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hard lumps under ribs

While massaging a client while supine, I detected hard "lumps" under the ribs on both sides, but mostly on the left side. Should I be concerned for him? what could it be.? since it's both sides, is it possible that his organs (the spleen and liver) hang low? He's a good client. I don't want to concern him too much but I do want him to get help as soon as possible if necessary.

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Permalink Reply by Mariah Nelson on July 17, 2009 at 12:11am

Hi,
I don't think I can be of much help, but I've been having questions like this myself and hopefully there's someone out there with info and I'm researching a problem I have with a client and a rib area situation myself. You said this is a good client, so I'm assuming you've worked on him before. Is this a new thing or have you noticed this with him before?
Mariah

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Permalink Reply by hiyala indiga on July 17, 2009 at 10:50pm

I did notice it once before. since it was the same on both sides, i just figured it was him.. but i hate to assume .. somebody else thought it mgiht be ascending or descending colon is "jammed" .. but it was really kind of "hard as a bone.. but lumpy..

Mariah Nelson said:

Hi,
I don't think I can be of much help, but I've been having questions like this myself and hopefully there's someone out there with info and I'm researching a problem I have with a client and a rib area situation myself. You said this is a good client, so I'm assuming you've worked on him before. Is this a new thing or have you noticed this with him before?
Mariah

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Permalink Reply by vinny andrews on July 18, 2009 at 5:46am

hiyala... when finding aspects of a client's body that I cannot identify, but appear unusual, I always ask them about it. The client may already have an answer.... or not. Because we touch and palpate over client's whole bodies, we often end up knowing things about their bodies beyond what they know; I think it puts us in a unique position to be helpful.

Explaining what I found, expressing my observations (except likely not using the word "lumps" as that immediately brings up images of cancers in many minds). I'd say something like "I find this hard area just under your ribs"..."everyone's body is somewhat different, and I am not sure it is even a problem, it might be just part of the way you're "built", but i suggest you might want your doctor to check this out, basically to see if it is something I can be helpful with..or whether it is just a natural part of your bodies structure, and not a problem at all" ,

Some years ago I foundthis "lump", rock like, in area of rhomboids... hardest lump I ever felt. Was really concerned it was some sort of growth. Suggested the client go to her doctor. She did..well, a "nurse practitioner.." She said..."it's a tight rhomboid" and also said (and I picture this as being spoken in a Long Island accented high pitched voice)... "doesn't that massage therapist know a rhomboid? "

So my ego bas slightly damped...but was glad to have the opinion...and glad it was benign and workable.
Your client's doc might say he/she just has great abs... : )

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Permalink Reply by Heather on July 18, 2009 at 4:33pm

Hi there,

Not underestimating your intelligence by any means (so please don't be offended), but are you sure that you weren't just feeling the "floating ribs"? They can feel, well, weird. The only reason that I ask is because you said that it was bilateral.

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Permalink Reply by hiyala indiga on July 18, 2009 at 11:10pm

well, i have never felt anything like this before.. perhaps it was floating ribs. he is quite thin, so maybe I just haven't been able to feel them on other clients. but would they be protruding at the sides of the body..??

Heather Grenzig said:

Hi there,

Not underestimating your intelligence by any means (so please don't be offended), but are you sure that you weren't just feeling the "floating ribs"? They can feel, well, weird. The only reason that I ask is because you said that it was bilateral.

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Permalink Reply by hiyala indiga on July 18, 2009 at 11:12pm

lypomas? does that have something to do with the lymph? How do they feel. ? these were like really hard.. did not give in any way.
Matt Murray, Lmp said:

Lypomas?

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Permalink Reply by hiyala indiga on July 18, 2009 at 11:14pm

thanks vinny.. good to know that othes sometimes falter too. he did have his dr look at it but the dr dismissed it as "nothing to be concerned about". I don't trust that drs really know much when it comes to tissue.
vinny andrews said:

hiyala... when finding aspects of a client's body that I cannot identify, but appear unusual, I always ask them about it. The client may already have an answer.... or not. Because we touch and palpate over client's whole bodies, we often end up knowing things about their bodies beyond what they know; I think it puts us in a unique position to be helpful.

Explaining what I found, expressing my observations (except likely not using the word "lumps" as that immediately brings up images of cancers in many minds). I'd say something like "I find this hard area just under your ribs"..."everyone's body is somewhat different, and I am not sure it is even a problem, it might be just part of the way you're "built", but i suggest you might want your doctor to check this out, basically to see if it is something I can be helpful with..or whether it is just a natural part of your bodies structure, and not a problem at all" ,

Some years ago I foundthis "lump", rock like, in area of rhomboids... hardest lump I ever felt. Was really concerned it was some sort of growth. Suggested the client go to her doctor. She did..well, a "nurse practitioner.." She said..."it's a tight rhomboid" and also said (and I picture this as being spoken in a Long Island accented high pitched voice)... "doesn't that massage therapist know a rhomboid? "

So my ego bas slightly damped...but was glad to have the opinion...and glad it was benign and workable.
Your client's doc might say he/she just has great abs... : )

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Permalink Reply by Kerry Lewis on July 20, 2009 at 9:25am

i have a client that has harmless fatty deposits in various places. they are very hard. i forget the technical name for those lumps (shame on me) but i know a few people that have them. i know my floating ribs get out of place very easily. as someone else mentioned that is a possiblity as well :)

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Permalink Reply by Heather on July 20, 2009 at 7:22pm

You're describing the lipomas that another poster spoke of. They are fatty tumors, essentially--completely benign--but can occur anywhere. Depending on their size and location, they can feel hard or soft. Generally the ones that I have felt are easily movable. They may diminish over time or not. Sorry it all sounds rather vague :)

Kerry Lewis said:

i have a client that has harmless fatty deposits in various places. they are very hard. i forget the technical name for those lumps (shame on me) but i know a few people that have them. i know my floating ribs get out of place very easily. as someone else mentioned that is a possiblity as well :)