Even Epileptic clients need to take breaks
I have been recently researching EPILEPSY and the benefits of massage therapy or other modalities. There is so much information out there. Here is something that I found quite interesting from a recent website...
(source:http://en.allexperts.com/q/Massage-1818/epilepsy-disfunction-nervous-system.htm)
For someone who has it controlled with medication, they can recieve massage just like anyone else (as long as there are no considerations with the meds). Someone with severe, uncontrolled seizures should not receive massage, as they might injure themselves or you during one in a massage, and probably need to be under medical supervision. They could fall off of the table, or accidentally hit the therapist. For those that are in between, it gets more difficult. Specifically, a lot of this depends on the type of seizures they have.
*so essentially as a massage therapist we would need to determine the severity of the disease and make a decision whether to give massage to this particular client or not. Otherwise, I wonder if it is appropiate and professional to bring the table into a Shiatsu position on the floor and do massage that way. Then the client would not have to risk falling from so high... something to ponder. Obviously the given is to not give acupuncture to someone who has the potential of moving. but massage therapy is known to relax the mind and body. Emphasis on the mind. Epilepsy is a random firing off of neurons, they go hay wire really. Making the entire body go nuts because the neurons are firing at random all over the place. Instead of the steady stream like a river of one neuron to another to another and so on, to make a head move or arm move in a consistant manner. Some epileptic seizures people just stare into space for a few minutes whereas grand mal seizures patients fall to floor and thier entire body goes into a shaking dancing flare. Bystanders should be aware to protect the persons head from walls, hard floors by putting a pillow or mat underneath, etc.
Ok, so here the scientific reasoning of why epilepsy occurs -
"Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is a disorder with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity - from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development - can lead to seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. EEGs and brain scans are common diagnostic test for epilepsy" ( source:http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/epilepsy.htm)
Here are some other famous persons who have been diagnosed with Epilepsy- In fact, Julius Caesar actually had a daily massage to ward away his epileptic episodes.
Vincent van GoghDutch painter, G. Julius CaesarRoman Statesman, Gustave FlaubertFrench Writer, F.M. DostoyevskyRussian Writer, Saint PaulApostle, HeraclesGreek Hero, Napoleon BonaparteFrench Emperor, Arch Duke CharlesAustrian Warlord, Pius IX.Pope, Ludwig II.Duke of Württemberg; Alfred NobelSwedish Chemist, Lord ByronEnglish Poet, Alexander the GreatMacedonian King, Hermann von HelmholtzGerman Physicist, Joan of Arc French Saint, Molière French Playwright, Karl V. Austrian Emperor, Rudi DutschkeGerman Student Leader, Vladimir Ilyich LeninRussian Revolutionist, SocratesGreek Philosopher, Cardinal RichelieuFrench Statesman, Margaux HemingwayAmerican Actress
(http://www.epilepsiemuseum.de/alt/body_prominenteen.html)
(source:http://en.allexperts.com/q/Massage-1818/epilepsy-disfunction-nervous-system.htm)
For someone who has it controlled with medication, they can recieve massage just like anyone else (as long as there are no considerations with the meds). Someone with severe, uncontrolled seizures should not receive massage, as they might injure themselves or you during one in a massage, and probably need to be under medical supervision. They could fall off of the table, or accidentally hit the therapist. For those that are in between, it gets more difficult. Specifically, a lot of this depends on the type of seizures they have.
*so essentially as a massage therapist we would need to determine the severity of the disease and make a decision whether to give massage to this particular client or not. Otherwise, I wonder if it is appropiate and professional to bring the table into a Shiatsu position on the floor and do massage that way. Then the client would not have to risk falling from so high... something to ponder. Obviously the given is to not give acupuncture to someone who has the potential of moving. but massage therapy is known to relax the mind and body. Emphasis on the mind. Epilepsy is a random firing off of neurons, they go hay wire really. Making the entire body go nuts because the neurons are firing at random all over the place. Instead of the steady stream like a river of one neuron to another to another and so on, to make a head move or arm move in a consistant manner. Some epileptic seizures people just stare into space for a few minutes whereas grand mal seizures patients fall to floor and thier entire body goes into a shaking dancing flare. Bystanders should be aware to protect the persons head from walls, hard floors by putting a pillow or mat underneath, etc.
Ok, so here the scientific reasoning of why epilepsy occurs -
"Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. In epilepsy, the normal pattern of neuronal activity becomes disturbed, causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior or sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is a disorder with many possible causes. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity - from illness to brain damage to abnormal brain development - can lead to seizures. Epilepsy may develop because of an abnormality in brain wiring, an imbalance of nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors. Having a seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Only when a person has had two or more seizures is he or she considered to have epilepsy. EEGs and brain scans are common diagnostic test for epilepsy" ( source:http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/epilepsy.htm)
Here are some other famous persons who have been diagnosed with Epilepsy- In fact, Julius Caesar actually had a daily massage to ward away his epileptic episodes.
Vincent van GoghDutch painter, G. Julius CaesarRoman Statesman, Gustave FlaubertFrench Writer, F.M. DostoyevskyRussian Writer, Saint PaulApostle, HeraclesGreek Hero, Napoleon BonaparteFrench Emperor, Arch Duke CharlesAustrian Warlord, Pius IX.Pope, Ludwig II.Duke of Württemberg; Alfred NobelSwedish Chemist, Lord ByronEnglish Poet, Alexander the GreatMacedonian King, Hermann von HelmholtzGerman Physicist, Joan of Arc French Saint, Molière French Playwright, Karl V. Austrian Emperor, Rudi DutschkeGerman Student Leader, Vladimir Ilyich LeninRussian Revolutionist, SocratesGreek Philosopher, Cardinal RichelieuFrench Statesman, Margaux HemingwayAmerican Actress
(http://www.epilepsiemuseum.de/alt/body_prominenteen.html)
I dont want to leave anyone out when it comes to massage therapy and relaxation. Every one needs to take a " time out" from life every now and then.
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