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massage case studies
| Medical Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage Case History Two |
| Author Tanya Milne MDip DTM, Dip SRM, MISRM, MSMA |
Massage Practitioners and/or Complimentary Health Providers, are aware of, and believe in, the
efficacy and benefits of the treatments they provide and practice. Yet many in mainstream
western medical practice, due to a lack of “empirical scientific evidence”, dismiss or even rubbish
these treatments as merely psychological or the result of a placebo effect. The following case
study is presented as an addition to growing base of anecdotal evidence.
PATIENT
Female Age 73; Occupation - Retired; Previous medical history - degeneration of right hip joint,
had been awaiting surgery for two years.
PRESENTING CONDITION
Pain in the leg, back and shoulder regions.
ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
High blood pressure and circulatory problems.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
The client had been suffering from a degenerative hip and had to use a walking stick to get
around. As a consequence she was experiencing acute back and shoulder pain together with pain
in the leg of the unaffected hip. She received physiotherapy treatment, but was advised that the
problem was predominantly muscular, due to the hip condition. The physiotherapist referred the
client for massage, advising that this would probably help.
CLINICAL MASSAGE TREATMENT
After receiving consent for treatment from the client’s MD, a physical assessment was carried
out. Most of the muscles in the upper and lower back, shoulders, and neck appeared affected. All
were tight and knotted. In addition, the left leg and Gluteal muscles were generally tight. The
client reported she now had to lean quite heavily on her stick, as the speed of deterioration in the
hip had increased over previous six months (surgery was scheduled at the end of the next six
months). It was noted that the stick appeared to be too long, which could have been a contributing
factor to the shoulder and neck problem. The client was advised to check the stick with the issuing
hospital.
The massage treatment provided incorporated general maintenance massage and trigger point
therapy with some soft tissue release to the leg, Gluteal, back, and shoulder muscles. Deep tissue
techniques were applied in the Lumbar region, concentrating on Perispinalis and Quadratus
Lumborum, and also to the Rhomboids, Upper Trapezius, and Levator Scapulae. Depth was
monitored to take into account the age and condition of the client. After each treatment the client
experienced giddiness and required a 10-15 sec recovery period.
Treatments continued for six weeks, by which time the client’s pain had been greatly reduced,
although she still experienced pain in the affected hip. The client continued to attend for
maintenance treatment until the hip replacement operation. The walking stick had been made
shorter by two inches; the client consequently found it much easier to use.
CONTINUING TREATMENT
Post-operative massage treatment recommenced eight weeks after the operation following a post-
operative check and consent from the client’s surgeon. Treatment techniques were as previously
stated, generally maintenance massage, but incorporating treatment to the site of the operation to
limit scar tissue build up and help disperse bruising. Advice and assistance with post-operative
exercises was also provided. The client quickly returned to an active and pain free life and
continues with occasional massage treatments.
efficacy and benefits of the treatments they provide and practice. Yet many in mainstream
western medical practice, due to a lack of “empirical scientific evidence”, dismiss or even rubbish
these treatments as merely psychological or the result of a placebo effect. The following case
study is presented as an addition to growing base of anecdotal evidence.
PATIENT
Female Age 73; Occupation - Retired; Previous medical history - degeneration of right hip joint,
had been awaiting surgery for two years.
PRESENTING CONDITION
Pain in the leg, back and shoulder regions.
ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS
High blood pressure and circulatory problems.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
The client had been suffering from a degenerative hip and had to use a walking stick to get
around. As a consequence she was experiencing acute back and shoulder pain together with pain
in the leg of the unaffected hip. She received physiotherapy treatment, but was advised that the
problem was predominantly muscular, due to the hip condition. The physiotherapist referred the
client for massage, advising that this would probably help.
CLINICAL MASSAGE TREATMENT
After receiving consent for treatment from the client’s MD, a physical assessment was carried
out. Most of the muscles in the upper and lower back, shoulders, and neck appeared affected. All
were tight and knotted. In addition, the left leg and Gluteal muscles were generally tight. The
client reported she now had to lean quite heavily on her stick, as the speed of deterioration in the
hip had increased over previous six months (surgery was scheduled at the end of the next six
months). It was noted that the stick appeared to be too long, which could have been a contributing
factor to the shoulder and neck problem. The client was advised to check the stick with the issuing
hospital.
The massage treatment provided incorporated general maintenance massage and trigger point
therapy with some soft tissue release to the leg, Gluteal, back, and shoulder muscles. Deep tissue
techniques were applied in the Lumbar region, concentrating on Perispinalis and Quadratus
Lumborum, and also to the Rhomboids, Upper Trapezius, and Levator Scapulae. Depth was
monitored to take into account the age and condition of the client. After each treatment the client
experienced giddiness and required a 10-15 sec recovery period.
Treatments continued for six weeks, by which time the client’s pain had been greatly reduced,
although she still experienced pain in the affected hip. The client continued to attend for
maintenance treatment until the hip replacement operation. The walking stick had been made
shorter by two inches; the client consequently found it much easier to use.
CONTINUING TREATMENT
Post-operative massage treatment recommenced eight weeks after the operation following a post-
operative check and consent from the client’s surgeon. Treatment techniques were as previously
stated, generally maintenance massage, but incorporating treatment to the site of the operation to
limit scar tissue build up and help disperse bruising. Advice and assistance with post-operative
exercises was also provided. The client quickly returned to an active and pain free life and
continues with occasional massage treatments.
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