Question
Hi Jenny,
I don't know if this actually falls into the Orthopedic dept. but since it has to do with arms, hopefully you can help, if not direct me to who might.
As a licensed massage therapist in a spa, I recently had a one-time only client who came for massage with a condition her doctors called, "tangled veins", in one of her arms. The condition extended from her wrist to the middle of her upper arm.  The visual appearance was that you would see in a person's leg who has Varicose veins.  She says she has had it for years as a by-product of her years as Phys-Ed teacher.
I agreed to massage the whole body but declined to work on her arm, as is my approach to Varicose veins, which was ok with her and the session went well.
Can you tell me anything about that condition and/or if massage would be contraindicated?

Thanks


Answer
Hi Michael,

I'm with you on this one...I've never heard of a diagnosis of "tangled veins".  I would definitely agree with not massaging that area, as there is no telling what type of thrombus could be just waiting to be dislodged!  

I'd suggest you ask one of the orthopedic docs here at allexperts (find them under either the orthopedic category or the physical medicine category)...perhaps they know the medical term for what this lady actually had.

Best wishes!
Jenny