In every issue of our journal, you will find a Case of the Month, which we will select from among the submitted cases. Everyone who is using MEDICAL MASSAGE PROTOCOLS in their practice may submit their cases for review, and we will share with our readers the best one in every new issue.
If you would like to share with our readers your account of professional success and participate in the Case of the Month program, see Case of the Month Program.
Radical mastectomy affects the female body in many ways. Because this surgery greatly impacts the patient physically, emotionally and mentally, a mastectomy may trigger various complications, which sometimes present a disturbing clinical picture.
Ani Papazyan, LMT, who contributed her article to the Case of the Month section of this issue of JMS, experienced exactly this case with one of her patients. We are sure that readers will appreciate her contribution as well as her professional expertise.
MEDICAL MASSAGE vs. POSTURAL IMBALANCE AFTER RADICAL MASTECTOMY
The patient is a sixty-seven-year-old female who presented with gait issues.
Clinical Symptoms
After a Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) on her right side, the client started experiencing difficulty with her balance. She was unable to walk a straight line and did not feel secure enough to drive. She had no symptoms of vertigo. Her doctors suggested she see a physical therapist, but the treatment protocol, which consisted primarily of exercise suggested by the physical therapist, did not help her. She was brought to our office six weeks after her surgery by a family member, since she felt unsafe to drive because of her balance issues.
During the modified radical mastectomy, the entire breast was removed as well as the underarm lymph nodes. The client’s pectoral muscles were left intact. The most common symptoms after the mastectomy are muscle aches, swelling, limited range of motion in the upper extremity and scarring of the soft tissues, which may contribute to the sensation of chest tightness. Additionally, the intercostobrachial nerves are very frequently traumatized during lymph node removal and can trigger burning, tingling and itching in the chest.
Issues with gait are not common side effects of a mastectomy, but there is a possibility of changes in locomotion in the post-surgery period. Considering that sometimes significant amounts of tissue are removed during the surgery, we may easily speculate that the mastectomy has a significant impact on upper body strength, the function of the upper extremities and eventually on the woman feeling unbalanced in her gait. The last outcome can be easily explained by the loss of a large mass of tissue with millions of peripheral receptors and by irritation of the peripheral nerves. In such a case, the central nervous system receives completely different information, and it may confuse the motor cortex, especially if the patient is an older woman.
Client’s Evaluation
I speculated that since the client’s right breast was removed, there would be an imbalance in the function of the right pectoral muscles, and the right-side trapezius, serratus anterior, anterior and posterior cervical muscles (including the rhomboids) would be affected. My palpatory evaluation confirmed the presence of tension and active trigger points in these muscles. They have many things in common: They stabilize the neck and upper shoulder, are innervated by lower motor centers in the neighboring cervical segments of the spinal cord, and the spinal nerves that provide their innervation are affected by the tension developed in the corresponding parts of the Dura Mater.
The Dura Mater is the outermost layer of the three meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord. The spinal nerves, which leave the spinal cord, are in very close contact with the Dura Mater. However, the most important piece of information recently discovered by scientists is the fact that the rectus capitis posterior major and rectus capitis posterior minor muscles have a direct connection to the cervical dura mater and may interfere with the function of the CNS.
Considering that mastectomy is a major trauma to the body, I was certain that her overall protective reflexes were greatly activated. Even when I palpated her right SI joint, she withdrew her body although she didn’t have actual pain there during my palpation. That is when I realized that I needed to release pressure in the entire spine, starting from her coccyx, because of its attachment to the dura, all the way to the atlanto-occipital junction.
Treatment Protocol
The treatment protocol I developed consisted of medical massage techniques that included long massage strokes from the lower back to the neck, connective tissue massage, kneading strokes of the paravertebral muscles, application of friction and manual compression at the base of the skull with the client lying supine until I felt the relaxation of the cervical muscles.
I also used the Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) to affect the withdrawal reflex, which is a spinal cord-mediated reflex. This technique targets parts of the body that are associated with dural attachments, especially in the coccyx area and in the area of the rectus capitis posterior major/minor muscles and ligamentum nuchae.
After the first 45 minutes of the session, the client regained 50% of her balance. She did not return for the follow-up session, since two days after the first session, she had completely regained her balance while walking and driving.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ani Papazyan, LMT
Ani Papazyan is a licensed massage therapist, certified nutritionist, certified lifestyle educator, and certified personal trainer. Ani educates clients regarding nutrition, healthy eating, lifestyle choices, and supplementation. She provides pain relief, stress management, and proper physical movement therapy, enhancing the client’s lifestyle.
Since 1994, Ani has been working in the massage field with chiropractors and other healthcare professionals. Her experience led her to become Janet Jackson’s massage therapist during her “Velvet Rope” World Tour in 1998-1999. Since that time, Ani has been working with professional and amateur athletes and dancers, as well as the general population, helping them recover from injuries, surgeries, ailments, and the stressors of daily life.
Category: Case Studies
Tags: JMS 2012 Issue #4
