Massage for a paralized client

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Comment by Jill Jenks on August 21, 2011 at 5:13pm

A year ago I began working with auto accident victims - all of my clients have spinal cord injuries and most have traumatic brain injuries. I have found virtually no information with regards to working with these clients, including those that deal with paralysis. It has been frustrating not having anyone to discuss issues with.

I currently have one L1 complete cauda equina client, male, age 28 whose injury was incurred less than one year ago. His paralysis starts at the T9 range, much higher than anticipated for his injury. He complains of "nerve pain" along the inferior edge of T12, left posterior.

I have been doing deep myofascial work in that area, extended along the QL to the hip. We have steadily been moving his "numb band", which is now 2 inches below his previous location.

The "nerve pain" he feels goes away during the session, and stays away for several hours, but returns. We actively stretch the QL's and iliopsoas.

I am hoping to bring more continual relief, particularly in this area. I am also interested in seeing if any of you have had success in relieving paralysis by removing scar tissue and/or myofascial restrictions.

 

 

 

 

Comment by Terry Craddock on December 2, 2010 at 3:53pm

Roger, I am so glad that you continue to serve this young man...The greatest thing in watching some one respond and open up is the joy shared by both the practioner and the client. When i am working with my S.B. clients I am always amazed and wonder who is getting the most benefit...them or me...Assisting this group of people is more a privilage than anything else that can be used to describe what we do. I am thankful that I was led in this direction and I strongly encourage my fellow therapist to learn more about the special needs groups and there are a lot of them and find one that touches thier soul...it is worth the journey....

Comment by Roger D. Werstler on December 2, 2010 at 12:36pm

After a full year of treating Keagan, I have seen limited but wonderful improvements in his life. He once was very withdrawn and not very communitative when first approached after the paralysis set in at age 9. At age 12 he is opening up beautifully. He was not willing to speak when first we met. I was fortunate to receive anything more than a nod or shug when he was asked a question. I challenged Keagan to think of several questions to ask me when I returned. Upon the return I asked for the questions. He asked me "Does it have to be about you?"."No", I said. "Anything you want to talk about." So he brought up the NCAA Basketball Tournament and we had a rousing discussion. Granted, a therapist normally should set an hour of silence as the goal, but he needed to open up his boundaries. We had some nice sports conversations since then and he even cancelled a few therapies for attending a dance party or a sporting event. It is so rewarding to see his wounded spirit soar again. Through Raindrop Therapy, and treatments to gently release the hamstrings, hip rotators, and adductors, I have seen his spastocity lessening and his legs are now uncoiling more each visit. We have seen nice progress so far and I pray that more is forthcoming. Healings are important to the total human , not just the muscles and physical. The spirit is also in need of healing and sometimes we just need to listen and show we care.

Comment by Roger D. Werstler on April 1, 2010 at 6:21am

Recently I have begun raindrop therapy on Keegan to reduce the stress in his back and release the scoliosis. It has helped him in this aspect. I am using accupressure and craniosacral treatments to relax the spastocity in his legs which were twisted into a tight fetal position. Some gentle work on his hamstrings, hip rotators, and adductors have aided in bringing his legs to rest. This requires great patience and it is not instant success, but I see gentle progress.

Comment by Terry Craddock on February 27, 2010 at 7:32pm

I do not wish to sound like the negative voices that your client will here from the medical profession." this is normal progression for this". unfortunately In my experience; I find that we can slow the process of contractures developing but we can not stop them.you might try to use muscle spindle techniques to activate the antagonist group in order to off set some of the contractures. you can use gentle ROM but with great care as time goes by you could cause injury and dislocate the hip or other joints...
What I have found that works best with neurological issues is treating the whole person and not concentrating on the part. I do this with a soft hand and short duration.This seems to calm the client and allow them to get some rest...and that will become more important as time goes by..

Comment by Roger D. Werstler on February 27, 2010 at 7:03pm

Thanks for your input, Terry. It is a sad situation for this boy because it was explained to the mother that while he lacks feeling below the waist, his nervous system is very much active by drawing his legs into this twisted fetal position.My intention is to release the tension in these spasms and allow his body to relax and come to rest. The upper body seems so normal, strong, and perfectly functional. I'm thinking that if I can gently coax his lower legs to come to rest one small step at a time. I'll consider trying the suggested gentle rocking motion, and a lymphatic type pressure as well. I look forward to your sharing.

Comment by Terry Craddock on February 27, 2010 at 10:58am

Hi all, I have been working with S.B. clients and many of the things I have learned can apply to people who have a neurological paralysis. First of all depending on what expert you talk to the spasticity is a protection function for the muscles to keep them activated..others believe it is a random firing of the neurons..Like forrest Gump, i believe it could be a little of both..I have found that gentle rocking motion can settle this action down fast..I have also used lymphatic type pressure to assist in settleing it down. E-mail me and i will be glad to share the wonders that I have found in dealing with my S.B. group..

Comment by Roger D. Werstler on February 26, 2010 at 8:34pm

It is great to have your comments here, Greg. I was working with a new client today who is 12 and he has been paralyzed from the waist down since age 9. He has ACM and his legs are dealing with spasticity. Does anyone have experience with this ailment and have any suggested therapy? I'm determined to help him improve his life.

Comment by Greg Jones on February 25, 2010 at 6:11pm

Hi all, working with people with paralysis is often a under served population. Most text books would indicate light swedish and if it is current maybe a little stretching. Most every client I have with paralysis benefits from stretching, if nothing else it helps to counter some of the tension the spasms people with paralysis usually have. I look forward to new ideas and concepts.

Comment by Roger D. Werstler on February 15, 2010 at 9:35am

While I have been an LMT for five years with many wonderful growth experiences in massage, I am now embarking into a new realm that I think can be beautiful for both the client AND the therapist. My new client is 12 years old and paralized from the waist down. He is not new to massage, but I travel to my clients and I believe this option is important to the family.