Massage Therapy CEs | Pathology

Pathology - Varicose Veins

As a dedicated massage therapist, you know that when working with clients who have varicose veins, understanding the condition, its causes, and how to adapt your techniques is crucial. This knowledge not only enhances your practice but also prevents unintended harm.

What Every Massage Therapist Should Know About Varicose Veins

Varicose veins occur when venous valves fail, leading to blood pooling and vein enlargement. While they are often considered a cosmetic concern, they can cause significant discomfort, swelling, cramping, and even serious complications such as ulcers or blood clots. Superficial veins, particularly the saphenous veins in the lower leg, are the most commonly affected.

Clients with varicose veins may seek massage for relief from discomfort or associated muscle tension, but improper techniques can worsen symptoms or even pose health risks. This is where your knowledge and skill as a trained professional come into play.

Understanding how to safely address varicose veins through massage is essential for providing effective, ethical, and professional care. By pursuing continuing education in this area, you:

- Gain confidence in working with clients who have venous insufficiency.

- Learn how to modify techniques to maximize benefits while ensuring safety.

- Enhance your credibility and expand your client base by offering specialized care.

- Stay up to date with the latest research on massage and vascular health.

This course will deepen your understanding to help you understand when and how to refine your skills, ensuring that your practice remains both effective and safe. Investing in this knowledge will not only protect your clients but also elevate your expertise in the ever-evolving field of massage therapy.

Course Details

Tuition: $22 USD

Massage Therapy Continuing education CEs earned: 2

Course classification: Cognitive (course materials consist of concepts related to massage therapy but do not teach a specific hands-on modality)

Approved by: Institute of Somatic Therapy is approved by the NCBTMB (Provider #280672-00) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Institute of Somatic Therapy is approved by Florida (#MCE-326), and New York (#0019). Our courses are also valid for AMTA, ABMP, and most individual states. Some states limit how many hours can be done online or by home study. Please refer to our State Guidelines section for specific information about your state. Laws can and do change, and your state will hold you responsible for knowing the laws that apply to you.

Attention Florida Massage Therapists: This course is approved by Florida as an approved distance learning course for required hours of "relevant to massage therapy" category hours through 8/31/2025. You are still allowed to complete the 12 required "relevant to massage therapy" hours via approved online courses through at least 2025. The approval number for this course is 20-796662.

CE Broker Reporting: Institute of Somatic Therapy will automatically report your hours to CE Broker in applicable states ONLY IF you have provided your license number in your online account with us.

If you are interested in this massage therapy CEU course, other courses that might be of interest to you are: Pathology - Deep Vein Thrombosis; Pathology - Sciatic Pain

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do you report our course completions to the NCBTMB, ABMP, AMTA, or any other agencies?

None of these agencies have a method for us to report to them on your behalf. They prefer that you provide the evidence of CEs that their renewal process details.

Who should take this course on varicose veins and massage therapy?

This course is ideal for licensed massage therapists seeking continuing education credits (CEUs) and wishing to expand their knowledge of working safely with clients who have varicose veins. It is especially beneficial for therapists who work with aging populations, pregnant clients, or individuals with circulatory concerns.

Will this course teach hands-on techniques for working with varicose veins?

This course is classified as "cognitive", meaning that it gives you a basic understanding of what you need to know before working on a client with this condition. This course covers principles for performing safe and effective massage techniques for clients with mild to moderate varicose veins, including appropriate pressure, direction of strokes, and alternative modalities like lymphatic drainage and reflexology. It also highlights contraindications and precautions to ensure client safety.

Does this course count toward my massage therapy continuing education requirements?

Yes, this course gives you 2 continuing education hours for massage therapists. Bear in mind that CEU acceptance varies by state and certification board, so we recommend checking with your licensing body to confirm eligibility.

To contact the Institute of Somatic Therapy about this or any other massage therapy CEU course, please go to the "contact" link above. Thank you.