a community of practitioners

Throbbing and pain in calf

I just gave a Thai massage to a woman who has had intermittent pain in her mid right hamstring down through the popliteal fossa and anterior inferior to the knee. I gently stepped on her gastroc gradually increasing pressure I felt a throbbing sensation. When asked she said she felt it too. It was very tender to my touch right away which is why I slowly slowly increased pressure. She does have varicose veins but they are above it at the knee and quad. I have heard that varicose isn't always visible so maybe this was what it was? She is heavier but walks almost every day. I'm concerned it might be worse (DVt?) however don't want to alarm her. Any thoughts or advice?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kimberly Campbell on January 12, 2012 at 10:59am

Here is a great web site that I use often even for myself: WebMD with a link for DVt. You were right not to alarm her. As we are not doctors we should never try to diagnose nor should we even allude to a diagnosis. Whenever I am unsure I tell my clients that it never hurts to check with their doctor. As simple as saying, "Since you're feeling discomfort in that area and you already have a medical issue that might relate, it never hurts to double check with your primary care physician." If they have already checked and the doctor is unconcerned, then I do my best to treat the symptoms.

There is a possibility that do to her everyday routines and lifestyle, she may have a trigger point that is causing the symptoms that you have described therefore not being directly related to the varicose veins. Sometimes the throbbing you feel is simply the blood pumping through and area. Since she does have varicose veins, her system has to work harder to pump the blood through and pressure techniques keep the blood from continually flowing causing a build up of pressure that feels like throbbing. Unfortunately, there are so many possibilities that most of the time the best option is trial and error.