My name is Tony Richards and when I turned 40 years old I began having unusual health symptoms including a powerful thirst and numbness in my hands. I went to see my doctor and after running tests he determined that I had diabetes. My doctor prescribed medicine for my condition and he also told me to make some lifestyle changes or the diabetes would get worse. I didn't want that to happen so I began researching ways to control diabetes. After implementing these ideas, my condition actually got better and I was able to reduce the amount of medication I was taking. If your doctor has diagnosed you with diabetes, it's very beneficial for you to read my blog so your condition doesn't worsen. I hope that by following this blog, it will help you to control your diabetes too.
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DVT or deep vein thrombosis is a condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the veins found deep in the body. The Center for Disease Control estimates about 1 to 2 people per 1,000 individuals suffer from this condition and up to 100,000 people die from it. While massage has proven to be very beneficial for a variety of medical conditions, it can actually be harmful for people suffering from DVT. Here's what you need to know about this issue.
Massage's Adverse Affect on DVT
The blood clots associated with deep vein thrombosis either dissolve on their own after a period of time or can be eliminated using medication. However, the danger with this condition is that the clot may cut off the blood supply to the limb by completely filling the vein, leading to the death of the affected body part and amputation. Alternatively, the clot may break off and travel to the brain, heart, or lungs and block the arteries in these critical areas, leading to a fatal stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.
Massage is counter-indicated in this condition because the deep tissue kneading increases the risk of blood clots breaking off and traveling to other parts of the body. The risk is even greater if the person has an underlying medical condition that affects blood pressure such as hypertension or diabetes. Therefore, anyone diagnosed with these conditions or DVT should consult with their doctors before engaging in massage therapy.
Massage Can Help Prevent DVT
Although a person with DVT should avoid getting massages while his or her condition is active, this therapy can actually help prevent DVT from developing. One of the causes of DVT is poor blood circulation. The blood habitually pools in one area, weakening the veins, and increasing the likelihood of cells sticking to the walls (especially if the walls are already lined with cholesterol plaque).
Among other things, massage improves blood circulation by literally pushing the pooled blood out of the congested areas and into the regular flow, allowing new nutrient and oxygen-rich blood into the area to help the tissues heal. The kneading can also improve other bodily functions that may help reduce blood pressure and strengthen muscles.
However, this only works if you begin a regular massage regimen before DVT develops or after the blood clot(s) have dissolved. Additionally, it's important that the massage therapist understands the correct way to massage the limbs (strokes should push towards the heart) to maximize the beneficial nature of the massage.