L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 77
Resources
AAAAI.org. "Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)." American
Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. www.aaaai.
org/conditions-treatments/related-conditions/mcas.
Afrin, Lawrence B. et al. "Characterization of Mast
Cell Activation Syndrome." The American Journal
of the Medical Sciences 353, no. 3 (2017): 207–15.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjms.2016.12.013.
Azuma, Kenichi et al. "Chemical Intolerance: Involvement
of Brain Function and Networks After Exposure to
Extrinsic Stimuli Perceived as Hazardous." Environmental
Health and Preventive Medicine 24, no. 1 (2019):
61. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-019-0816-6.
Conti, Pio et al. "Impact of Mast Cells in Fibromyalgia
and Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation: Can IL-
37 Play a Role?" Dermatologic Therapy 33, no. 1
(2020): e13191. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.13191.
Ehlers-Danlos.com. "Mast Cell Disorders in Ehlers-Danlos
Syndrome (for Non-Experts)." The Ehlers-Danlos Society.
www.ehlers-danlos.com/2017-eds-classification-non-
experts/mast-cell-disorders-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-2.
Healthline.com. "Histamine Intolerance: Causes,
Symptoms, and Diagnosis." Updated March 7, 2019.
www.healthline.com/health/histamine-intolerance.
Kohn, Alison and Christopher Chang. "The Relationship
Between Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (h-EDS),
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS),
and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)." Clinical
Reviews in Allergy & Immunology 58, no. 3 (2020):
273–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-019-08755-8.
Miller, Claudia S. et al. "Mast Cell Activation May
Explain Many Cases of Chemical Intolerance."
Environmental Sciences Europe 33, no. 1 (2021): 129.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-021-00570-3.
Monaco, Ashley et al. "Association of Mast-Cell-Related
Conditions with Hypermobile Syndromes: A Review of
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419–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-022-09280-1.
Russek, Leslie. (2018) "Is It Really Fibromyalgia? Recognizing
Mast Cell Activation, Orthostatic Tachycardia, and
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Theoharides, Theoharis C., Irene Tsilioni, and Mona
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13 (2019): 353. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2019.00353.
How can we minimize risks, and
maximize the benefits our work has to offer?
We could:
• Make sure our priorities for massage
align with our clients' priorities.
• Create a scent-free, allergen-free
setting to the best of our ability.
• Partner with clients to create a trigger-
free environment. That might mean
inviting them to provide their own
linens if they don't tolerate our
detergent and finding a lubricant that
is soothing and not irritating—they
may have suggestions for that.
• Manage the air quality in our workspace
with appropriate air filters or purifiers.
• Ask about other accommodations we
can make, like helping them deal with
POTS, dizziness, or other symptoms
as they get up after their session.
It seems clear that with MCAS and other
associated disorders, massage is unlikely
to fix or cure anything. But with care,
knowledge, and sensitivity, we can probably
create an experience for clients that feels safe
and supportive of their wellness goals.
Note
1. Thomas Buttgerit, "Idiopathic Mast Cell
Activation Syndrome Is More Often
Suspected Than Diagnosed—A Prospective
Real‐Life Study," Allergy (April 1, 2022):
https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15304.
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 (available
at booksofdiscovery.com), now in its
seventh edition, which is used in massage
schools worldwide. Werner is available at
ruthwerner.com.
PATHOLOGY PERSPECTIVES
