Question

A massage therapist is interviewing a new client who has an acute whiplash injury. The client was assessed and x-rayed at the hospital emergency department, and there are no contraindications to treatment. In the Informed Consent, the therapist states that she will apply ice to the injured area. The client stated that the doctor advised her to apply heat. The therapist's best response would be to:

A. Follow the client's preference and apply heat
B. Insist on applying ice as per the therapist's recommendation
C. Consult with the client's physician before proceeding
D. Use a combination of heat and ice to address both preferences

Answer 1

The massage therapist should consult with the client's physician before proceeding to ensure the treatment aligns with the medical advice given for an acute whiplash injury, considering that heat enhances healing and ice reduces inflammation and swelling.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response for the massage therapist would be to consult with the client's physician before proceeding with treatment. Though the application of heat can enhance healing by drawing blood to the injured area, icing is important for decreasing inflammation and swelling, particularly in the acute phase of an injury. Therefore, reconciling the advice from the client's doctor with the therapist's professional knowledge is critical to ensure a safe and appropriate physical therapy plan.

Physical therapy often involves a combination of heat and cold treatments, where heat is used as a warm-up to promote healing, and ice is used afterward to reduce inflammation and swelling. The exact approach, however, should be tailored to the individual's specific condition and medical advice. Since there might be specific reasons for the doctor's recommendation that are not known to the therapist, it is prudent to first clarify any potentially conflicting advice and create a treatment plan that respects the doctor's guidance and the therapist's expertise.