Pulmonary embolism & DVT

[Im a mexican muslim]

Hi all,

On Friday a client came in for a deep tissue massage, mainly on his calves (mainly the right this time). I saw him a couple of times last summer for the same thing: he is a rugby player and often struggles with tightness in his calves (last summer it was mainly his left calf).

He told me on Friday that he suffered a pulmonary embolism in October, following a couple of long-haul flights. They suspected it was caused by a DVT in his left calf. He has been on medication since then, and will be for another month or so.

Off the top of my head, I remembered that you have to avoid massage for 3 months or so, given that it has been about 5 months, I thought it would be ok to massage, especially as he is on that medication still.

Have been reading up on it a bit now, and it seems that you should always massage a person quite gently if there is a history of clotting/DVT/embolism, and possibly avoid the calves.

However the client has booked a series of (deep tissue) massages with me over the next few weeks to relief the tightness in his calves.

What should I do?

 

[Turtle]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

Definitely ask him to get his doctor's permission, and maybe get some instruction from the doctor as to what he/she thinks you should do. Always be guided by a medical professional in these cases: pulmonary embolisms can kill.

 

[* E r i c a *]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

Yep, this is one I would be reluctant to do, no matter how tight his calves are.

He is probably been put on short term warfarin (did you ask?) so it might be worth finding out about that too.

Patchouli

 

[Lucky Ducky]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

I wouldn't treat until he's spoken to his GP about it.

Myarka.

 

[Clark Kent]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

Thanks guys, I have written the client an e-mail asking to talk to his GP and saying we can't carry on until he has done so. Hope he understands!

 

[Melissa <3]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

If he values his life he will have to understand and then appreciate your concern!

 

[Grekysselza]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

You just need to be a little more assertive here,better safe than sorry and the code of ethics etc. etc.You will no doubt come up against similar situations in the future.You have done the right thing.

 

[gabriela]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

hi,
DVT is a total contraindication for deep tissue massage. It is contraindicated for light massage for up to 6 months after the medical diagnosis.

That said, if the guy has tight calves, I wouldnt use massage at all, there are lots of other things that I would use, and I wouldnt risk it.

Remember that just because a GP says something is ok to do, doesnt make it right. If anything happened you would still be held liable, and you dont have the same protection that a medical doctor has.

 

[Legacy]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

Yes, that's why GP's rarely ever give consent as (as far as they are concerned) they do not want to be liable for another practitioners practice (nor should they be).

The GP consent thing has been raised numerous times on HP's. It is something I, personally, do not believe in.

Patchouli

 

[Bobbie]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

If they are taking Warfarin or other blood thinners, deep pressure shouldn't be used anywhere on their body. People can bruise very easily when taking this kind of medication even sometimes when light pressure is used. I would say a definite no no - I wouldn't bother going down the GP consent route as they won't give it anyway. I would personally wait until they have stopped the meds and 6 months has passed. Get him to do some light exercise and stretches to help loosen off the muscles.

 

[The Stubborn One]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

i have had a dvt in my leg and asked my dr for permission and he wouldnt give it saying doctors would only say ok if the patient really wanted the treatment as it could jepordise their insurance mine was 6 yrs ago so i took my own advice but a few months is defo not long enough it took me 12 month of injections before it had gone

 

[Jizzflakes Jr.]

Pulmonary embolism & DVT

Thats good advice there.

I wouldnt even have considered treating seeing as deep tissue massage is a contraindication, regardless of what my client wanted, or his GP said.