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Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis

Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis
8 CE Hours
$85.00

Cost includes all materials. Shipping, if applicable, is a flat rate.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition that every massage therapist should understand. Because massage therapists work directly with the body and circulatory system, recognizing potential warning signs and understanding when massage may be contraindicated are important components of safe and responsible client care.

This 8 CE hour course provides massage therapists with a comprehensive overview of deep vein thrombosis, including what causes blood clots, common risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and potential complications such as pulmonary embolism.

The course also focuses on what massage therapists need to know when working with clients who may be at risk for DVT. You’ll learn important safety considerations, contraindications, client screening considerations, and when referral to a healthcare professional may be necessary.

In this course, you will learn:

  • What deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is and how blood clots develop
  • Common causes and risk factors associated with DVT
  • The signs and symptoms that may be associated with a deep vein thrombosis
  • How DVT is diagnosed and treated
  • The relationship between DVT and pulmonary embolism
  • Potential complications associated with blood clots
  • Ways DVT may be prevented and risk factors reduced
  • Important massage therapy contraindications and precautions related to DVT
  • What massage therapists should consider when screening clients
  • When massage should be avoided due to the possibility of DVT
  • When referral to a healthcare professional may be appropriate
  • How to approach DVT-related concerns within the scope of massage therapy
  • Practical case studies that demonstrate how DVT considerations may arise in a massage therapy setting

Why take this course?

Understanding DVT can help massage therapists make more informed decisions about client safety and treatment. A client may have risk factors for a blood clot without realizing it, making it important for massage therapists to recognize potential warning signs and understand when massage should not be performed.

  • Text: Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis, by Melissa Dawahare, ND, 43 pages
  • Online video bank with over 4 hours of DVT resources
  • Guide with instructions
  • Multiple choice exam of 45 questions, 2 case studies with fill in the blank questions
  • Course evaluation
  • Certificate of achievement upon completion
  • Unlimited phone and email support for any of your questions

The Center for Massage Therapy Continuing Education, LLC is an Approved Provider through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); Approved Provider number 409296-00.

Our online massage continuing education courses are also accepted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), and most state boards.

For more information on individual state requirements and approvals, please visit our Approvals page and click on your state.

It was a very good refresher, even for me as an R.N. and L.M.T. Thank you. - Mary Kathleen Thomson

I never realized the danger involved in DVT. This course was great! - Cindy Hummel, LMT

This course was so simple and yet provided so much valuable information. - Tran Thu

I was impressed by the content and the ease of use of this website. I will definately recommend to other therapists. - Judy Wetrosky

A deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot:
A.    That has traveled from a vein to the lung
B.    Located in a superficial vein, usually in the arm or leg
C.    That has traveled from a vein to the brain
D.    Located in a deep vein, usually in the leg

This risk of developing DVT during a hospitalization is ____ times higher than normal.
A.    6
B.    7
C.    8
D.    9

Massage therapy is contraindicated in known or suspected DVT because massage pressure or movement could:
A.    Dislodge the clot from the vein initiating an embolus
B.    Increase the clot size in the vein
C.    Decrease the clot size in the vein
D.    Dislodge the clot from the artery initiating an embolus

Course Author

About the Instructor

Dr. Melissa Dawahare

Dr. Melissa Dawahare, NMD, RN

Melissa Dawahare, NMD, RN, is a naturopathic medical doctor and a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in the medical field. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Nursing and Sonoran University of Health Sciences, formerly the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Dawahare is the author of several of our continuing education courses including Acupressure Basics, Essential Oils Overview, Massage and Migraines, and Massage and Fibromyalgia Sundrome.