Case study The management of pain and GI discomfort with therapeutic massage in pregnancy. Name : Lynda Age: 32 Gestational Age : 25 weeks Medical history : Patient is generally healthy and participates in regular exercise. She is a nonsmoker with no preeclampsia or special circumstances in the pregnancy. Patient is experiencing heartburn and intense lower back pain. This is the patient’s first pregnancy. Presenting symptoms : Lynda to date is a healthy female who is 25 weeks pregnant and who up until this past two weeks has had little to no discomfort, nausea, or pain. She has however the past two weeks been experiencing intermittent heart burn, and intense low back pain to the point that it is interfering with her regular diet and exercise regimen. Pain is interfering with her job duties where she is required to sit for long periods of time, which has now become very difficult due to the sacral discomfort. Assessment : Upon assessment from Lynda’s healthcare provider, they confirmed that her pregnancy was processing well with no major complications. They believe the pain and GI symptoms were merely common symptoms that are associated with pregnancy. The growing uterus in pregnancy causes increased pressure on both the digestive organs and musculoskeletal system. Treatment plan : Given the severity of Lynda’s discomfort, a multidimensional approach was suggested. This approach would implement both complementary medicinal approaches and involve minimal pharmaceutical intervention. ● Lifestyle and diet changes : Lynda was told to avoid spicy and greasy foods for the heartburn. Also, she was advised to not lie down directly after eating, and to eat smaller but more frequent meals. ● Prenatal massage and physical therapy : Lynda opted to receive prenatal massage therapy from a licensed prenatal massage therapist to help relieve her lower back pain. The therapist focused on cross fiber frictions across the sacrum, pertrisage and kneading techniques on the quadriceps and hamstrings, and gentle round circulatory massage on ligaments around the hip flexors. The therapist also used gentle abdominal massage and circulatory techniques to ease muscle tension around the esophagus and chest to help with heartburn symptoms. Lynda also has begun seeing a therapist who specializes Conclusion In this course we have looked at gastrointestinal and pain conditions, the medications that treat them, and the interactions and benefits that therapeutic massage can have with those conditions. Having a good base knowledge of these conditions and medications can help you effectively design a treatment plan encompassing all aspects of your patient’s concerns. Also, we have seen how manual therapy can have significant benefits to both GI and pain conditions and can work in conjuncture with medications to improve the overall quality of life of your patients. It is very important that therapists know their role is not to prescribe or recommend medications for individuals. However, you can support patients and their healthcare practitioner by having the knowledge and confidence as a therapist to help treat their conditions with alternative manual therapy approaches.
in pelvic health. Therapy has showed her stretching and strengthening techniques to improve flexibility and improve core strength, hopefully decreasing the strain on the low back. Therapy has provided her with a lumbar brace to wear below the pregnancy belly for support. ● Medications : In consultation with her healthcare provider, Lynda began taking antacids containing calcium corbonate as needed to help relieve more severe heartburn symptoms. These antacids were to only be taken when the lifestyle and diet changes were not sufficient to relieve symptoms. Progress and outcomes : Lynda noticed significant reduction in lower back pain after just a few massage and physical therapy sessions. The therapist was able to recommend a couple of self-massage techniques, and the physical therapy provided a home exercise program of exercises and stretches that Lynda implemented at home for continued care. The antacids reduced the severity of heartburn symptoms and the lifestyle changes reduced the frequency of symptoms. After three weeks of implementing the lifestyle changes, use of antacids and regular massage and pelvic therapy treatment, Lynda found her overall well-being and comfort to have improved significantly. Her heartburn and lower back pain improved enough for her to resume her regular activities and improve sleep patterns. Follow-up : Lynda continued with her regular prenatal care, updating her healthcare provider on her symptoms and her treatment plan, including frequency of massage and therapy visits, quantity of antacids taken, and lifestyle/diet changes she was consistently implementing. Adjustments were made as needed, but in general the severity of her symptoms decreased for the remainder of her pregnancy. * * * * This case highlights the importance of personalized and diversified recommendations for treatment of symptoms that can occur commonly during pregnancy. It is noted that symptoms can be treated with limited pharmaceutical availability due to pregnancy. A holistic treatment plan with consistent and open communication between healthcare provider, patient, and complementary therapists is what facilitated the successful relief of symptoms. This in turns provides confidence and trust for the overall well-being of the patient and fetus.
WORKS CITED https://qr2.mobi/therapist-gastro
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Book Code: MTX1325
EliteLearning.com/ Massage-Therapy
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