Massage therapy

You may want to move this to the nurse massage therapist area, which is under nursing specialty forums.

As a former massage instructor, I too would have to hold to strict protocals when teaching students who had no medical background. It can be dangerous for the client if a therapist uses too much pressure on areas with little or no sensation. Breakdown in skin can lead to ulcers and infection. I would teach to advanced students how to assess the clients condition and use the proper massage techniques unique to that person. This is one reason I feel strongly that nurses are the safest massage therapists when working with clients who have moderate to severe medical conditions.