Contraception Poses Blood Clot Risk


by Nicole Cutler - Date: 2007-03-22 - Word Count: 297 Share This!

Enhancing circulation is the main purpose of therapeutic massage, however it can pose a serious risk to your clients if you're unaware of the medications they may be taking. Blood clots can be extremely dangerous during a massage, as they can be released into the bloodstream, blocking blood vessels and having potentially fatal consequences. Certain health conditions can make you prone to blood clots, but they can also be caused by other factors.

Research has shown that women taking the birth control pill are at a higher risk of developing blood clots than those not taking it. Because of this risk, pharmaceutical companies have developed lower-dose methods that contain a smaller amount of the active ingredient, but are still as effective. However, even though they may contain less of the ingredient mainly responsible for causing the blood clots, these alternative methods can still be quite hazardous. Both the patch and the vaginal ring have an increased risk for this condition, and since they're so new to the market, there isn't much research demonstrating the severity of the risk.

As a massage therapist, it's important to be aware of all the medications your clients are taking so that you can take into account any possible massage contraindications. This makes the intake interview process, as well as your knowledge of pharmacology, incredibly vital to the health of your clients. You must be specific in asking questions of your clients to determine if they're at this risk. Your clients may not understand the reasons for certain types of questions to be asked, but it's for their own good. In some cases, their lives depend on it.

To learn more about the threat that oral contraceptives can pose to your female clients during a relaxing, therapeutic massage, click here to read this entire article.


Related Tags: risk, massage therapy, contraception, bodyworkers, blood clot, the pill, pharmacology, the patch

This article was prepared for HomeStudyCredits.org. Learn more about massage therapy and massage therapy continuing education programs.

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