Respiratory Conditions
Infectious Respiratory Disorders
Acute Bronchitis (p. 321)
What is it?
a. Inflammation of the bronchial tree anywhere between the trachea and bronchioles
Signs and Symptoms
a. Primary sign is persistent cough
b. Often starts dry but becomes productive within a few days
c. Wheezing, nasal congestions, headache, low fever, muscle aches, chest pain and fatigue may also be present
Massage?
a. Circulatory massage is not appropriate for someone with an infection
Common Cold (p. 324)
What is it?
a. A viral infection from any of about 200 types of viruses
Signs and Symptoms
a. Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, headaches
b. Possibly low fever
Massage?
a. Only appropriate in post-acute stage of infection
b. Consider if the client agrees to massage past the peak of infection, massage may actually lessen recovery
time, however they may feel worse for a day or so
Influenza (p. 325)
What is it?
a. A viral infection of the respiratory tract
Signs and Symptoms
a. High fever, muscle and joint achiness lasting up to a week
b. May also include runny nose, cough, sneezing and general malaise
Massage?
a. Circulatory work in the early stages of infection is not recommended, for it may cause the infection to be
much more serious
b. Massage after the infection has peaked may speed the recovery time
c. Caution – squeezing recovery into 1 or 2 days may make the client feel sick again, and even though recovering,
the client is still shedding the virus and risking the massage therapist’s health
Pneumonia (p. 328)
What is it?
a. Inflammation of the lungs brought about by bacteria, virus or fungi
Signs and Symptoms
a. Coughing, high fever, chills, sweating, delirium, chest pains, cyanosis, thick and colored sputum, shortness of
breath, muscle aches and pleurisy
Massage?
a. Contraindicated during acute state
b. Depending on the cause and general resiliency of the client, pneumonia may be indicated in the subacute
stage
Sinusitis (p. 332)
What is it?
a. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses from allergies, infection or physical obstruction
Signs and Symptoms
a. Headache, tenderness of the affected area, runny or congested nose, facial or tooth pain, fatigue
b. If related to infection, thick, opaque mucous, fever and chills
Massage?
a. Acute infections contraindicate massage
b. Chronic or noninfectious sinusitis can be appropriate if the client is comfortable on the table
Tuberculosis (p. 334)
What is it?
a. Bacterial infection that usually begins in the lungs but may spread to bones, kidneys, lymph nodes, central
nervous system, or elsewhere in the body
Signs and Symptoms
a. No initial symptoms
b. If infection turns into active dz, symptoms can include coughing, bloody sputum, fatigue, wt loss and night
sweats
Massage?
a. Active TB contraindicated massage unless the client has been on consistent meds for at least 2 weeks and has
medical clearance
b. Massage for clients with TB infection but no disease are ok for massage, but should be under medical
supervision
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases
Asthma (p. 343)
What is it?
a. Result of spasmodic constriction of bronchial smooth muscle tubes in combination with chronic local
inflammation and excessive mucous production
Signs and Symptoms
a. Asthma attacks are sporadic episodes involving coughing, wheezing and difficulty with breathing, especially
exhaling
Massage?
a. Indicated as long as the client is not in an attack
b. Between episodes, massage may be useful in reducing stress and deal with some of the muscular problems
that accompany breathing difficulties
Chronic Bronchitis (p. 345 Bronchial Asthma)
What is it?
a. One of the lung disorders classified as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
b. Involves long term inflammation of the bronchi, with or without infection, leading to permanent changes in
the bronchial lining
c. Frequently preludes to or simultaneously with emphysema
Signs and Symptoms
a. Diagnosed when a person has had a productive cough most days that lasts for 3 months or more for at least
2 consecutive years
b. Other signs are respiratory tract infections, cyanosis, edema
Massage?
a. Indicated for chronic bronchitis as long as they are not fighting an infection and heart function is not
compromised
Emphysema (p. 340)
What is it?
a. A condition in which the alveoli of the lungs become stretched and inelastic. They merge with each other ,
decreasing surface area, destroying surrounding capillaries and limiting oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange
Signs and Symptoms
a. Shortness of breath with mild or no exertion, chronic dry cough, rales, cyanosis and susceptibility to
secondary respiratory infections
Massage?
a. Indicated for massage with caution for circulatory complications and secondary infection
Other Respiratory Disorders
Cystic Fibrosis (p. 346)
What is it?
a. A congenital disease of exocrine glands that causes secretions (mainly mucous, digestive enzymes, bile and
sweat) to become abnormally thick and viscous
Signs and Symptoms
a. Multisystem disease, but most commonly effects respiratory system
b. Signs can include chronic lung infections, shortness of breath, productive cough, digestive difficulties and
failure to thrive in young children
Massage?
a. Day to day judgments must be made based on client’s health and the presence of acute or chronic infection
Lung Cancer (p. 351)
What is it?
a. Development of malignant cells in the lungs
b. These cells have easy access to blood and lymph vessels and quickly spread to other organs in the body
Signs and Symptoms
a. Initially signs ar3e virtually indistinguishable from normal irritation from cigarette smoke
b. Chronic cough, bloodstained sputum, shortness of breath, chest pain and recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia
Massage?
a. Massage has a place in cancer recovery care, as well as terminal care, but these situations call for specific
adjustments to achieve maximum benefits with minimal risk