Neuropathy and Paralysis

[PJJ]

I will be doing massage on a client who has neuropathy in both legs and paralysis in one leg from the knee down. I have never done massage on either condition. Can someone offer advice ? I know to keep communication going throughout in terms of pressure, but that is about it. I want to help him but feel a bit inadequate...he just wants a relaxing massage. Thanks, I love you therapists who are so eager to help those of us who are new to certain situations. If it were not for you all, we might not have the courage you supply us with.

 

[aishahj1110]

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a tough one because first it's difficult to diagnose and there are several types of neuropathy. It is a nerve-ending problem so perhaps try a pain relieving gel that has capsaicin because the capsaicin will suppress the nerve endings and give temporary relief without having to rely on the prescription drugs that are full of side-effects.

Sombraman

 

[Rat-A-Tatter]

Neuropathy and Paralysis

Sombraman, thanks for the reply. Wanted to let you know I did the massage recently and the client was very happy. He had a stroke previously, hence the neuropathy and paralysis. Used a light pressure with long relaxing strokes, he was very relaxed and pleased.

 

[Scarlette Starr]

Neuropathy

I have two more very good websites for Neuropathy: http://www.neuropathy-trust.org. and, http://www.neuropathy.org. The second one goes into the different types of neuropathy, but both are quite informative.

Sombraman

 

[Shim]

Neuropathy

Thought this may help:

There are three broad types of neuropathy: sensory, autonomic and motor:
-Sensory neuropathy (or peripheral neuropathy, usually just called neuropathy) affects the nerves that carry information to the brain about sensations from various parts of the body - how hot or cold something is, what the texture of something feels like, the pain caused by a sharp object or heat, etc. This is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy.
-Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary activities of the body, such as the action of the stomach, intestine, bladder and even the heart.
-Motor neuropathy affects the nerves that carry signals to muscles to allow motions like walking and moving fingers. This form of neuropathy is very rare in diabetes.

Sensory neuropathy can lead to pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities and, ultimately, an inability to feel heat, cold, pain or any other sensation in affected areas. Autonomic neuropathy can lead to impotence in men, bladder neuropathy (which means the bladder is unable to empty completely), diabetic diarrhea, or bloated stomach. Motor neuropathy can lead to muscle weakness.

If you are diagnosed with neuropathy, your physician may use terms to describe the type that you have based on whether only one side of your body is affected (asymmetric) or both sides (symmetric). If only one kind of nerve is affected, your doctor may say you have mononeuropathy. If several nerves are affected, the term polyneuropathy may be used.

Sombraman

 

[Paultech]

Neuropathy reference

Stroke induced neuropathy is a central nervous system origin (vs. peripheral nervous system origin like in a compressed peripheral nerve). There are a lot of issues at play in terms of understanding what is going on for the client and how to treat them effectively.

I suggest you pick up a copy of Fiona Rattray's: Approach to Massge Treatments. It is an expensive, but very useful book in terms of treating complex conditions like this one!

Doug

 

[Pompal 09.]

Neuropathy

I came across some research I had done a while back on neuropathy, which I though might be useful:

Treatment Plan
The ideal in medicine is to treat the cause of a disease rather than its symptoms. Unfortunately, for patients with painful nerve injuries, this is often not possible. The majority of patients require some type of medical pain management.

Depending on the individual case, the first step is to try the topical local anesthetic patch, Lidoderm®. If local treatments do not work, doctors generally move on to one of the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). If these are not effective, or if there is a problem with side effects, the next step is to try gabapentin, sometimes in combination with a TCA. If patients still have significant pain, doctors may then prescribe antiarrhythmics.9

Finally, if all other options have been tried and failed, the last resort is to give patients the milder opioid, tramadol. If that does not work, then the more powerful opioids are used, often in combination with a TCA or other drug.

While neuropathic pain is often difficult to treat, new medicines and better approaches are now available. Research in this field is active and promises to provide further improvements in the near future.

Hope this will help someone!

Sombraman