[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

16.06.2020 Views

ReferralsFor MTs, knowing when to refer to another MT, physiotherapist or mental healthprofessional is an important part of client-centered care.Join professional business organizations in your community to get to knowothers in your area. Gather information from your clients about their healthcareteam and, with the clients consent, make contact through letters, emails or phonecalls.Open dialogue with your traumatic scar tissue client about the reason for thereferral is very important. Explain in detail why you feel they should see aparticular professional and how it will help them achieve their goals.Referring a client to a mental health professional can take some navigation andfinesse. If a client expresses symptoms of depression, a simple question of ‘Doyou feel you would benefit in speaking with a professional counselor or clergy?’may be appropriate. If you feel posing this type of question is inappropriate,leave cards of professionals you have a relationship with in your clinic room.Display them conspicuously before clients’ appointments. If they are inclined toseek help, this gesture will be appreciated (see Box 8.5).Box 8.5

Referral exampleTonya, a 21-year-old healthy woman, receives twice-monthly relaxationsessions with a focus on her shoulders.Tonya always feels great after the sessions, but each session I observeextreme rounded shoulders and palpate adhesions in her platysma,subclavius, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and anterior scalenes. For severalvisits inquiry is made as to her activities to try and pinpoint contributingfactors. Tonya’s response is always ‘too much computer work.’Then, during one session, without questioning or remarking on theadhesions, Tonya began to weep. I asked if she wanted me to stop. Shesaid, ‘No, but I have to tell you something – I think the reason for theadhesions is because I purge after every meal. I spend 20 minutessometimes over the toilet. I can’t seem to straighten up after that.’She continued to cry as I held her head and again asked if she wanted tocontinue. She responds ‘yes.’ After the session, after making sure Tonyafelt calm, I asked if she wanted to seek help from a professional. She saidshe would think about it. At our next session, I did not mention it nor didshe. But she did take one of the psychotherapy business cards I left on theintake table.Networking with massage therapists in your area and discovering their area ofexpertise or particular practice focus will enhance and assist your clients’ care(see Box 8.6).Box 8.6

Referrals

For MTs, knowing when to refer to another MT, physiotherapist or mental health

professional is an important part of client-centered care.

Join professional business organizations in your community to get to know

others in your area. Gather information from your clients about their healthcare

team and, with the clients consent, make contact through letters, emails or phone

calls.

Open dialogue with your traumatic scar tissue client about the reason for the

referral is very important. Explain in detail why you feel they should see a

particular professional and how it will help them achieve their goals.

Referring a client to a mental health professional can take some navigation and

finesse. If a client expresses symptoms of depression, a simple question of ‘Do

you feel you would benefit in speaking with a professional counselor or clergy?’

may be appropriate. If you feel posing this type of question is inappropriate,

leave cards of professionals you have a relationship with in your clinic room.

Display them conspicuously before clients’ appointments. If they are inclined to

seek help, this gesture will be appreciated (see Box 8.5).

Box 8.5

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