a community of practitioners

Anyone know anything with regard to viral neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy as it relates to getting massage?

I have a potential client who said her doctor has given her permission to get massage and she had issues with viral neuropathy. She wants work on her back and neck muscles which she said have atrophied some as a result of this condition.

I am somewhat familiar with the condition but would like to know if any of you have had similar clients and what type of work you did on them and what types of things did you refrain from doing.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on February 28, 2011 at 7:17pm

I have never had a client with viral neuropathy, but certainly have treated many people with peripheral neuropathies from other causes such as injuries or entrapment syndromes.

As long as the doctor has approved the massage, I don't think you have to worry about the fact that this was a viral neuropathy.

Massage in itself will not "fix" atrophied muscles. The client will have to do specific therapeutic exercises to rebuild these muscles and that will only be possible if the nerve supply to the muscles is present. If you feel competent to prescribe and demonstrate exercises that are specific to these muscles, then you can do so, if not she should be referred to a therapist who can do this - possible physiotherapy.

However what you can do is increase and improve circulation to the problem muscles, loosen up any adhesions that are present, relieve pain, and mobilize any structures that have lost mobility. Also treat any compensating muscles that have had to take over the work of the atrophied muscles.

I had a client who had a winged scapula as a result of a neuropathy from an injury, and had great success with her. .

Just be careful massaging atrophied muscles since they are somewhat flaccid and should not be stretched.

Permalink Reply by Alexei Levine on February 28, 2011 at 10:00pm

Be careful re: prescribing exercises, this is outside the scope of practice of massage therapy. Could lead to injury of the client, and also a legal mess, as your insurance will not cover this.

lee kalpin said:

I have never had a client with viral neuropathy, but certainly have treated many people with peripheral neuropathies from other causes such as injuries or entrapment syndromes.

As long as the doctor has approved the massage, I don't think you have to worry about the fact that this was a viral neuropathy.

Massage in itself will not "fix" atrophied muscles. The client will have to do specific therapeutic exercises to rebuild these muscles and that will only be possible if the nerve supply to the muscles is present. If you feel competent to prescribe and demonstrate exercises that are specific to these muscles, then you can do so, if not she should be referred to a therapist who can do this - possible physiotherapy.

However what you can do is increase and improve circulation to the problem muscles, loosen up any adhesions that are present, relieve pain, and mobilize any structures that have lost mobility. Also treat any compensating muscles that have had to take over the work of the atrophied muscles.

I had a client who had a winged scapula as a result of a neuropathy from an injury, and had great success with her. .

Just be careful massaging atrophied muscles since they are somewhat flaccid and should not be stretched.