Bone Spurs aka Osteophytes in Massage Therapy Practice

Bone Spurs aka Osteophytes:

• Are Usually Smooth in Texture

• May Not be Painful

• Commonly Caused by Osteoarthritis

• Ligaments in an aging spine can thicken and calcify, resulting in bone “spur” formation

Arthritis or Any Swelling is Usually Considered a Massage Therapy Contraindication

- HOWEVER-

WebMD Lists “Massage Therapy” as the #1 Alternative Therapy to Treat Spinal Osteoarthritis in 2017

Spinal Osteoarthritis

• Regularly occurs in spinal facet joints.
• A degenerative joint disease.
• Protective cartilage surrounding bones (providing cushioning) degenerates.
• Can cause swelling and/or pain.
• Treatment is geared toward relieving the symptoms of pain and increasing a person's ability to function.

There are several “non-pharmacological” treatments available for osteoarthritis:

• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Heat or cold compresses, which refers to placing ice or heated compresses onto the affected joint (check with a physician about which option, or which combination of heat and cold options, is best for you.)
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) onto the affected area
• Nutritional supplements

Always consult with client’s treating physician for significant medical conditions.

To learn more, please register for training at https://ceinstitute.com/

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