Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

A primary concern for treating a client who has peripheral neuropathy is that the __________.

1. client's blood pressure may drop too low.

2. client may be hyposensitive to pressure level.

3. client may develop severe headaches.

4. client's glucagon level will elevate.

The correct answer is: client may be hyposensitive to pressure level.

A primary concern when treating a client with peripheral neuropathy is that the client may be hyposensitive to pressure levels. Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the peripheral nerves, which can impair sensory perception. As a result, the client may not accurately perceive the amount of pressure being applied during a massage. This hyposensitivity can lead to several complications, such as the client being unaware of discomfort or pain, increasing the risk of injury. For instance, if a massage therapist applies too much pressure, the client may not feel it and could sustain bruising or other tissue damage. Therefore, understanding a client’s sensory limitations is crucial for providing safe and effective treatment. While other concerns such as blood pressure fluctuations, headaches, and glucagon levels could theoretically impact treatment, they are not the primary issues directly associated with peripheral neuropathy itself. The focus remains on the compromised sensory feedback, which directly affects the process of giving and receiving massage.