DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

General Terminology

Neurakgia-nerve pain

Neuritis-inflammation of a nerve

Neuropathy-weakness in a distal area of a peripheral nerve as a result of trauma or degeneration.

Dementia-overall deficiency in memory storage, time and space orientation, language processing, problem solving and planning, and execution of voluntary movements.

Referred pain-pain felt in a region of the body distant from the site of tissue damage or injury (e.g., angina pectoris).

 Disorders

Hydrocephalus-increase cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain; can accompany many other disorders.

            Cause: over secretion or impaired absorption of CSF; obstruction of CSF drainage pathways.

            Contraindications/indications: typically not a contraindication; may be prudent to obtain approval of client's doctor before performing bodywork if in doubt.

Meningitis-inflammation of the meninges (coverings of the brain and spinal cord); 50 to 60% of cases are fatal if untreated, and 5 to 6% are fatal with treatment; infecting microorganisms invade the subarachnoid space and, together cellular debris and fibrin, can block cerebrospinal fluid drainage, causing a rapid increase in intracranial pressure; leads to hearing and vision loss and brain damage; symptoms include fever, malaise, headache, lethargy, seizures, delirium, and coma.

            Cause: bacterial or viral infection of the meninges spread from an upper respiratory tract infection, otitis media, or pneumonia.

            Contraindications/indications: do not touch client because he or she is contagious; massage would be beneficial after medical treatment to promote general relaxation.

Encephalitis-inflammation of the brain; leads to nerve cell degeneration and ultimately brain damage; symptoms include fever, malaise, , lethargy, seizures, delirium, and coma.

            Cause: almost always a viral infection transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, tick, or rabid animal or through respiratory channels.

            Contraindications/indications: massage is not indicated.

Seizures-sudden, involuntary, and sometimes violent contractions of a group of skeletal muscles accompanied by loss of consciousness.

             Cause: increased electrical activity of the brain from injury, fever, or tumor.

            Contraindications/indications: massage is contraindicated during a seizure; deep tissue or painful massage is contraindicated for those who are prone to seizures; avoid perfumes or colognes (may trigger an episode); obtain approval from client's doctor before performing bodywork if in doubt.

Stroke: (cardiovascular accident [CVA])-brain damage resulting from ischemia to an area of the brain; the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.

            Cause: blood vessel rupture or occlusion.

            Contraindications/indications: obtain advice and approval of client's doctor before performing bodywork; generally, massage should be gentle and rhythmic; avoid pressure on any artery.

Poliomyelitis-inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord; sometimes results in partial paralysis (1% of cases); can be fatal if respiratory muscles are involved; other symptoms include respiratory and intestinal tract infections; antibodies are very effective in fighting poliovirus, and the available oral vaccination should provide long-lasting immunity after one administration.

            Cause: viral infection that destroys only certain motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

            Contraindications/indications: in postacute phas, massage can increase circulation to affected areas, reduced associated anxiety, and promote muscle tonus.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig disease)-a disease characterized by loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower cranial nerves; results in skeletal muscle weakness and eventual death; signs and symptoms include progressive muscle weakness usually beginning with the muscles of the mouth, throat, and extremities and ending with impairment of respiratory muscles; often affects those from 50 to 75 years of age; leads to death after 2 to 6 years after diagnoses; no treatment currently available; incidence is about 2 per 100,000.

            Cause: unknown.

            Contraindications/indications: massage may soothe muscle spasm and improve motor function and psychological well-being; consult with client's doctor; involve a family member or friend in treatment.

Multiple sclerosis-a progressive disease involving demyelination of the neurons in the central nervous system (areas of demyelination are called plaques); faulty nerve conduction causes muscle weakness and uncoordinated muscle activity; affects people between 20 and 40 years of age; symptoms become worse and then resolve for some time, only to become worse again.

            Cause: unknown.

            Contraindications/indications: use caution because of impaired neurologic sensitivity; massage can reduce muscle spasm and related anxiety.

Huntington disease-a progressive disease of the nervous system characterized by rapid, writhing contortions or rigidity of the muscles in the hands, arms, trunk, and face; leads to total incapacitation and death after about 15 years.

            Cause: genetic defect affecting the frontal cortex of the brain.

            Contraindications/indications: massage may soothe muscular spasm, improve motor function, and psychological well-being; consult with client's doctor; involve a family member or friend in treatment.

Spina bifida-failure of the vertebral arch (laminae and spinous processes) to close early fetal development; condition remains asymptomatic unless the meninges or spinal cord protrudes.

            Cause: genetic defect.

            Contraindications/indications: avoid the immediate area; general massage would be beneficial to reduce stress, muscle contractions, and muscle spasms; energy work would also be appropriate.