Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Massage?

I recently began going to PT, humbling experience(again) but helping, but I also found myself having a therapeutic massage last week that was great for the muscles. I went back to have a massage today, and went in feeling ok, left feeling like someone had taken a pipe to me. Not a geef pipe either, drug tests at work. So the masseuse says to me after the hour long session, "feel better?". I lied and said yes. The masseuse knew about my AS, but still seemed to work me over like I was in training for the olympics. I need a different masseuse next time of course. I am wondering if any of my AS brothers and sisters use massage as a part of treatment? Any particular kind? Raindrop? Swedish? Deep tissue (though that would seem to be a bad idea from the get go)? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Peace

Personally I prefer a gentle Swedish massage, and I make sure I say "GENTLE" when I walk in the door. And I say "OUCH, that's too deep!" if the massage therapist hurts me in any way. I don't let them do any stretching of my muscles or joints either. That aside, I get a massage every week and it does me worlds of good. Good luck to you!

I get massages from my daughter (she is excellent) or hubby daily.
Without them I would be a mess. I find the massage relieves the tention so much and witrhout it I get terrible headaches and my back is to stiff.

They are not professionals but I only let them do what I tell them will help. (I used to do sports massage when I was coaching)

Honestly dont even want to think how bad I would be with out the massage.


Trish
xx

I have been going to a RMT every 2 weeks minimum for the past 5.5 years. I can't imagine where I would be with out it! That being said, I have had the same massage therapist for this whole time except when she has been on maternity leave. I think it is important to find one that works well with you, has some knowledge of AS, and listens well. When I first started going she worked on a scale of 1-5. One being can barely feel the pressure, 5 can't stand it it hurts so much. She said if it get to a 4 let her know and she will release it a bit.

It can take time and some trial and error, but finding a Massage Therapist that works is worth all of it. Like I said I would be pretty much immobile if it weren't for massage therapy.

Good luck in your search
Jill

last time i went the gal asked me if i wanted happy ending. I politely said no and damned near tripped over myself trying to get out of there. Wow and it was recommend from someone in the medical field

maybe if i tried again? but when i first finally found a good PT, back in 1999, she tried doing really really gentle massage to my upper back, and when i say gentle, more of a laying on of hands than a massage, told me to see how my back tolerated that. i figured, "but she didn't do anything!" so expected nothing, but a few hours later, the back starting tightening up and went into full muscle spasm.

so she said at that time, everything was just too inflamed for massage, pulled out the ultrasound, and that was such a relief.

she did do gentle massage on the muscles surrounding the bad ones, and mostly that was ok, but even they had a habit of going into spasm when massaged, ever so gently. remember when she massaged the front of my neck and i developed laryngitis for a few days as the muscles spasmed over the vocal cords; it was pretty amazing that the muscles could be that sensitive.

so for me, have found ultrasound, ice or heat (a heating pad, a nice hot bath or shower), "counterstrain", a muscle relaxant, to all be much better for me than "massage". though its possible that i didn't give it enough of a try.

A few months ago I had a osteopathic manipulative treatment. The doctor massaged my neck for about 5 minutes, pressing on different points on my neck. It didn't hurt then but after I got out of there I started to get a headache. The headache lasted about 2 days. Right after that I started getting the migrains. My doctor said it is just a coincidence. I misssed an appointment and never rescheduled. I have a friend who has massage for MS and she says it really helps. I am still working on getting a massuse.

do you have directions to this place? :] haha


yikes!

coincidence my patooty!!! well im glad you have relief now :]

Deep tissue massage (really, any kind of massage) can be very beneficial for us (especially in releasing the facias), but it has to be handled gently and how gently will depend on how you feel. The important thing is communication. Our healthcare team (and a masseuse/masseur is part of our healthcare team) depends on us to tell them how things are working. So, if your massage is getting to hurt, it's important to tell them. Even tho your masseuse knows about your AS, she can only ease up if you ask her to because she doesn't know how you are are feeling. Only you know that.

Also, you might want to consider a hot bath after a deep tissue massage or shiatsu. That will help your muscles remain relaxed and ease them back into normalcy. Sometimes the pain is from our muscles rebelling at being exposed to cold temps (i.e. air conditioning) too quickly.

Just a thought.

Hugs,