Podcast

A client reports she’s about to lose a kidney due to a kidney stone. That seems . . . extreme, doesn’t it? What’s probably happening is that she has a staghorn calculus: a stone that takes up all the space in her kidney. If it’s not removed it will continue to grow, which could lead to all kinds of problems.

What is a staghorn calculus? And what accommodations do we need to make for a person who has lost an entire vital organ? These questions and more on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .”

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-324-staghorn-calculus-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client is an adult man with spastic cerebral palsy. He has a Baclofen pump and is preparing for Botox injections. He’s also found a massage therapist who has the experience and expertise to help him—that’s amazing!

Understandably, the MT has questions about the Botox—what are the guidelines for manual therapy when this is used to treat spasticity? Well, that assumes that such guidelines exist, which is not a safe assumption. Listen to this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” for some thoughts about what to do next.

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-322-client-cerebral-palsy-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client reports she has Sprengel’s deformity and was told never to get massage or chiropractic. Nonetheless, she finds that massage is very helpful!

What is Sprengel’s deformity? And what are the questions we need to ask so we can make safe and effective clinical decisions?

Spoiler alert: It’s not as tricky as it sounds, and you’ll find out on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .”

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-320-sprengel-s-deformity-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client with hip and back pain is referred to a massage therapist by her chiropractor. But there’s a hitch: This person also has arrhythmia and hemochromatosis.

Hemochromatosis is one of the most common inherited disorders in White people, and it can lead to life-threatening complications. One of those complications might be a factor in this client’s situation. Fortunately, if it’s found early, hemochromatosis is highly treatable. Listen to this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” for more!

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-317-hemochromatosis-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client has chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath . . . on a mysteriously regular cycle. Testing shows masses in her lungs, but cancer is ruled out. The most likely situation here is thoracic endometriosis.

What is endometriosis, how did this client get it in her lungs, and—most importantly—can massage help with her signs or symptoms?

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-315-endometriosis-where-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner

A client has frequent ear infections, including now while he’s awaiting a prescription of antibiotics. He wants massage for his neck and shoulders. He has a history of a ruptured eardrum and several surgeries. And by the way, he’s a surfer. 

Usually, we say that massage and acute infections don’t really go together. But this client seems fine—he gets these infections often and they don’t impact his daily living.

Is that a go-ahead for massage? Maybe, maybe not.

Full show notes and resources available at https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-313-surfer-s-ear-i-have-client-who-pathology-conversations-ruth-werner