I have recently qualified as an ITEC Holisitic Masseur. My first potential client is somewhat unusual.
I am working in Afghanistan as a volunteer with a charity so I am unable to get reliable medical advice. The Director of my charity has had arthritis in his spine for several years. He was on medication before coming to Afghanistan but has not taken any for the last two years. His arthritis has led to a trapped nerve which causes him severe discomfort which causes him to Hunch up his shoulders. The pain and discomfort he feels is sometimes enough to keep him from work or force him to work reduced hours.
His Afghan doctor told me massage would be good for him. I am concerned at the involvement of his vertebrae though so I don't want to just plough in there on his shoulder and spinal muscles and aggravate his condition.
Can anyone advise me as to how to proceed? Is this just a case I should not touch?
I've responded to your thread in the "massage" board
This needs a doctors permission. We were trained not to massage arthritis.I am a sufferer of Rhuematoid arthritis and I have been told that I shouldn't be massaged but I love it and swear blind it does me good.
You could amssage other areas of his body, and stay away from his vertebrae. His shoulders are going to be hunched and tight, which in turn is going to have pulled his pecs into little knotted balls, so working his arms and chest area will help him a great deal.
Grizelda, I would not hesitate to massage you as long as your RA was not in it's acute phase. I was trained that that's the only time you wouldn't massage. It's of enormous benefit. 🙂