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

Hi all just wondering if anybody has gotten any relief from massage therapy...
Was looking into it and wondering if its worth the hassle

Hi There,

I go for a massage every second week, and I love it. The only problem I have is getting off the table. The table is so hard, and I get stiff laying there for the one hour .

Janet

I was kinda wondering the same thing Adzy.I have a prescription i just got from my Rheumatologist to go see a massage therapistif i want,but i haven't used it yet.She said massage is good to get my tense muscles to relax and relieve some of the pain in my shoulders and neck.I am the same as Jan.I cannot lie on a flat surface for very long...i stiffen right up and it hurts a lot.

John

I used to like massage, if I had someone doing it who understood that I couldn't handle deep tissue massage, but I wouldn't say it gave me any real "relief". I'd still do it, if I had access to a reasonable priced masseur (or another friend who wanted to practice on me!)

I have had more "relief" from a really good physiotherapist who did combinations of heat, ice and gentle mobilisation, but again, understanding what was going on underneath first.

Hi Jeff.

Massage helps a lot "if" you have someone that knows what they are doing and what you can tolerate. Any deep tissue massage just puts me in terrible pain for days.

My PT can give me a massage that will just make me relax enough that I could sleep.

Just question them before you go and let them know your problems and what you need.

Possi

I can handle it better now I believe, but back in the beginning when things weren't managed as well, my muscles were spasming so much that even the gentlest massage from my very good very knowledgeable PT would make the muscles spasm more.

I like the advice of everyone else....give it a try, but proceed with caution.

I sooo agree with what everyone has said. Find a masseuse that you can talk to. Explain what you are going for....tension relief and increased mobility in soft tissues etc. Too much pressure brings on a crazy painful flare.

You could also ask for flexibility (ha ha) in where your massage takes place. Do some lying down and some sitting in a chair. They want to please you by keeping you as comfortable as possible, so you will come back!!

I especially love this one lady I go to who uses essential oils in the massage. She know I have a lot of spasms and so she uses lemon grass oil on me. I love it.

On a funny side note, I had a new gal grab my hand and tell me to relax my wrist during a massage .....ha...my wrists are fused. She was kind of embarrassed.

-Donette

I go once a moth.
Well this moth I go 5-6 times a week I LOVE SPA!

Thanks everyone for the reply ... Sorry it took so long to reply myself but I just got back from duty in Afghanistan . .. I am in need of a massage ..

Thank you for your service. I hope you get a massage "today".
Come to think about it, me too!

Blessings.
Possi