Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a Bodywork and Massage Therapy Contraindication

A pulmonary embolism (aka PE) is when a clump of material, usually a blood clot, obstructs an artery in the lungs.  

DVT & PE conditions are often underdiagnosed and serious, but preventable medical conditions.

It is important to know about DVT & PE because it can happen to anybody and can cause serious illness, disability, and in some cases, death. ^xiii

Deep Vein Thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism Complications

The most serious complication of DVT happens when a part of the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a blockage called pulmonary embolism (PE). If the clot is small, and with appropriate treatment, people can recover from PE. However, there could be some damage to the lungs. If the clot is large, it can stop blood from reaching the lungs - a fatal condition.

In addition, nearly one-third of people who have a DVT will have long-term complications caused by the damage the clot does to the valves in the vein called post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). People with PTS have symptoms such as swelling, pain, discoloration, and in severe cases, scaling or ulcers in the affected part of the body. In some cases, the symptoms can be so severe that a person becomes disabled.

For some people, DVT and PE can become a chronic illness; about 30% of people who have had a DVT or PE are at risk for another episode.[i]

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

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[i] Division of Blood Disorders National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. “Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Apr. 2018, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/facts.html.