AboutRachel Beider, LMT Expertise I can answer questions regarding Therapeutic Medical Massage, Prenatal Massage, and Chronic Pain Management.
Experience I am a NY State Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified in Prenatal Massage, and working as a Professional Doula. I have worked with Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, and in a Surgeon's Office, providing Medical Massage Therapy. I have volunteered massage work for the NYC Marathon and massaging patients at Beth Israel in the Jacob Perlowe Hospice Center. I currently own a business, Massage Williamsburg (www.massagewilliamsburg.com), in Brooklyn, NY.
Organizations American Massage Therapy Association
Education/Credentials Swedish Institute of Health and Sciences, WatPo Thai Medical Massage School in Bangkok, Carole Osbourne Sheets Prenatal Massage Certification, Doula Training by Association for Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators
Past/Present Clients My clients include dancers, athletes, a neurosurgeon, a chiropractor, yoga instructors, and moms-to-be
I am a sports massage therapist working with a rugby team, a physiotherapist and I also have my own treatment room.
My question is this - for the past 18 months I have been using an Arnica massage oil and have never experienced any problems or allergies when using it on various sports people. However a week ago a treated someone and during a follow up call 4 days later the person told me that on the medial side of his knee he came out in spots that look like little yellow heads and the area around where I worked also has a rash like apperance. I just wonder if you have any experience or information which could help me. I am due to call him again in two days to see if there has been any improvement. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your question. It is possible that your client may be allergic to Arnica. The American Cancer Society website says: "People who are allergic to arnica may suffer runny nose, itching, hives, shortness of breath, and shock."(1)
I like to keep several types of massage oils around - I have clients with nut allergies, so I choose to use organic grapeseed oil instead of a blend that contains sweet almond, just in case. If it turns out that your client is simply allergic to arnica, choosing a very gentle blend of oil or cream for sensitive skin may be in order.
However, its also possible that your client may have a skin condition, or came in contact with an outside irritant. Anytime a client suffers from urticaria, (rash/hives) or any other skin condition, it's very important to refer them to a Doctor or Dermatologist, especially if the client has other symptoms. They should be seen by a medical professional before you work on them again in that area.
Using preventative measures to protect ourselves and our clients is extremely important, from simple things like hand washing, to changing our linens and cleaning our tables between every client. As always, keep a 6 inch margin around any suspicious area which has been undiagnosed when you are doing massage, especially if there is an open wound, and if needed take precautionary measures such as wearing gloves.
It's Gerlyn here again. I have another question for you if you don't mind. I am currently treating a rugby player who is suffering from a problem on the lateral head of the gastrocnemius. He complains of heat and what he calls a "flicking sensation" on the lateral side when he is playing rugby. When I palpated his calf muscles and followed the gascrocmenius up towards its point of origin on the lateral femoral condoyle, it was as I was going up towards this that the pain became worse. I checked his flexibility on the lower anterior compartment and he has poor plantarflexion at about 30 degrees, this increased after i did some work on his TA along with work on his posterior compartment. I was wondering if there is possibly some fibrosisits present, or if the gascrocnemius is working harder because of tension in the anterior compartment. What do you think the "flicking sensation" could be that he feels on the lateral head of the gastrocnemius. Any advice you can give me will be much appreciated.
Many Thanks
Gerlyn Crowley
ITEC dip. Sports Massage
Answer Hi Gerlyn,
Thank you for your question. Is the pain sharp and shooting? Or more dull and aching? How about your client's strength? Without palpating it myself, I can't really tell what may be going on here. Sharp and shooting pain may indicate a nerve issue, whereas dull and achy is likely of muscular origin.
Is it possible that the flicking sensation is the Iliotibial band as it crosses the knee? Many times trigger points can refer pain into areas distal to the actual band of muscle. If that's the case, your client may suffer from ITBand Friction Syndrome.
I wish I could help you further in this matter, you may find more assistance asking a Doctor who practices sports medicine.
