Clients with Factor V

[needtoknow]

Recently I saw a client who had been diagnosed with Factor V, which basically means she has a genetic predispostion for blood clots. I asked about her history with blood clots and she has never had any. No major surgeries, no major injuries. I was going to do a light to medium pressure swedish, as is the caution, but she was very insistent that she did not enjoy light pressure and was always looking for a therapist who was willing to do deep tissue.
She seems to be in good health other than the fact that she is very overweight. Would a deeper massage be safe for her?

 

[IWillWaterBoardScottWhite]

Clients with Factor V

Ask for a physicians release. You can write it up stating that the Factor V is a concern and asking specifically if deep tissue massage is allowable.

 

[The Taoist]

Clients with Factor V

Recently I saw a client who had been diagnosed with Factor V, which basically means she has a genetic predispostion for blood clots. I asked about her history with blood clots and she has never had any. No major surgeries, no major injuries. I was going to do a light to medium pressure swedish, as is the caution, but she was very insistent that she did not enjoy light pressure and was always looking for a therapist who was willing to do deep tissue.
She seems to be in good health other than the fact that she is very overweight. Would a deeper massage be safe for her?

Is the client on any kind of meds for her factor V? If the patient has not had an occurance of blood clots and they do not have other risk factors doctors sometimes just suggest they take an aspirin a day. Does she have any other health issues or blood conditions? Being overweight is one risk factor, as is being on birth control, alcohol consumption, smoking...

To protect yourself (CYA), I would ask for a physician's release for the deep tissue work.

A family friend has factor V Leiden and it has definitely lead to complications and other health problems for her. She is on Cumadin for her Factor V as she has had clots, therefore the only time I ever massaged her I did a swedish masseforum.xxxe for stress relief. And believe me, living with such a health condition can be very stressful.

I believe once you work it out with the patient/client and her doctor as to what you can and can't do, that you could become a vital resource for her.

Factor V Leiden has also touched my immediate family. My niece caught an unknown virus which settled in her brain. She had been on birth control pills and they along with the virus, caused an aneurism, which along with her Factor V Leiden (which she did not know she had) ultimately caused her death. She was an otherwise healthy, fit, 35 year old. (She lived about 12 days after diagnosis.) My family is still trying to deal with her loss, nearly 4 years later.

I hope it works out for you and this client to have a long and fruitful relationship. And I hope you will keep us posted on how things work out!

 

[Jan S]

Clients with Factor V

There is light work, and then there is light work.

There is deep work, and then there is deep work.

In my six years of performing massage, I have come to learn that one
client's deep is another client's light. I have also come to learn that what
I consider deep work isn't what every one of my clients considers deep work.

What kind of deep work does she want? Does she want you to dig in and do
muscle specific work? Or does she just want you to lean in more and give her
a firmer touch over a broader area?

Most of my clients don't want a deep digging massage that is going to hurt.
I get complemented on my sessions all the time. I can achieve wonders for the
vast majority of my clients without causing much discomfort at all. I make sure
they know sometimes they have to come back more often for a while and I make
them aware the effects of poor posture.

To me, it sounds like this lady has run into a string of MT's who are afraid to work
on her. Ask her what she considers deep tissue work. Tell her what your definition
of deep tissue work and see if you can give her what she wants. You may have
different ideas of what deep tissue massage really is.

 

[wouthezx]

Clients with Factor V

Remember too, that the slower you go with whatever techniques you are using, the deeper they can feel to the person you are working on. My "moderate" pressure done at a moderate pace feels fine to most folks, whereas, some of my male clients complain of it bordering on mild discomfort if I do the same techniques more slowly which allows me to sink in just a tiny bit deeper than if I work at my usual pace.

Just slowing down a bit may be what your client needs to perceive your work as being deeper.

 

[iloveu21222]

Clients with Factor V

maestra wrote:

Is the client on any kind of meds for her factor V?

She didn't list any medication on her intake form, but sometimes there are clients who hold that info back. Either way, she didn't say she was taking anything, and was very upfront and comfortable with sharing her health background, so I'm assuming she's being honest.

Thanks for the advice about the physician's release form. I'll keep that in mind if she comes back to my clinic.