Checking clients BP and pulse

[Roma Muhammad]

Does anyone do this. I learnt how to as a nursing assistant and have wondered whether it might be a good idea to do this. Perhaps partly as an experiment to see what effect reflexology has, ie before and after treatments. Also as people are often sufffering stress and may have raised blood pressure and be unaware of it, as happend to a close friend.

Any views

Jan

 

[soccerplyr315]

I do it when there is a history or if someone is feeling yucky....
however I have to be very careful and say it is a guide only and you would not in any way suggest that they have a bp problem etc etc....

I tend to find after a treatment it raises slightly then a wee while after it drops, i also if appropriate do a weight and a bodyfat reading....

heck i am a scary therapist!!!

T
x

 

[Abu Dhabi Nihilism Front]

OOOhh you are a bit scary, body fat too eh!! Although I've got a weight/height thing on my consultation forms I never ask the ladies their weight as I know they will probably lie like I do!! Quite a few of my clients have been under weight and need to build up a bit.

I do observe though and we always discuss diet etc, and I think it helps too that I am no 'stick insect'.

I would do as you do, and recommend regular checks with Gp or nurse. The problem with high BP is that there are so often no symptoms to urge people to do this.

Jan x

 

[unnga]

Hi Jan,

We were taught to take a pulse reading before and after treatment but not to take BP.

We have found that, in the majority of cases, the pulse rate drops following treatment - only to be expected because of the relaxing effect of treatment.

Occasionally the pulse rate is raised. We do not divulge this info to our clients.

That's the way we work. We wouldn't want to try to spoil the effects of treatment by scaring our clients if their BP or pulse rate were high - or low come to that. They would, in most cases, be aware of their BP, pulse, etc and tell us during the consultation.

 

[Shady Vines]

hmmm sticky this. whilst i can see the point, i am not so sure its not over stepping those oh so delicate boundaries of what we should do.

if we are not trained to take BP/ pulse then i dont think we should, even though it may well be helpful.

i understand that you learnt as a nursing assistant, jan but even so, i just think its shaky ground...

 

[essassin]

I agree with Rosie: I think once we start doing procedures which clients view as 'medical tests' (and that is how people view a blood pressure check) we may be on very shaky ground.

I'm a fully qualified nurse but I wouldn't check anyone's BP as I think they should go to their GP or practice nurse for that.

You have to be very careful as well as the NHS has stopped using mercury filled sphygmomanometers as they've been deemed to be unsafe so unless you have an electronic BP machine I wouldn't go there.

Love

sulis xx

 

[xheuguhnikriobero]

Yes, this occurred to me as I re-read this thread.

I really wouldn't like to have my bp taken when going for a treatment. If I thought my bp was not right I would go the the surgery to get it done. Having said that if it was high, say, then I would seek complementary treatments to lower it, but then that's me.

I see it as being too 'clinical' and not my job or responsibility.

 

[Kevin Parrinello]

should make clear I only do this when think it may be unsafe to do a treatment, or client has requested it anyway....

some of mine do....without me even offering....maybe its my area!!!!


T
x

 

[haloreachranks]

As a qualified Nurse and Midwife, I to feel that it is not a good idea to be doing clients blood pressure at a therapy session.
There are many reasons for raised blood pressure, If they feel they have problems they should visit thier GP or surgery so the Nurse can advise them.
Glynis

 

[kydfapek]

I am about to have to do this as part of the vtct stress management using therapy techniques, theoretically as an evaluation aid, but i must say i am not at all comfortable about it ( especially weighing clients) as i feel it is an area i'm not qualified properly in and i certainly don't feel it aids destressing

 

[Vote Repubs Nov 2010!]

Have to say I did this recently on a client who thought they may be high.....the diastolic was over 110!! we repeated again over 20mins after a sit down and chat (friend of a friend, cup of tea etc) and it was 108. He is now getting this addressed and I have to say I am pleased I did it as he is slim, young and fairly active. So a job well done methinks....

Tigs
x

 

[Kaycee]

but, T, if this chap thought he had high BP, why didnt he just go to the doctor and have it checked, diagnosed and treated?

whenever i go to the doctor (which is thankfully not often) i get him to check my BP, as it was high during pregnancy and i have it in the family. my doctor does not see it as a problem for me to want to check it.

i just think that when we suspect things with ourselves as not being quite right, we should always ask a doctor first as they are the diagnosticians, not us.

 

[Pie Dragon7]

Hiya Rosie

he is not even registered in this area, no doctor for years!!! I was not doing it too diagnose him just want to make that clear. He was coming in for a vigourous massage and as he didnt know but thought it might be he wanted it checked, and I am glad I did.

Sometimes people suspect something but are keeping there eyes closed, easier to deal with, perhaps it felt safer with me....

As i say i dont do it that often but I think it shows sometimes it can be really useful....

Tigs
x