Podcast

A seasoned massage therapist has just started working at a prestigious facility where client intakes are only conducted on the fly, and nothing is documented. Almost immediately, two clients present with complex situations that could be made substantially worse by thoughtless massage. 

What to do?

In this episode we explore this complex question. I have some thoughts from the massage side of the equation, and I also turned to an industry expert, Sherrie Tennessee, PhD, to help understand this from the point of view of the businesses.

I also speculate on what it would be like if I were Queen of the World, but that’s a bit beside the point.

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-520-facility-policies-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client has a recently placed stent in their left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The therapist isn’t clear about safety. What to do—get permission to work? Or get information to work safely? (You get two guesses, and one of them doesn’t count.)

This episode explores a helpful communication to establish client safety—and an example to us all!

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-514-lad-stent-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A massage therapist wonders about the communicability of herpes from lesions on the sacrum: how might this infection spread from one person to another? And Ruth leaps on the opportunity to talk about herpes epidemiology, communicability, and asymptomatic viral shedding. You won’t want to miss this one!

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-506-genital-herpes-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A 70-year-old client fills in an online intake form, saying she has myasthenia gravis, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. She only takes Synthroid, and says her hypothyroidism and hypertension are well controlled. She has low back pain and muscle soreness.

At first glance, this seems fairly simple. MG does not appear to be a major factor for her, because she is not controlling it with medication. But a closer look reveals some possible tangles between MG, hypothyroidism, and some cautions about hypertension drugs. 

Join me as I completely overthink this situation, it will be fun!

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-500-myasthenia-gravis-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A contributor sent me several descriptions of people dealing with the aftermath of Lyme disease, hoping for some answers to the questions this mysterious condition brings up. Sorry, no answers here—just more questions. Chronic Lyme disease, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, Long Lyme… whatever you call it, it’s hard to get a handle on it. But here’s a starting place. 

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-494-lyme-disease-aftermath-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

For his 40th birthday, a man is treating himself to his very first massage. His health history includes a few noteworthy details, one of which is a condition neither his massage therapist nor I had ever encountered before: hereditary spherocytosis. Are there any potential concerns? Possibly.

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-488-spherocytosis-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner