Massage Therapy

[Macadoo]

Has anyone received PMR symptom relief from a licensed massage therapist?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It doesn't help the PMR itself - it can help with the add-ons and myofascial pain syndrome in particular.

PS - speaking from 15 years of personal experience! You often feel worse before you feel better though.

[JanetRosslyn]

It didn't help me, I found it very uncomfortable. What I found very helpful was reflexology and I've stuck with that for the last 18 months as I personally find it pleasurable and relaxing. Missing it terribly at the moment due to lockdown

[Hidden]

I have had one since PMR and it didn't help much for PMR stiffness itself. However, if you have those myofascial knots mentioned by PMRpro around your body, then a deep sports massage can be excellent at unknotting ...but it is extremely painful if you have been knotted for a while. I don't get much from relaxing massages. It's not something I would try at the moment though.

[Constance13]

Didn't help me! I was in pain for TWO days after it.😏 I tried it 3 times over a year but gave up!

[linda49]

A couple of years ago a local equine massage therapist decided to widen her skills and train to offer massage for humans. She completed training in myofascial pain relief techniques and offered treatment at weekends whilst continuing her equine work during the week. I found her work very helpful in reducing the pain I was experiencing in my upper back around and between the shoulder blades. She really does have healing hands. Sadly, she is not doing this work at present as she is supporting her elderly father who has terminal cancer. I would recommend myofascial pain release treatment to relieve pain and improve flexibility.

[Macadoo in reply to linda49]

Thank you for your thoughts on therapeutic massage.

[remission]

I tried for a month and then was told by my physiotherapist that message will only aggravate my condition, because the body is inflamed and he was right, because it did not help.

[PMRCanada]

I haven’t tried massage therapy, but Bowen Therapy helped in my first year after diagnosis, especially as I was tapering down.

I fear a RMT might be too firm/painful given how my neck, shoulders and scalp have felt at times.

[yogabonnie]

until this mess... I have had a massage every month. It helps me immensely. I wouldn't have it when I am in pain, but as long as the prednisone is working and at the right dose the massage does wonders for my OTHER aches and pains and arthritis and facia (is that the word) I trust my massage therapist completely not to break my bones ! I miss it so much and really feel the difference since we have been isolating. I think mostly it was good for my mental health. Nothing like being massaged to calm the mind!

[gaqke10]

Maybe I'm biased, because I am a massage therapist, but I've gotten a massage every two weeks for years and years. It helped me before I got diagnosed (took 4 months) and after.

Missing it so much now in lockdown.

[Hidden in reply to gaqke10]

No need to even think of it as biased. I think it helps some people physically and psychologically (although I have friends who would never try a massage full stop👀)...but it didn't help my PMR symptoms for me but helped other aspects of muscle pain. I would have a sports massage as much as possible if I could afford it. 🥵😁

[gaqke10 in reply to Hidden]

I'm lucky, I could trade massages with a friend who's also a therapist!

[Hidden in reply to gaqke10]

That is lucky!

[Amcor]

Deep tissue massage has helped me a lot. You have to do it regularly though as once a month Is not enough. Simple relaxing massage is not what I am talking about...you need a really good therapist that has strong hands to work on the right areas. To me it hurts so good! The only time I truly feel good is during my treatment. It is not a cure and should be done weekly in my opinion. Yes you can feel like you are bruised in some areas But I find it greatly reduces stiffness because when I am in pain all the time I do not move about as much so the massage stretches and relaxes muscles that are tight. Before the massage treatments I was unable to turn my head from side to side and lift my arms all the way up. So Things like shampooing my hair Was difficult. I now have better movement in my shoulders . Right now Im having my therapy concentrated mostly on my neck. You have to have ongoing treatments To have lasting results though but for me this has worked better than going to physical therapy and acupuncture. I also use a theracane at home that is so necessary and greatly (although temporarily) reduces pain. On top of that I religiously take liquid turmeric ...it works sooo well! Pills not so much.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Amcor]

I agree - not the turmeric though, that's not an option for me. But therapeutic massage - wonderful.

[Hidden in reply to Amcor]

If it doesn't bring tears to the eyes it's not worth it. 😱😢

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Got to get worse before it gets better ...

[DanOstin]

This all is very individual, there are some people who can't suffer the massage and any touches on their body where the pain is localized. others can suffer and get the result. My dad has suffered for many years and over the course of massages, he said it helped him. But he makes massages regularly once in 6 months. We also ordered him a home message on yorvana.com/best-zero-gravi... that he could relax anytime he wants between the seances of the massage. He also makes some easy exercises that his doctor allowed him. And together, it works well.