Human Skin Functions

The Skin

• The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it's also the most important in terms of manual therapy.
• The skin serves six main functions:
  • Protection: Acts as a barrier to the invasion of organisms and bacteria, and contains melanin to protect against UV rays.
  • Temperature regulation: Helps regulate body temperature through heat absorption, sweat production, and vasodilation/vasoconstriction.
  • Excretion: Releases excess water and toxins through sweat glands.
  • Sensation: Contains specialized nerve endings to detect heat, cold, pressure, and touch.
  • Secretion: Produces sebum to lubricate hair shafts and protect the skin.
  • Formation of chemicals: Produces vitamin D and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH).

Structure of the Skin

• The skin consists of three main layers:
  • Epidermis: The outermost layer, consisting of five sublayers (stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale).
  • Dermis: The middle layer, containing blood and lymphatic supply, collagen fibers, elastin, and various glands.
  • Subcutaneous tissue: The innermost layer, consisting of adipose tissue.

Connection to the Nervous System

• The skin is supplied by autonomic nerves, which innervate skin, blood, and glandular cells.
• Sensory nerve endings send messages to the central nervous system for processing.
• The skin is served by nerves from various parts of the spine, with each segment of the spine covering a specific area of the skin (dermatome).

Pathologies of the Skin

• Eczema: Characterized by red, itchy patches, and can be a local contraindication.
• Psoriasis: Characterized by patchy lesions with a scaly appearance, and can be a local contraindication.
• Contact dermatitis: Characterized by red, itchy patches, and can be a local contraindication.
• Acne vulgaris: Characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, or inflamed red spots, and can be a local contraindication.
• Impetigo: Characterized by fluid-filled blisters, and is a contraindication.
• Folliculitis: Characterized by red pimples with a hair in the center, and is a local contraindication.
• Boils: Characterized by infected hair follicles or oil glands, and is a local contraindication.
• Viral conditions:
  • Ringworm: Characterized by a red, itchy, raised circle, and can be a local or global contraindication.
  • Athlete's foot: Characterized by itchy, flaky skin, and is a local contraindication.

Pigmentation Disorders

• Vitiligo: Characterized by patches of skin with no color or pigment, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Albinism: Characterized by a total absence of pigmentation, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Claasma: Characterized by dark skin discoloration or melasma, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Ethyledes: Characterized by clusters of melanized cells, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Freckles: Characterized by clusters of dark cells, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Lentigo: Characterized by dark patches, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Moles: Characterized by a collection of pigmented cells, and is safe for massage therapy unless changed or irregular.

General Disorders of the Skin

• Broken capillaries: Characterized by fine red lines, and is a local contraindication.
• UV damage: Characterized by a thickened stratum corneum, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Hives: Characterized by itchy, red lumps, and is a local contraindication.
• Allergic reactions: Characterized by red, itchy patches, and is a contraindication.

Skin Cancers

• Basal cell carcinoma: Characterized by nodules or shallow ulcers, and is a local contraindication.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: Characterized by a swelling type cancer, and is a local contraindication.
• Malignant melanoma: Characterized by a mole that becomes larger, darker, and ulcerated, and is a local contraindication.

Impact of Age on the Skin

• As we age, the epidermis and dermis thin, and the skin becomes more delicate and less elastic.
• The skin's immune function, vitamin D production, and glandular secretions decrease with age.
• The skin's nerves do not change with age, so it's still important to communicate with clients about pressure and pain levels.### The Importance of Skin
• Skin is the gateway to the client's nervous system, making it a crucial area to consider in treatment.
• Touching a client's skin allows therapists to identify potential issues, such as inflammation, itching, flaking, and patching.

Pathologies and Contraindications

• It's essential to recognize pathologies on the skin to determine whether to treat a client, modify the treatment, or avoid it altogether.
• Identifying contraindications, local or otherwise, is critical to ensure safe and effective treatment.
• If in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution, consult with the client, and seek medical clarity before proceeding.

Hygiene and Safety

• Hygiene is paramount, especially between clients, to prevent the transmission of bacterial and viral elements.
• Age and skin quality are crucial factors in determining the appropriate techniques and pressures to use.

Tailoring Techniques to Clients

• Techniques, such as firm str or gliding transverse str, should be tailored to the client's individual skin type and needs.
• Delicate older skin may require more gentle techniques, while other clients may benefit from firmer pressures.
• Understanding the client's skin and adapting techniques accordingly is essential for delivering effective treatments.

The Skin

• The skin is the largest organ in the body, playing a crucial role in manual therapy.
• It serves six main functions: protection, temperature regulation, excretion, sensation, secretion, and formation of chemicals.

Structure of the Skin

• The skin consists of three main layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.
• The epidermis is the outermost layer, comprising five sublayers: stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale.
• The dermis is the middle layer, containing blood and lymphatic supply, collagen fibers, elastin, and various glands.
• The subcutaneous tissue is the innermost layer, consisting of adipose tissue.

Connection to the Nervous System

• The skin is supplied by autonomic nerves, innervating skin, blood, and glandular cells.
• Sensory nerve endings send messages to the central nervous system for processing.
• The skin is served by nerves from various parts of the spine, with each segment of the spine covering a specific area of the skin (dermatome).

Pathologies of the Skin

• Eczema: characterized by red, itchy patches, and can be a local contraindication.
• Psoriasis: characterized by patchy lesions with a scaly appearance, and can be a local contraindication.
• Contact dermatitis: characterized by red, itchy patches, and can be a local contraindication.
• Acne vulgaris: characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, or inflamed red spots, and can be a local contraindication.
• Impetigo: characterized by fluid-filled blisters, and is a contraindication.
• Folliculitis: characterized by red pimples with a hair in the center, and is a local contraindication.
• Boils: characterized by infected hair follicles or oil glands, and is a local contraindication.
• Viral conditions:
  • Ringworm: characterized by a red, itchy, raised circle, and can be a local or global contraindication.
  • Athlete's foot: characterized by itchy, flaky skin, and is a local contraindication.

Pigmentation Disorders

• Vitiligo: characterized by patches of skin with no color or pigment, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Albinism: characterized by a total absence of pigmentation, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Claasma: characterized by dark skin discoloration or melasma, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Ethyledes: characterized by clusters of melanized cells, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Freckles: characterized by clusters of dark cells, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Lentigo: characterized by dark patches, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Moles: characterized by a collection of pigmented cells, and is safe for massage therapy unless changed or irregular.

General Disorders of the Skin

• Broken capillaries: characterized by fine red lines, and is a local contraindication.
• UV damage: characterized by a thickened stratum corneum, and is safe for massage therapy.
• Hives: characterized by itchy, red lumps, and is a local contraindication.
• Allergic reactions: characterized by red, itchy patches, and is a contraindication.

Skin Cancers

• Basal cell carcinoma: characterized by nodules or shallow ulcers, and is a local contraindication.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: characterized by a swelling type cancer, and is a local contraindication.
• Malignant melanoma: characterized by a mole that becomes larger, darker, and ulcerated, and is a local contraindication.

Impact of Age on the Skin

• As we age, the epidermis and dermis thin, and the skin becomes more delicate and less elastic.