The conference this year was held in Ashford
kent, last year I was invited as a guest speaker about the benefits of massage. This year I was kindly invited to run a clinic for the weekend for those who wished to experience a treatment.Brittle bone is a genetic condition which varries in severity but some the main symptoms are frequent fractures joint hypermobility (lax ligaments) bone and postural irregularity.
The main aim of being a guest speaker in 2008 was mainly about the 'benefits of massage' and that it it can be delivered safely without fear of the therapist causing a fracture! I was shocked to find in my early years of training that both brittle bone and osteoporosis were considered to be a 'contra indication to massage' - meaning don't treat this type of client! This still seems to be the current thinking, my aim is to change this out dated perception.
What is certainly clear is that therapists can proceed with caution, read current literature and conduct a full postural assessment however most importantly listen to your client and keep asking for feed back during a treatment. As a father of a child with OI (brittle bones) I would be happy to assist and guide any therapist wishing more information: paul@paulskidmore-therapies.co.uk
The benefits of massage for an OI client
When I trained as a sports and remedial massage practitioner muscle balancing and postural assessment was key to injury prevention - basiscally the more times a footballer falls over due to a muscle weakness or inbalance the more likely an injury. ! Light bulb moment ! If I apply this to an OI client: greater stability equals less falls and fractures. With a possible lifetime average of 40 plus fractures even 10% less will make a huge difference.
People with OI also can suffer over tight muscle groups which if left unchecked can lead to postural deviation - muscle pain and often stiff joints. With careful soft tissue release techniques these over tonic muscles can be relaxed and joint mobilised leading to better range of movement and improved muscle strength and greater postural stability.
The constant use of the upper body to power a wheelchair is a classic example of where the neck / arms / back muscles can become tight ( over use syndrome ) thefore soft tissue release techniques of hypertonic muscles will deliver great results interms of joint mobilisation and long term benefit for the client.
Facilitated stretching may seem cavalier given the possible fragility of the bones, with careful soft tissue relase and gentle stretching I found I was able to achive a good spinal stretch and so improve the clients respiration - better breathing, more oxygen in take and removal of carbon dioxide, less lactic acid build up in the muscles and so less muscle aches & pains.
Improved circulation is a huge benefit of massage - more oxygen / nutrients to feed the tissues with improved lymphatic drainage the immune system is able to function efficiently to deal with any attack like chest infections swine flu etc etc.
Scar tissue, may OI clients have been through surgery and the build up of tight scar tissue can lead to some loss in the range of movement. My daugher had bi -femoral rodding a year ago, within the gluteal muscles & IT band there was scar tissue which lead a turning out of the foot ( tight lower limb external rotators) With careful soft tissue release, I was able to work the scar tissue and release the adhesions within two treatments. Her posture was greatly improved and avoided the development of any compensatory muscle patterns.
