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

Hi!
I was wondering if anyone gets massage on a regular basis and if it has been beneficial in any way?
Thanks!
Lizzy

Probably about ten years ago (before I knew what this was) I had a number of friends who were trained in massage so I used to quite often get massages. They all used to note really hard knotty lumps down my spine, and I tried a variety of different approaches - from deep tissue massage to just very gentle touch. None of them really did any good with the underlying pain, though I do still like a gentle massage just for the comforting feel of it. For me it wouldn't have been worth paying for as a treatment, and definitely didn't help any with back pain. I suspect that when my pain was worst, it was when inflammation was worst, and so massage would either do nothing, or aggravate it.

I was getting regular massages for about 5 months this spring & summer. Monthly from an experienced pro, and weekly from someone going to massage school (BIG learning curve there!).

If I was flaring badly, the massage didn't seem to do much good. I had so many inflamed areas, that it took quite a while to describe them all so they could be avoided or worked around. Sometimes I didn't know an area was painful until they found it for me!

But as I improved this summer and my inflammation mostly cleared up, the massages really helped to loosen my muscles and encourage me to really relax. I rarely relaxed well when I was hurting all over.

So, if you are hurting in a lot of places, I would just recommend getting a soothing massage on whatever part of your body that isn't inflamed. I wouldn't work too close to painful areas. For me, it wasn't worth paying for a professional massage when I was really flared. Freebies are a different matter!

Maybe other folks have had different experiences and recommendations for you.

Back when at the beginning i was in PT a lot. When she tried to massage certain things, it just made my muscles spasm more. But I'm in a different place now (physically) so wonder if it would be different now. My past experience is that it didn't help, and actually seemed to make things worse.

Hi

I have a massage every two weeks, and it is heaven. I must say I am not flared right now and it is a gentle type . The only problem I have is turning over on the table and then getting back up. I do find I relax in a way I never do at home, so it is worth that. It is also helpful for my depression and anxiety. It is always worth a try, and see what you think. I don't recommend a deep tissue massage, mine is very gentle.

Janet

Hi,

I would like to know whether at all massage is useful for AS.
During 2003, when problems started cropping in, before diagonised as AS, I took accupuncture for back pain. The doctor tried something called "Bowen massage" and claimed that will clear the back pain to a great extent. Some patients consultaing the doctor also told me that they had good relief (Disc related). But, in my case it worsened and I had to stop. Any thoughts?

Jay

I go to a Naprapat physical therapist. She has found a technique that helps the top of my neck at least. We had to (even though I always am delusional and think myself tough as bones and able to take all pain...) resort to very gentle massage. Somehow after those sessions, the top of my neck feels better and actually it feels like it has been swollen above the spine and suddenly isnt anymore. Like in a very real physical way. I can swear it's like she works fluid out of that point or something.

I don't care why it helps, it does, and I'll take it

Thank you for all the responses!
My boyfriend has AS, and my sister and brother in law are both very experienced and well trained massage therapists, and they have offered him free massages whenever he needs them. So I guess we will see how a gentle massage goes!
Thanks again!
Lizzy

OH how I'd love to have free RMT
we only get covereage after first 5 and sometimes the finances dont allow :-(

im a massage therapist.

i find the hot stones is amazing as the heat penitrates deep whilst the massage can be very gentle and soothing. if people go over my spine even though i say not too it can cause me more pain and discomfort but friends who are also therapists know not to tbh and i do find it very beneficial