Massage Therapy

[terkee]

HI All :wave: ,
I have so much pain in my back from the neck to the low back. I get muscle spasms that wake me up in the night, mainly in my neck. I hate adding more meds and I have been trying massage therapy when I can afford it. The therapist always says my back is severe and the rheumy says it's the lupus. Here's the thing, when I have a massage my back does feel better but my pain and stiffness in my hands, wrists and feet and ankles increases. In fact, I feel worse all over even though my back feels better and it lasts up to a week :( . The therapist says there's not a lot of information out there about massage therapy and lupus. Has anyone experienced anything like this or been given information about massage therapy and lupus? I am always looking for something to help other than more medicines! It is so nice that we can all pool our information and help each other :love: . Thank you all,
Terry

[Shelleyshells]

:flowers:
I'm sorry. If it's not one thing it's another! You have to figure out what has the bigger payoff for you physically. It's not fair.... :(

I have had similar experiences after massage therapy. Most of the time, it was because I didn't drink enough water to flush out the toxins. Other times, the therapist was too rough. Sometimes, it just caused huge inflammation throughout my body.

I would suggest that you strengthen your back with exercises designed specifically for the back. I used to have horrible problems until a therapist had me strengthen my back with exercise.

You have probably already tried all of these things....that's just my two cent's worth!

Hugs!! :love:
Shelley

[terkee]

Thanks Shelley,
I usually drink a lot of water and I take an Epsom salts bath also. When I don't do that my back is very sore afterwards. I do have some exercises to do, but sometimes even that's not enough. I appreciate the tip. Every little bit helps
Terry

[raggedyann1]

Terry,

I would ask the massage therapist to be much more gentle with you. There are various levels of training they can have and I have found that makes a big difference. I have always looked for someone with 800 hours of training vs the 250-350 hours they need to be licensed in the state of california. They learn different techniques with the advance training which helps them avoid overdoing it on our lymph glands and I am not sure what else, i just know for me it is a big difference.

Take care,
Karen

[HelenS]

hi, i get regular massage therapy - it has helped me a great deal. the therapist can use light pressure if you prefer. luv helenxx