Daytona Massage NewAgeTouch

Musculoskeletal System Conditions

Myositis Ossificans means muscle inflammation with bone formation. It’s not so much as inflammation as it is bone growth in muscle or soft tissues. The condition often affects adolescents and young adults, and it usually occurs in the quadriceps and brachialis. Treatment tends to be conservative, in the subacute phase is passive stretching to employ and restore range of motion, followed by exercise to restore muscle strength. Massage treatment is locally contraindicated and massage around the boney growth and stimulate the body’s own mechanisms to reabsorb the useless deposit.

Postural Deviations although through of as straight the spine is curved in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions giving the body the ability to absorb shocks or jolts of the body.  If the natural curves are overdeveloped, depending on the regions can produce humpback, swayback, or scoliosis. An important thing is to difference between structural and functional problems. In the early stages it is usually soft tissue that is pulling the bones out of natural curvature and massage can be done to correct the soft tissue dysfunctions that pull the bone out of natural alignment. Massage will not make any of these conditions worse, and may well offer relief by simply reducing some of the tension that both causes and accompanies spinal imbalances. If the therapist is very skilled and the circumstances are just right, massage may be able to set the stage for permanent change in the bony alignment.

Osteoarthritis also called degenerative joint disease is a condition where the synovial joints, especially weight bearing joints, loose healthy cartilage. This condition is directly affected by wear and tear on the join and age of the joint structures.  This condition is by far the most common type of arthritis in the world affecting 20/40 million Americans. Men and women are affected in equal numbers usually over the age of 75. Osteoarthritis is an occupational hazard for massage therapists, occurring at the saddle joint of the thumb. Massage is indicated for this condition for pain relief in the surrounding muscles and to maintain range of motion through gentle stretching and passive range of motion exercises.

Marfan Syndrome is the result of a genetic mutation which leads to the production of dysfunctional fibrillin, a key connective tissue fiber.  This is a autosomal defect, which is not gender specific, and each child of a parent with Marfan Syndrome has a 50/50 chance of having it. Symptoms include flat chest with protruding sternum or sunken sternum which is common, heart problems, eye disorders, and nervous system anomalies and also a part of the syndrome. An example of the symptoms would be abnormally long fingers, flat feet, hernias, and hammertoes.  Deep tissue is contraindicated. Swedish massage minus tapotement, friction, deep effleurage and petrissage can be done. Lymphatic drainage is supportive, along with shiatsu, and reflexology.

Bursitis, which is simply inflammation of the bursae, is small sacs of connective tissue throughout the human body. Normally the human body has about 160 different bursae, but the body can produce new ones if an area needs additional protection. Bursitis comes in all shapes and sizes and can also be called, housemaid’s knee, student’s elbow, and Weaver’s bottom which is bursitis on the ischial tuberocity. Bursitis is locally contraindicated specially in the acute phase. If local areas can be released without irritating the area, some range of motion may be restored, but you must take care not to irritate the bursa again. Massage is indicated when bursitis does not involve an infection, massage is certainly indicated. You should also look for compensation patterns that may contribute to pain.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a neurovascular entrapment. The nerves of the brachial plexus or the blood vessels running to or from the arm are impinged or impaired at one or more of three places: between the anterior and medial scalene, between the clavicle and the first rib, or under the coracoids process. Unless the TOS is related to issues other than muscular imbalance, massage is unlikely to make much lasting difference, however, if it is related to muscular problems, it can respond very well to bodywork. The client should also learn some stretches and strengthening exercises for pectoralis minor, its antagonists, and the scalene.

Posted on December 27th, 2008 under School, pathology • Tags: Myositis Ossificans. • RSS 2.0 feed • Leave a response, or trackback