Lipomas? A little help (all thoughts welcomed) :)

[coygina]

I was massaging a client recently and she has problems with her legs, or more specifically her kneecaps are too small for the area resulting in them coming out of the socket sometimes. That being said, the problem is not directly related to that, but it was more an explanation as to why the client can only do limited activity and is overweight as a result. Now ... to the problem, I was working on her upper back, but realised that some of the tension I was feeling I was sure was coming from her legs. On palpation and subsequent stroking/effleuraging etc. she reacted greatly to the touching of MANY areas on her legs as there was stabbing pains (much like the pain you get with illiotibial band syndrome etc.) and when I was trying to go deeper to feel the muscles I found many ridges right up along her quads, adductors and behind her knees and along her calves. They were painful to the point she was unable to tolerate much more, so I of course eased up on the depth.

Now, I too have these ridges upon palpation of the same areas I checked on her. I have knock knees, flat feet & illiotibial band syndrome (I know, sexy, right?! What a catch!!! :P) anyway, when my tutor (also a physio) worked on my legs, I felt the same stabby sharp pains esp. around the medial side of the knees (closer to the back) I thought they were maybe bursas & built up lactic acid, but on feeling lumps on my client, I would like to know what these lumps/bumps/ridges or whatever you want to call them are ... anyone have any experience with this? I am not sure how to get rid of them when the mere touch is painful for her

Gina

[Jabba The Hut]

Classic massage on lipomas can be excrutiatingly painful - you could try referring her for manual lymphatic drainage. MLD won't get rid of the lipomas - they generally require surgical intervention, but the technique certainly helps to alleviate the pain and reduce the size of the lipomas. Further down the line, your client may be advised to wear compression garments - these really help to control pain too.

When you say she is overweight - is this body wide, or confined to the area below her waist to her ankles? Does she have a normal upper body - normal hands - no swelling in her feet?? She may have a condition known as lipoedema.

[coygina]

It's body wide, she is an apple shape (endomorph). Now I am not saying that these ridges are Lipomas, but it was the only thing I could come up with upon research that didn't refer to cancer :S (really not wanting to scare the patient as it is my mother-in-law ) but I also became more interested in these ridges/bumps because I noticed them on parts of my own muscle fibres (I likened it to running your fingers/thumbs along a string of pearls or beads). Before I researched more, I told her I thought it was to do with her lymph nodes and the lymphatic system, but I would research a little more as I hadn't the qualifications to diagnose anything. But it seems like you have experience with what I am talking about and I should perhaps see if we can find her a therapist that deals with lymphatic drainage (although we live in Norway, and I don't know many that do a wide range of massage so I might have to take a course myself and add to my repertoire )

And yes, on palpation and attempted massage of these areas, I could see it was not a pleasant experience for her (and from personal experience, I know myself that it can be intolerable pain). I have recommended that the next time she is at the doctors to mention these lumps so she can have a professional opinion. But would you suggest avoiding massage on her legs, particularly these ridges, at least until there is a clear answer to what they are?

[Jabba The Hut]

I just pm'd you - I hope you got it, as I just realised you are a newbie and may not have full access yet!