Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

Chapter 10 / Massage Therapy and CVD 163
Table 1 (Continued)
Raynaud’s syndrome As long as any dangerous underlying causes for
the vasoconstriction have been ruled out,
patients with Raynaud’s syndrome are
candidates for massage. Massage may work
with the parasympathetic nervous system to
stimulate reflexive vasodilatation and help
to restore normal circulation.
Renal failure Massage is systemically contraindicated for
both acute and chronic failure.
Skin conditions Avoid areas that are contagious.
Transient ischemic (TIA) Massage is contraindicated during acute attack
episode but beneficial to patients after the
early recovery phase.
Varicosities Local massage is contraindicated in the areas
where the veins are elevated from the skin
and are visibly distorted. If the vein is not
elevated, local massage may be appropriate;
however, the pressure applied should be
light. For spider veins, local massage is
usually safe.
Vascular disorders Any condition involving damaged blood
vessels requires extreme caution for
massage. Massage changes the internal
environment d diles some blood vessels and
constricts others.
Viruses Massage should be given with caution for
patients with active viral infections. For
example, formononucleosis, the area at or
near liver or spleen avoided.
by touch, nutritional advice, exercise, and counseling. Energy blocks can,
in this theoretical framework, be released by body work, diet, exercise,
and self awareness. The aim is to “balance the energy in the body.”
Reflexology: Based on the theory that the body has “reflex areas” on the
hands and feet that correspond to glands, organs, and different parts of
the body. Manipulating those certain areas has a direct effect on corresponding
organs and body parts.
Reiki: This is a form of nonmovement Japanese spiritual healing and a
gentle hands-on technique to reduce stress, relieve pain, and facilitate
healing. This does not involve manipulation of the muscles or other soft
tissue. A practitioner holds his hands on or over the body in 12 basic