Melt Method?

[SusyTe]

A well-meaning friend of mine who is a Pilates teacher sent me information about something new called Melt Method. A friend of hers, another Pilates teacher, has just qualified in the Method. I wondered if anyone had heard of it? It says it helps with chronic pain. 🤔

meltmethod.com/en-gb/pages/...

[Longtimer]

Will study it when I can concentrate, anything to “melt” my pain! Thank You

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It may help with some chronic pain- but then so does most targeted exercise. Not sure how it’s going to help PMR though.

[SusyTe in reply to DorsetLady]

I just thought it might be a gentle way to help with pain. It mentions inflammation. Not expecting miracles but at this stage after 7 years I guess I am willing to try anything to make life easier. 😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SusyTe]

It might help, and anything is worth a try…I’ve been going to Pilates for years [started a couple of years into GCA - previously did Yoga, but had to give it up for a number of reasons] - and find it very good…seen me through 3 joint replacements. Just not sure how much better this would be… that’s all.

[SusyTe in reply to DorsetLady]

If I can get my back and hip pain sorted out (non-PMR-related, they think) then I would love to get back to Pilates. Might look at this in addition. There is a class in Dorking, about half an hour away from me. Worth a try, I guess. 😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SusyTe]

Always worth a try….and look forward to feedback 😊

[Jayveedee in reply to SusyTe]

I joined an online Pilates class which I find much easier than having to drive somewhere, especially when it’s dark or cold. I do a ‘live’ class twice a week which I love but there are also recordings I can access any time. There are loads of free ones on YouTube as well. I find it much more gentle than yoga!

[123-go]

It sounds authentic and well put together. I haven't read the huge amount of content but the parts of the programme I have read suggest that it's gentle like some types of yoga and Pilates. The main consideration for people like 'us' is that care should be taken to avoid already further damage to already stressed/weakened muscles. It would be interesting to know if whoever designed this method has any knowledge of PMR and its relations. I'd also hope that anyone with a musculoskeletal disease embarking on a new regime would recognise their own limitations and act accordingly as it could be harmful to try to push through chronic pain.

I'll look particularly at the balance and 'dowagers hump' (aka buffalo hump).

If you do give it a try let us know how it goes.

[SusyTe in reply to 123-go]

I think it looks interesting and worth a try. If I give it a go I will report back. I will talk to the teacher first about my PMR and make sure she and I know my limitations. 😊

[123-go]

Excellent! 👍

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Lying on a floor? In your dreams!!!!

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

I can manage lying on a floor normally so long as I am on a padded mat. 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

But I'd never get up again!!!!

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry to hear that. I hope if I needed help the instructor would assist me.

[autumnlass in reply to SusyTe]

I’d need a crane.

[SusyTe in reply to autumnlass]

Sorry to hear that.

[autumnlass in reply to SusyTe]

Sorry - excuse my flippancy SusyTe.. 😢 I couldn’t get up from the floor now.. which is a shame, but I do chair yoga which is lovely for me. I used to do Pilates and loved it too, but my knees are at absolute rubbish now. I wish you luck in finding classes that will help with pain management. 🙏🌸

[SusyTe in reply to autumnlass]

Thank you. I am glad you enjoy chair yoga - I will look into that. Just feeling desperate.

[autumnlass in reply to SusyTe]

I’m sorry SusyTe… I hope you can get some help with that chronic pain. Unremitting pain is awful. Hope your GP and Rheumatology can help.

I’ve just had an eye op 48 hours ago… not a walk in the park… but one keeps plodding on. Good Luck 🫂🐣🍀🍀

[SusyTe in reply to autumnlass]

Thanks. It is exhausting, as we all know. I get the results of the latest MRI next week and we will see where we go from here.

Sorry to hear about your eye op. I hope you are not in too much discomfort.

We just keep calm and carry on. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 💪🏻

[autumnlass in reply to SusyTe]

Good Luck with that Susy Te. Xx

[SusyTe]

Ok, so I have my answer - no-one so far has heard of it, thanks. I just thought it was worth asking. I am feeling desperate at the moment.

[Kendrew in reply to SusyTe]

Hi SusyTe,

I'd never heard of it too, but it does sound interesting...and another potential 'alternative gentle therapy'.

As others have already said though, I'd regard it as definitely something that may contribute to easing symptoms and side effects but probably no more or less effective than yoga or pilates. It's another option for people to consider though and therefore opens up our choices a little more.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[ladygigger in reply to SusyTe]

I was searching to see whether anyone had tried the MELT method and found this thread.

I've seen an advert on my village community page on Facebook today for a class that's running in the next village and as it mentions 'chronic pain' and 'painful connective tissue' I wondered if it might help and whether anyone had got relief with it! Did you ever go to a 'class'?

I've read their website and, like others, notice that they push their related products. I already have a yoga mat (not that I've used it since the start of PMR! - not sure how easily I could even get off the floor...)

The other thing that I didn't like was that when I clicked on the link to see how much a ticket would cost you can't do that unless you sign up - which I'm not willing to do until I know how much it costs!

[SusyTe in reply to ladygigger]

Hello ladygigger. Unfortunately I never got to go to a class because my back and hip went haywire and I am in too much pain even with the Pred, and also Naproxen and Paracetamol. Have had lots of MRIs and this week I get the results of the latest ones and hopefully a plan of action. They are trying to rule out Discitis for starters. I know I now have osteoarthritis on top of the PMR but fear I may have rheumatoid arthritis as well. So now I wouldn’t be able to do MELT. But if you try it please do let me know anyway. Hope you find something that helps. ❤️ x

[ladygigger in reply to SusyTe]

Wishing you the very best of luck with your tests. I have various bits and pieces with osteoarthritis and, of course, the PMR favourite - hip bursitis (the one that wakes me up nightly).

[SusyTe in reply to ladygigger]

Thank you - I appreciate it. Ah yes, bursitis - horrible. I am sorry you have it. All this blasted pain - we need a medal! 💪🏻 x

[Stills in reply to SusyTe]

hi, note my diagnosis is Stills Disease which for me manifests as rheumatoid Disease so all joints stiff and immobile like a wooden puppet.

Steroids prescribed for years aged 17-22 with nothing preventative for bones hence aged 35 was told I was osteoporotic. I started on the gym class routine but was told a class called Body Balance, which was all the rage 20 odd years ago, was NOT for those of us with osteoporosis. About 8 years ago the menopause seemed to make my joints worse so I tried Hatha (spelling?) yoga and loved it but as I can’t bear weight on my wrists quickly had to stop that too sadly.

Exercise wise these days I enjoy a gentle swim and leisurely cycle on a sit up bike. Recently tried aqua yoga at my local gym which was good but I got cold too quickly and cold equals stiffness for me so not perfect either. Walking with my music on is good as the tune sets the pace but when Status Quo comes on I can’t quite manage to break into a jog 😜 Hope you get good results soon.

[SusyTe in reply to Stills]

Sorry to hear about Stills. Glad you have found some gentle exercise that suits.

If I can get my hip sorted I plan to get back to swimming and walking. 👍

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ladygigger]

Is the sign-up or just for further info - i.e. pushy letters? That alone would put me off - is it even allowed?

meltmethod.com/en-eu

is their website - looking at the banner video I can't imagine doing some of those exercises and their models are all about 2/3 our age!!!! And I'd never get up from the floor!!

[ladygigger in reply to PMRpro]

You have to sign up just to get on the booking site, which I've done. I don't like it when you can't decline cookies (my normal practice) and will unsubscribe shortly.

The cost of a class is £10, and you are asked to disclose any medical conditions. I'm going to put a comment in the discussion (if I can) to see whether it would be suitable. As I'm 6 weeks post lung surgery, I have even less mobility than usual!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ladygigger]

The website offers a month free - just remember to cancel it!!!!!! It would let you see a load of videos so you can see what you are expected to do, However, I just googled MELT videos YouTube you can see them free without a subscription!

The first I looked at summed it up "MELT is products ... a philosophy" - and I suspect that sums it up entirely, they make their money like a gym subscription, you have to buy in to use it and the products are pretty pricey - and then you probably WON'T use them.

The second - OMG!!! She starts by demonstrating some moves using the roller that she calls gliding and are basic to the entire technique as I understand it.

I see her points - however, for the average PMR patient? Not sure at all

[ladygigger in reply to PMRpro]

The class I was looking at also includes Bowen (no idea) and Chi Gung. Now I did look that up and found a basics video (as you do) on YouTube. Since it seems to involve a lot of windmilling of arms, that ain't gonna happen any time soon! At the moment, I can't move either arm through 360 degrees, one has a rotator cuff tear and the other doesn't reach higher than my shoulder.

Nope, not going there! I did send a message to an osteopath friend, but he hasn't seen it yet.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ladygigger]

Includes Bowen? Blowed if I can see how - that is a one2one hands-on therapy that requires you to be relaxed on a treatment bed in a quiet room - or does the woman offer it too? I would love to do QuiGong but can't find any here.

[ladygigger in reply to PMRpro]

I think it's an additional feature or option. She has actually responded to my comment on her Facebook post to say that it is suitable for PMR sufferers and that she mainly works with people living with complex chronic pain conditions. At a first class she'd go slowly and pace me to see how my body responds. I went back and said I'd decided to wait a while - at least till my lung re-inflates after surgery and I get signed off from that!

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

I remember you saying that from before - and now I am in a right old state and would join you stuck on the floor! Hey flipping ho.

[ladygigger in reply to PMRpro]

The sign up was just for the booking site. I got that far but no further. The site I found was similar to yours but had en-gb at the end rather than EU - although the prices were all in dollars.

I've had another look at this lady's facebook event/advert and have found her personal page. Apparently she teaches a mixture of Bowen, Chi Kung (fluid movement, apparently) and the MELT method. I've put a comment on her post asking whether it's suitable for those with PMR.

[piglette]

The Melt Method does seem to offer some tried and tested ways of helping chronic pain. One thing I do notice about it though is that it also promotes the purchase of a foam mat that is “better” than normal ones and also those balls you use under your feet with Melt stamped on them. It sounds like a good idea, but with a bit of money making attached for someone. Also you can even buy the book!

[powerwalk]

Hope it helps, worth a try.