone with Osgood-Schlatter disease (Boston Children’s Hospital, 2023). Healthcare Consideration: When someone who has Osgood-Schlatter disease comes for therapy, they are likely a minor. It is extra important when working with this population that you inform them and their guardian on the benefits of manual and physical therapy while explaining the treatment plan, areas you will work on, and techniques you will use prior to the start of their session. Receiving parental consent to treat is also an imperative part of working with minors. You can suggest to your patient that they come in shorts and a t-shirt to avoid having to deal with draping during manual therapy.
person who suffers from fibromyalgia, with descriptions such as burning and throbbing (NIAMS, 2021). Treatment for fibromyalgia is varied and diverse, just like the symptoms that accompany this pain condition. Physical therapy, exercise, analgesics (pain medications), anticonvulsant medications (seizure medications), and antidepressants are all pathways to treat the symptoms Lumbar disk disease Lumbar disk disease is also known as having a herniated disk in the lumbar region of the spine. Disk herniation most often occur from normal wear and tear of aging, and general breakdown in the disk can occur, or it can happen from a traumatic injury like lifting something heavy. Symptoms of a herniated disk include having constant or frequent back pain, spasms, sciatic pain, numbness in the legs, worsening pain with sneezing or coughing. The variety of symptoms depends on where in the spine the disk is herniated. A herniated disk can occur anywhere from the cervical, Osgood-Schlatter disease Osgood-Schlatter is a condition where a painful bump on the shinbone (tibia) forms along with painful swelling. It can be caused by injury or overuse. This condition usually effects adolescents who are going through a growth spurt between the ages of 10-15. This happens because the child’s bones are growing very quickly, and sometimes the muscles and tendons haven’t caught up, thus becoming overstretched and more prone to injury. Tightness of the hamstrings and quadriceps can contribute to the severity of the condition. You are more likely to see cases of Osgood- Schlatter disease with teens who go up and down a lot of stairs or with athletes, especially those who play basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, or any other sport that involves a lot of jumping and high impact on the knee (Boston Children’s Hospital, 2023). Pain symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter are described as pain and tenderness below the knee and can be accompanied by painful popping and clicking and limping. Osgood- Schlatter is easily misdiagnosed as patellar tendonitis, so it is important to receive a confirmed diagnosis from an orthopedic doctor. Bone scans, x-rays, or MRIs can differentiate clearly between these two pathologies as the bump on the shin bone will be clearly displayed with the presence of Osgood-Schlatter (Boston Children’s Hospital, 2023). Treatment of this painful condition will vary based on the severity of the condition and age and activity of the child in question. Utilizing knee braces or kinesiology taping can help give support to the knee muscles and tendons. Some cases may call for a complete change in activity, and others
PAIN MEDICATIONS INTRODUCTION
chronic pain. Subsequently, we will look at the difference between different medications, some of the common names, and their side effects. Pain medications in general are not total contraindications for therapeutic massage but require caution. Both over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can interfere with the client’s ability to give proper feedback about pressure. Deep tissue work is contraindicated unless the medication can be timed to be taken after the session.
Pain medications are available both over the counter and as prescription drugs. Over-the-counter pain oral medications are commonly taken to treat more common pain conditions such as headaches, backaches, and joint pain, or to reduce inflammation and fever. You may be familiar with the most common of these medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Prescription pain medications are now being distributed and prescribed less frequently due to the opioid crisis. Prescription pain medications can be habit forming and should only be used to treat severe acute and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Many anti-inflammatory medications are nonopioid analgesics and are available without a prescription. Doctors often find them appropriate for the treatment of acute and
chronic effects. People with inflammation should be treated for both relief from pain and to slow or limit damage to the tissues that is the underlying cause. Nonsteroidal anti-
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