Page 6 - Massage Therapy School Program

Presentation Outline: Topical Analgesics 101
Introduction: The purpose of Topical Analgesics 101 is to introduce students to the what, why and how of using topical analgesics. Students need to know what is a topical analgesic is, why and when they use one, what ingredients are in topical analgesics, how topical analgesics work, why there are different formats, and what are the contraindications to application.
Learning about the application of topical analgesics gives the student another tool for helping their clients with residual pain after completing their massage. Topical analgesics are easy to apply and add another dimension of effective pain relief in a massage therapy session.
Slide Notes and discussion questions
Topical Analgesics 101 – Presentation Outline
1.
Topical Analgesics 101 is sponsored by Performance Health. Developed for Performance Health by Michael McGillicuddy and Lynda Solien-Wolfe
2.
Welcome to “Topical Analgesics 101”. The goal of this presentation is to answer the following questions.
What is a topical analgesic?
Why use a topical analgesic?
What are the typical ingredients in topical analgesics? How do topical analgesics work?
How do you apply topical analgesics?
What are the contraindications to application?
3.
The definition of a topical analgesic is a product that is applied to the skin surface for the purpose of relieving soreness and pain in soft tissue and joints.
4.
Today, throughout the pain management community, the shift is toward the use of topical analgesics and away from systemic pain relievers. Fueling this trend is evidence-based research linking currently available systemic pain relievers to adverse events1. NSAIDs, COX- 2 inhibitors, and opioids can affect the gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidneys, and other organs, as well as cognition. Conversely, topical analgesics deliver targeted pain relief with low levels of systemic absorption and therefore less risk for systemic toxicity and/or drug interaction1.
Pain-management clinicians are encouraged to consider and recommend topical analgesics as effective alternatives to other systemic medications.
5.
Exercise or activity can lead to injury. Injury causes soreness, discomfort or pain which limits exercise.
6.
Topical analgesics help manage the pain cycle by temporarily relieving soreness, minor discomfort or minor pain to facilitate exercise.
January 2013, PO5507, Rev. 1