Massage Therapy Scholarship
$1,000

Write a Massage Therapy Case Study

The topic of the Fall 2023 MBLExGuide Scholarship is to write a massage therapy case study. This can be a simple and informal case study that involves a single massage therapy session. Or it can be a more detailed case study that ranges over several massage sessions. It should be based on a real massage client’s case (not hypothetical), however, do not disclose any confidential information about the client (e.g., real name, or information that could identify the client).

The primary goals of a case study are to inform, educate, and contribute to the broader knowledge base of the field. Massage therapy students should approach this case study as both a learning experience and a tool for reflection. Creating a case study can strengthen a new practitioner’s critical thinking skills, especially when it comes to making a treatment plan and analyzing outcomes. 

The following is a suggested outline and framework for your massage case study:

Title

• Create a descriptive title that captures the essence of the case study. It should ideally include the condition that is being addressed, the intervention/treatment, and some aspect of the outcome or unique characteristic.

Abstract: 

• Write brief summary of the case study, highlighting the key points, conclusions and what you learned. This section is typically structured in a way that mirrors the larger report.

Introduction

• Background: Briefly introduce the topic of your case study. Provide any necessary background information, and describe the context and any notable or unique aspects of the case.
• Objective: State the purpose of the case study, its relevance to massage therapy, and what you hope to demonstrate or explore through the case. List any questions that this case study seeks to address.

Client Details

• Provide information about the client without revealing their identity. Include demographics (e.g., age, gender, occupation, etc.), and relevant health history (e.g., past illnesses, surgeries, or ongoing medical conditions).
• Presenting Problem: Provide details about the specific issue or main problem that the client presented with (their reason for seeking massage therapy). This could be a physical complaint, emotional stressor, or a combination of both. Describe how the client’s condition affects their daily life or specific activities.

Assessment

• Describe how you assessed the client’s needs. This could involve initial interview questions, physical assessment techniques (e.g., palpation or special tests), or observations (e.g., posture, gait, muscle tone, range of motion, pain points, or other physical symptoms or clinical manifestations). 
• Objective Measurements: Select an appropriate measurement that you will use to assess the effectiveness of your interventions. For example, you can use the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) to measure pain before and after treatment on 0-10 scale. Or you could assess changes in range of motion, muscle tone, edema, posture, movement, special test, etc. 

Treatment Plan

• Describe the proposed massage therapy treatment plan. Include the following:
  • Expected frequency and duration of treatments (how often and how long)
  • Specific techniques or modalities to be used.
  • Any recommended self-care or exercises for the client. 
  • Treatment goals (what you hope to achieve, both short-term and long-term).

Treatment Sessions

• Give a summary of the actual sessions. Include the following: 
  • Date and Duration: When the session took place and for how long.
  • Techniques Applied: Specific strokes, pressure points, or modalities used.
  • Client Feedback: Immediate responses, levels of comfort or discomfort, any adjustments made during the session.
  • Post-Treatment Observations: Changes in pain level, range of motion, or other relevant observations.
  • (Optional) Include treatment notes for each session.

Results and Observations

• Summarize and discuss the outcome of the treatment sessions. Include the number of sessions, response to treatment, side effects, challenges faced, and any adjustments made to the treatment plan.
• Results: A comparison of the client’s condition from the initial assessment to the end of the case study period. Were the treatment goals met? Any unexpected outcomes or observations? Provide specific details.
• Client’s Feedback: The client’s perspective on the treatment’s effectiveness, any benefits or challenges they experienced.

Conclusion

• Reflect on the entire case. Provide a concise wrap-up of the case study.  Explain why the case is unique or significant. Discuss any lessons learned, personal insights, and how they may apply to clinical practice.
• Recommendations: Discuss what might be done differently in a similar future case. 

References

• Provide a list of references to any books, articles, resources, or other studies cited in the case study. This enables readers to delve deeper into the topic if they wish.