Ep 531 - DVT + PE = VTE: "I Have a Client Who . . ." Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner

A client was prescribed oral birth control to help manage symptoms of perimenopause. The medication caused a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which then caused a pulmonary embolism (PE). Altogether this forms a potentially deadly phenomenon called venous thromboembolism (VTE).

She survived, and she's fine. But here's the thing: her PE was just two weeks ago, and she wants to receive deep massage to her neck, back, and shoulders. Yikes, right? Or maybe not? Listen in for some key decision points about this question.

 

Resources:

 

A Doctor's Note is Not Good Enough... and what is better: online self-paced continuing education course, available here.

 

Massage & Bodywork magazine, "Helping Clients with Complex Conditions", Jan/Feb 2023, available here.

 

thrombosis medical illustration concept symbol as a group of human blood cells.

Episode Hosts

Meet our hosts

  • Ruth Werner Photo

    Ruth Werner

    Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider. She wrote A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology (available at booksofdiscovery.com), now in its seventh edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is available at ruthwerner.com or [email protected].