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Using Massage Therapy to Treat Swelling & Scar Tissue in Burn Patients
Case Study Demographics
• Two male subjects
• Between 48-60 y.o.a
• Right hand dominant burns
• partial thickness
• 2nd degree burn
• Electrical flash flame burns
• Referred to massage for swelling and scar tissue treatment
September 25, 2009 By Kimberly Boersen-Gladman BRLS MT
Eastern Great Lakes Burn Study Group
Case Study Demographics
• Two male subjects
• Between 48-60 y.o.a
• Right hand dominant burns
• partial thickness
• 2nd degree burn
• Electrical flash flame burns
• Referred to massage for swelling and scar tissue treatment
Objective
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of Massage Therapy intervention via validated outcome measures in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program
Outcome Measures
• Goniometric measure
• Volumetric and girth measures
• Vancouver Scar Scale
Study Design
• Duration: 6 weeks (freeze frame in treatment timeline)
• Frequency: twice weekly /30-45minutes
• Timing:
– One client treated prior to stretching
– One client treated post stretching
Treatment Protocol
• Swedish Massage Therapy Application:
– manual drainage techniques, superficial application (30mmHg) not to collapse lymph nodes and vessels (no lotion)
– scar tissue treatment, moderate pressure surpassing the dermis and entering into the muscular level (water-based lotion)
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