Massage?

[Calceolaria]

One therapy I haven't really tried is massage. What is the best kind to go for without risk of being made to feel worse ?

[teadrinker]

I've had a few experiences of this. I do find that it can make my pain worse - but that's because my pain is triggered by knots in my muscles (ie trigger points). I've mostly just had the traditional massage but at the moment I'm having it from a physio. The first session made things worse so now she does a little bit, in an attempt to get rid of the trigger points, although she says this will take time (it hurts!), and then she puts some heat pads on my shoulder afterwards (which is bliss!) which seems to calm everything down again, and it's helping my pain a lot.

The physio says it's very tempting to "get stuck in" and really go for it with the massage but it's best to go with what you can comfortably manage. I just can't do a full 30 minute thing without feeling like I've been tortured. Any massage tends to leave me very tired.

I think the thing is to have a good talk to the person doing it beforehand and explain what you want and what your pain is like. I would try anything twice, and if it's made you feel rubbish the first time see if they can adjust their treatment to make it better the second time. If you still feel rubbish then maybe they're not the best person to be treating you. Some of the people I've been to have claimed to be very good at massaging away pain - but chronic pain is very different to acute pain from a sports injury, so I don't feel that they've always listened to me.

At the end of the day, if you feel better afterwards - with your pain or /and in yourself, it's worth it. It just feels a big deal if you're having to pay for it and you come out feeling worse!

[Calceolaria]

Thanks Teadrinker. What you describe is exactly what concerns me about most therapies in that some practitioners seem so confident that they are the ones who will 'sort the problem'. Many have tried. So far, acupuncture, acupressure and healing touch work for me but I would so like a massage!

[Hidden]

I enjoy massage, but it is an individual thing as it depends on what and were your pain is x

[Calceolaria]

Thanks Summer. Do you have a Physio type massage or the kind you can get at beauty therapy salons ?

[Hidden]

Hi Calceolaria,

Massage is wonderful once your body accepts it. I would try for at least 3 or 4 sessions before stopping. Keep a note of how you are after each one, and see if there is any improvement in the after pain. As Teadrinkers says, trigger points may be discovered, and it is very normal to feel worse pain after they have been prodded. (Muscle been tight for years and suddenly asked to relax - yes there will be pain, but it is a healing pain) In someone with Chronic pain, it would be very rare to come away without a reaction. And it is also important to understand a reaction is part of the healing process.

How about an aromatherapy massage, breathing in the oils is relaxing too. Or start with a small area like neck and shoulders, we all hold a lot of tension there just because of our lifestyles.

Or if you can tolerate it, a foot massage. Thats equally relaxing. The good thing about massage is that when one part of the body is treated, the brain encourages other muscles to relax too. So you don't need to treat your sore bit straight away.

A physio is good, and as teadrinker says, they will beed to bench mark their massage, and hold off on the next one if you react too much. They may also use other techniques which may be suitabke for your body. They will give you stretching exercises to do at home to help keep you loose and suptle.

Again, there's no standard solution. It does involve a bit of trial and error to find something your body likes. Enjoy the few hours relief before the reaction sets in.

[Calceolaria]

Thank you zanna. I seem to remember reading that you had massage as part of your regime.

[charlie_red]

Hello Calceolaria,

I suffer from back, neck and shoulder pain & massage really helps me. I couldn't tolerate massage from physio as it was a little rough but I have found that aromatherapy massage helps a lot. I have been going to the same woman, once a week for about 2 years now and I think it really helps to go to the same person if you can. The lady knows my pain and where my problem areas are etc.

C x

[Boozybird]

I know someone who swears by the head massage thing (forgotten what it's called) creates state of deep relaxation in the whole body. I went for one once but the bloody masseuse decided she wanted to give me reiki instead! I was we'll annoyed! What can you say! Erm..no thanks. Well you're not going to get any benefit either way after that! As they've said above, a therapist who actually listens is a good starting place! I have a brilliant machine called a mobiliser that you lie on and giant rollers run up and down my back. It has saved my sanity!

[Calceolaria]

That mobilizer sounds wonderful ! But does it press vertebrae as well or are the rollers positioned each side? Will google it now!

[Boozybird]

I've had the machine for several years now. Built by an engineer who was trying to fix his own spine problems and thought deep massage useful. I rented one first and wasn't sure to begin with as you have to build up slowly on the machine but by the end of the month trial I knew I couldn't send it back. It claims to be especially good for hips but I need it every day for my back. Any acute flares aresorted quickly and too much travel or gardening is gone the next day.

[Boozybird]

Oh I forgot to describe the rolling action: two large rollers move steadily up and down raising the lumbars into lordosis and less in thorax. You can program to stay in one part of the body where stiffness is worst.

[Boozybird]

Oh I forgot to describe the rolling action: two large rollers move steadily up and down raising the lumbars into lordosis and less in thorax. You can program to stay in one part of the body where stiffness is worst.

[Calceolaria]

I see I can trial it, one complimentary session then £15 per session at various centres and Thirsk would be nearest to me. Then you can rent them or buy. I would want to trial first as its quite an outlay but worth it if it works ! Many recommendations.

[Rinky123]

Hydrotherm massage ,no need to turn no face holes 3-D massage on warm water cushion