Podcast

An 82-year-old client lives with bladder cancer. After cataract surgery, he developed a urinary tract infection (UTI) and sepsis and had to spend 10 days in the hospital. Now he’s home, on IV antibiotics, and wants a massage.

His therapist wonders, will he ever be able to receive massage again?

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-292-sepsis-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A massage therapist accidentally finds an electrical wire running down their client’s neck, alongside their sternocleidomastoid (SCM) — surprise! It turns out to be a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device to help treat Parkinson’s disease.

DBS can also be used to treat a handful of other conditions, and treating more conditions continues to be investigated. So the chance you could have a client with a DBS device is higher than ever. How do we do that safely? Listen to this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . . ” for more.

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-290-dbs-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client is undergoing a series of intravenous iron infusions to treat anemia. Her doctor has cleared her for massage, but her massage therapist still has questions—as they should. What are the cautions or contraindications for someone who needs to supplement iron intravenously? Let’s find out.

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-288-iron-infusions-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client struggles to find the best way to tell her massage therapist about her trauma history. A massage therapist wants to make this an easier process, without running the risk of re-traumatizing clients. The whole thing is much more complicated than it looks.

What is trauma? Who’s a survivor? What is trauma-informed care? And where does massage therapy fit in?

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-285-trauma-sensitive-intake-forms-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client with a complex health situation wants massage to improve their heart rate variability, and they are prepared to track results with a smartwatch and a smart ring.

What does this mean?

Why does HRV matter?

Are there downsides to biometric tracking related to massage?

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-283-heart-rate-variability-and-biometric-devices-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth

Following a motor vehicle accident, a client has dystonia—a neurological problem with muscle tone. She is using two powerful muscle relaxants: Botox injections and a baclofen intrathecal pump.

Is there anything massage might do to help? Not only is the answer yes, but we even have some data to back it up!

Full show notes available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-280-dystonia-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner