w w w . a m t a m a s s a g e . o r g / t j 6 5 What you need to know when working with clients who regularly take medication By Jeannette Vaupel medication massage & COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course offers guide- lines on how to minimize the risk of massage aggravating the side ef- fects from medications. It includes information on those medical side effects that can be mistaken for common ailments result- ing in inappropriate treat- ment plans. It includes information on major drug side effects and groups of medications that require special attention. COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course provides an overview of the modifications required for massage sessions due to physiologic changes from medications taken by clients. When you finish this course you will be able to: • Appreciate the need to watch for medications with side effects that require altera - tions in massage therapy sessions. • Dene ways client assessment helps massage therapists identify side effects and adverse effects of medications. . • Discuss how the reason for taking a medication can guide session planning. • Describe six ways palpating can detect hidden effects of drugs. • Give six ways drugs alter a client’ s response to massage and the responsible way to adjust the therapy session to address those alterations. • List six special considerations required for diabetic clients. • Dene seven classes of medications that warrant proceeding with caution for mas - sage therapists.