Disorder | Definition | Cause | Contraindications/Indications |
Kyphosis | Exaggerated kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine | Spinal disorders due to trauma | Do not massage in severe cases, consult client's dr. |
Lordosis | Exagerated lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine | Spinal disorders due to trauma | Do not massage is severe cases, consult client's dr. |
Scoliosis | Lateral curvature of the spine, often creates a hanging arm length discrepancy and a "full chest" on the contralateral side, bracing is a common treatment, surgery is rare | Leg length discrepancy, spina bifida, spinal nerve root damage | Do not massage in severe cases, consult client's dr. |
Cleft palate | Failure of the palatine processes of the maxillae bones in the face to fuse together during fetal development | Nutritional deficiencies | Check with client's dr., avoid the area if painful |
Osteoporosis | Loss of bone tissue leading to weak, fragile bones, commonly leads to postural changes of the spine and bone fractures in the pelvis, hips, wrists, and vertebrae | Unknown, influenced by hormonal imbalances and insufficient levels of vitamin D or calcium | All bodywork should be light because although bones of the pelvis, lumbar, and cervical spine are most affected, all bones may be brittle, check with client's dr. |
Osteogenesis imperfecta | Defective development of connective tissue, particularly bone tissue, bone tissue becomes thin and fragile and often bows under weightbearing forces, often accompanied by multiple bone fractures | Genetic trait causing abnormal synthesis of collagen, an elastic protein that makes up about 90% of bone tissue | Massage is most often contraindicated, check with client's dr. |
Osteitis deformans | Common condition characterized by disorganized bone tissue reabsorption and reformation causing thinning and thickening of bone and overall brittle bones, microfractures common, may be accompanied by deformed teeth, skull enlargement, osteoarthritis | Slow viral infection affection osteoblasts and osteoclasts | massage is contraindicated, check with client's dr. |
Osteomalacia | Softening of bone and loss of bone mass, common in underdeveloped countries | Vitamin D deficiency | Massage is contraindicated due to the fragile condition of the bones |
Osteomyelitis | Painful infection of bone tissue and bone marrow, sometimes pus-filled abscesses form, leads to necrosis and destruction of bone tissue | Staphylococcal or streptococcal infection resulting from bone fracture, surgery, or a penetrating wound | Massage is contraindicated, check with client's dr. |