Pathology – Intro to pathology
Introduction to Pathology
Introduction to the Pathology Lessons
It is important for massage therapists to have a solid understanding of pathology concepts. The pathology lessons in the MBLEx Course cover the main topics in this content area of the MBLEx, including:
- Concise descriptions of common pathologies that massage therapists need to know
- Pathology concepts relevant to massage therapists
- Key terminology to be familiar with for the MBLEx
- Contraindications and precautions for massage, including pathology-related contraindications, special populations, and site specific contraindications
- Areas of caution including which specific structures are vulnerable at these locations
- Special populations, and how massage treatments could be modified
The pathology lessons here are roughly organized by body system, with some overlap since many pathological conditions affect multiple systems of the body. The pathology section also includes lessons about pain, acute and chronic conditions, and pharmacology that is relevant to massage therapy.
Pathology Terminology
Pathology is the scientific study of the causes and effects of disease, illness or injury. A pathology or pathological condition is one that is deviated from a healthy or normal condition. A pathologist is someone who studies disease processes. The Greek root word patho– means disease, suffering, experience or feeling. The suffix -ology means the study of.
Disease: a pathological process that is accompanied by a set of signs and symptoms. A disease may affect the entire organism, or just specific parts such as organ(s), tissue(s) or cells. It may cause structural or functional changes in the body (often both). Disease is also “dis-ease” or “lack of ease”, referring to the disruption in the normal, natural, balanced, healthy condition. Other terms that loosely mean disease, but may have slightly different connotations:
- Condition
- Disorder
- Syndrome
Diagnosis: the identifying and labeling of a disease or condition based on an evaluation of signs, symptoms, patient history, and/or laboratory data.
Differential diagnosis: the process of determining which of several diseases may be producing their current signs or symptoms.
Treatment: the application of any therapeutic remedy in the management and care of a patient.
Cure: a medical treatment used to eliminate and recover from disease, and restore health.
The identifying and labeling of a disease or condition based on an evaluation of signs, symptoms, patient history and/or lab data.
The study of the causes and effects of disease, illness or injury.
A treatment refers to a process or procedure that leads to an improvement in health. This could include a reduction of signs or symptoms, or improved function. A cure typically refers to a complete restoration of health. This goes beyond just treating the symptoms, but effects the source of the problem/disease/condition.
disease