I've got a lady coming in on Saturday who is not very well: she has fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis as well as having had five back operations and is fused to the waist. She needs to use a wheelchair when she goes out.
She's on steroids and a whole load of other medication, her biggest problem is muscle spasm which is usually in her back, arms etc but at the moment it is in her groin and left leg. She's had sciatica in the past but usually in the right leg.
She was also diagnosed with high blood pressure about a month and a half ago but it is getting under control with the help of medication.
I'm planning to make this first session a bit longer then normal, really want to make sure there is enough time for the initial consultation as well as the treatment.
Obviously the key here will be to be very, very sensitive and gentle with/about her, and get lots of feedback.
Has anyone had a client with similar problems?
Does anyone have any specific tips w.r.t. any of the above conditions?
Thanks!
:eek::eek::eek::eek:
best to listen to the client, i'm sure her feedback will guide you!
good luck
INDO
With her history of fibromyalgia - if this is her first treatment ever, or for a while, I would keep it short as it may induce muscle spasm - sounds daft, but it does happen. Build up the treatment times over a course of sessions. I have several severely disabled clients and they could not tolerate more than around 20/30 minutes for the first few treatments. Or, if she is used to massage, recommend a short initial treatment, which will give you more time for the consultation and to get a 'feel' of her general condition and what you think she may or may not tolerate during future sessions.
Yes-lots of similar clients. Keep it gentle, cushion under tummy to reduce chances of spasm, treat in a seated position if possible for the same reason and as you say judge what the client wants very sensitively.
Thanks for your replies! She normally has massage and acupuncture every week, but her regular therapist is 8 months pregnant and won't be able to treat her for a little while.
The therapist will give me a ring today, which will be very useful, so I can discuss with her as well.
Just find out as much as you can in advance and take it gently. Heavy steriod meds can also cause the skin to dry out a lot and sometimes flake, so be mindful of the medium you use too to ensure the skin is protected if this is an issue for this client.
Iv'e treated clients in wheelchairs and with fibromyalgia before but really every client is so different that it's difficult to give much advice. It's great that her regular therapist can guide you. This will make it a lot easier to know what to do. You can even get her to run through the usual routine she does, if in fact she has one. You can also ask her about what techniques she's found work best etc. This will be a great learning experience for you.
Thanks for your replies everyone. The therapist hasn't rung me in the end, and the client wouldn't give me her number! Seeing her this afternoon, I will let you all know how it went!
I have seen the lady today. I managed to speak to her usual therapist just before the session, which helped to get a bit more background information and some pointers for the session.
I think it went ok. Just took it very easy, and worked with a lot of sensitivity (i think). Basically just did what she asked for: she of course knows her own body best.
I have never treated anyone who is in constant agony, like she is. Weekly massages help her to cope, but her last massage was nearly 2 weeks ago and she hasn't slept the past few nights because of her pain. She got a bit emotional halfway through the session, saying that she sometimes feels like just giving up, taking a load of pills or something. I can't blame her: it must be so hard for her. She is progressively getting worse, so who knows what it will be like for her in a few years time...?
I really hope I have been able to help her a little bit today. She usually feels worse for about a day after a massage she said. Hopefully she'll start feeling better tomorrow. I hope she can get some sleep.
It's meeting people like her that make me feel embarrassed about myself: here I am moaning that I'm tired or stressed or my legs or back hurt or whatever, or I moan about life in general, while she would probably give everything to feel only half as good as me...
The poor lady recently had swine flu as well!
well done pinky, sounds like you did a good job, and with a lot of empathy.
getting upset was probably a good sign, as the contact she had with you was an emotional release and reassurance.
my mum has many of the same problems, although not as severely, and i know if she were having a treatment like yours she would feel overwhelmed at the sensation of being soothed and looked after by someone - a light in the darkness when you are in pain.
you've made me feel pretty humble though - i hope i can do as good a job as you have when i qualify next year!!