Pharmacology

This course is a follow-up to A Massage Therapist’s Introduction to Pharmacology Part 1.

In this one-hour self-paced unit, we look at the medications that are recommended to manage the following conditions:

• Pain and inflammation
• Cardiovascular disease, specifically high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood clotting problems
• Diabetes

For each medication on our list we will cover pharmacodynamics, common side effects, and appropriate accommodations for massage therapy.

Participants will be able to…

• Identify common names of drugs used for each of the categories of disorders
• Describe how the drugs work to create physiologic changes
• Predict possible side effects for each drug under discussion
• Plan appropriate massage therapy accommodations for drugs and side effects

It is safe to say that all massage therapists have clients who use medication. Many massage therapists want more information on how those medications work, and how massage might affect their function. This introductory pharmacology class addresses basic principles of drug mechanisms, possible side effects and adverse reactions, and how massage therapy can be adjusted to meet those concerns.

Participants will be able to…

• Participants will be able to…define pharmacology…
  • Nomenclature
  • Drug classification
  • Pharmacotherapeutics
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Pharmacodynamics
• Read and interpret a standard drug guide
• List common side effects that are relevant to massage therapy
• Predict appropriate accommodations for medications and side effects

COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges to the massage therapy profession, including how to make safe, effective, evidence-informed decisions about working with clients who have recovered from this infection.

This engaging webinar will focus on what we currently understand about COVID-19, including pathophysiology, communicability, and complications. We will also discuss risks and benefits related to massage, with some screening suggestions for safety.

Participants will be able to…

• Participants will be able to…Describe the pathophysiology of COVID-19 with emphasis on communicability and tissue damage
• List several complications of COVID-19 that must influence choices about massage therapy
• Discuss possible risks and benefits related to massage therapy for clients who have had COVID-19
• Refer to a list of screening questions to help establish the safety of massage therapy for clients who have had COVID-19