For his 40th birthday, a man is treating himself to his very first massage. His health history includes a few noteworthy details, one of which is a condition neither his massage therapist nor I had ever encountered before: hereditary spherocytosis. Are there any potential concerns? Possibly.

Resources:

Hereditary Spherocytosis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD (no date). Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/anemia-hereditary-spherocytic-hemolytic/ (Accessed: 19 February 2025).

Hereditary spherocytosis: MedlinePlus Genetics (no date). Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/hereditary-spherocytosis/ (Accessed: 19 February 2025).

'Hereditary Spherocytosis: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology' (2023). Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/206107-overview?_gl=1*1ulm2jw*_gcl_au*NDQwNzg1MDc3LjE3MzkzMDYxNDM. (Accessed: 19 February 2025).

Hereditary Spherocytosis: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment (no date) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23058-hereditary-spherocytosis (Accessed: 19 February 2025).

Mehta, P. (no date) What Is Hereditary Spherocytosis?, WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/children/what-is-hereditary-spherocytosis (Accessed: 19 February 2025).

Host Bio:

Ruth Werner is a former massage therapist, a writer, and an NCBTMB-approved continuing education provider. She wrote A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, now in its seventh edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is also a long-time Massage & Bodywork columnist, most notably of the Pathology Perspectives column. Werner is also ABMP's partner on Pocket Pathology, a web-based app and quick reference program that puts key information for nearly 200 common pathologies at your fingertips. Werner's books are available at www.booksofdiscovery.com. And more information about her is available at www.ruthwerner.com.

About our Sponsors:

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com

American Massage Conference: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences

Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.

Website: anatomytrains.com

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American Massage Conference

Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement as the American Massage Conference (AMC) arrives to Disney Springs near Orlando, Florida (May 16th-18th, 2025)! With a legacy of 17 successful years in Ontario, Canada, this premier event, proudly hosted by ONE Concept Conferences and expertly produced by Massage Therapy Media (MTM), boasts a lineup of presenters from across the nation and around the globe.

The American Massage Conference began in Atlanta in 2011 and has been hosted through the years in San Diego, Chicago, and Virginia Beach.

The conference provides educational opportunities with engaging one-, two-, three- and four-hour class formats, networking opportunities, masterminds, MTM Talks, demonstrations, and an extensive exhibitor tradeshow.

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience filled with education, networking, and the celebration of massage therapy excellence! ABMP members receive a special discount to attend this in-person conference—log in to your ABMP account to access the discount code and register today.

Website: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences

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