Massage

[Suedeshayes]

Hi. Could a firm handed massage cause a flare? Thanks for any input. S.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Others have said so…

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A deep or therapeutic massage that targets knots of hardened fibres in the large muscles can release the IL-6 cytokine - that is what causes the knots and they are part of myofascial pain syndrome. While the IL-6 is trapped in the muscle fibres it just causes localised pain/discomfort. If a therapist mobilises the knot it releases the IL-6 into the system and you can feel as if it is a flare of the PMR. Once that is out of your system you should feel better - gentle exercise and drinking plenty of water helps. If the knots have been fully moblised, there is no more IL-6 to be released so the aches don't return. In the case of PMR, the IL-6 is being released into the body by the autoimmune disorder on a daily basis and the PMR symptoms continue without pred.

Massage is good - but you have to expect the apparent flare and know how to deal with it or it makes you feel worse not better!

[Suedeshayes in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you all very much for your input. Today I added 4mg to my daily 2, to see if that helped, but I will follow all advice given., with plenty of water and gentle execise. Thank you., I appreciate this forum very much. Feel as if I know you all. ❤️

[SnazzyD]

I only had GCA but once that was ongoing and I was on Pred, a decent massage caused too much pain afterwards. I would feel a bit ill all over with pain in various muscles. I can imagine it would feel like a flare. It passed after a few days but no more massages. I had Bowen or Reflexology instead.

[piglette]

I have an osteopath who says she is much more gentle with people who have PMR.

[Odosmum in reply to piglette]

Yes, my Osteopath, who has been keeping me going for nearly 20 years, does gentler treatments on me since PMR struck. I found that I was in so much pain after a normal session, although the problem was fixed. He has learned a 'nudging' technique rather than the usual twisting and clicking and that works. He usually does 10 minutes under the heat lamp and acupuncture first (he qualified a few years ago) which relaxes everything before the nudging. It works for me, as does the acupuncture for specific aches and pains. I love it.

[piglette in reply to Odosmum]

I must admit, I do enjoy my visits apart from the bill!

[MrsNails]

l had to stop having Facials which included a Neck, Shoulder & Arm Massage as it caused a lot of pain.

They didn’t seem to grasp that a gentle rub on my arms & shoulders would be soothing & comforting……..

[Suedeshayes in reply to MrsNails]

It’s a bummer isn’t it! Xx

[El50]

It has with me - no question about it.