Which modification is recommended for neuropathy during massage?

Which modification is recommended for neuropathy during massage?

• A. Inspect skin, use lighter pressure, and avoid hot therapy on numb areas.
• B. Apply aggressive friction on numb areas.
• C. Ignore numb areas and proceed as normal.
• D. Increase heat therapy on numb areas.

Answer: (B)

Neuropathy alters protective sensation, so the guiding idea is to modify massage technique to protect the skin and avoid burns. Because numb areas may not feel heat or pressure, you should inspect the skin for any damage, use lighter pressure to prevent tissue trauma, and avoid applying hot therapy there. Aggressive friction on numb tissue can cause microtrauma or burns without the client noticing, ignoring numb areas can miss early signs of damage, and increasing heat in numb areas raises the risk of burns since sensation is diminished. Together, inspecting the skin, using gentler pressure, and avoiding heat on numb areas provides the safest and most appropriate modification.

Neuropathy alters protective sensation, so the guiding idea is to modify massage technique to protect the skin and avoid burns. Because numb areas may not feel heat or pressure, you should inspect the skin for any damage, use lighter pressure to prevent tissue trauma, and avoid applying hot therapy there. Aggressive friction on numb tissue can cause microtrauma or burns without the client noticing, ignoring numb areas can miss early signs of damage, and increasing heat in numb areas raises the risk of burns since sensation is diminished. Together, inspecting the skin, using gentler pressure, and avoiding heat on numb areas provides the safest and most appropriate modification.