Is a massage ok?

[Brannangirl]

Hi, today at school our bosses had 2 massage therapists give the staff a massage for Teacher Appreciation week. As the therapist was giving me the upper body massage she kept saying I was really tight and she was working on my shoulders. She said it about 3 times and I said, I have lupus and I was wondering if that was why maybe? She stopped and said we aren't supposed to give massages to lupus patients because it could cause a blood clot to move since massages get the circulatory system moving. I have had pulmonary embolism in the past and also blood clots in the leg last summer and I have a blood clotting gene too so we stopped of course. Do any of you get massages? I was looking forward to it to help the back pain. I admit it didn't feel real well and it did hurt. My 15 min. massage only lasted about 3 min. So have any of you heard that before or do you get massages to help the muscle pain? Now I wonder should I even let my husband massage my back when I'm in pain. I'd appreciate any info.

[LoopyLoo]

Hi Brannangirl,

I don't know if what you were told about the blood clots is correct but I'm sure someone will come along that has more info.

I had a sports massage on my neck & shoulders a few months before I was diagnosed. It was absolute agony & I suffered for over a week afterwards.

The person that did it works at our gym in work & he felt really bad at the time that he'd hurt me but we couldn't work out why. After my diagnosis he looked into it & read that Lupus patients shouldn't have any form of deep massage as it can cause further inflammation. I've heard this a few times since.

I see a physio for accupuncture which is working out really well but she said to me today that before she trained in accupuncture it could be very difficult to find the right treatment for Lupies as it might exacerbate symptoms.

My hubby used to be great at massaging my sore bits but we don't take the chance now.

The other thing I have tried is Indian Head massage & Reiki but the therapist had researched Lupus thoroughly over the years as her friend had it.

Hope this helps,

Take care,

Pam xxx

[Maxx]

It seems to me a massage might cause you to throw a clot.
Have you been tested for APS?
I think Clair would be the one to ask about this issue. She is very knowledgeable about APS.

[acard]

Hello,
I have had many massages-I get the swedish?? Anyway,it is a light gentle massage. I tried a deep tissue once and I was in agony:worried: . Was it my fibro or lupus? I do not know, but it isn't for me.

The other thing that REALLY hurt me was a chiropractor. My friend swore this was the best thing since
sliced bread- I left and I could not turn my head left or right as I am driving home. I was in tears.

Pam- I too have tried Reiki my step mom treated me to it and it was sooooo relaxing and great, but I can't afford to do it.

Actually the lady who does Reiki has discoid lupus and that was why step mom put us together. She was the one who told me about this awesome message board.

I would talk to your dr. I think we need to consult w/ our drs. when we are considering holistic healing practices. What may be great for Jane may be terrible for Sally:hehe: .

Take Care,
Becca:p

[Brannangirl]

Thanks all for the advice. I've had a rough weekend, I don't know if it was due to the 3 min massage or just concidence.
Yes Maxx I have been tested for the APS and it was negative, but I do have the mutated Factor 5 Leiden gene that causes blood clots and since I've had 2 past history of blood clots I don't think I will do anymore massages and if I ever decided too I would consult my doctor like you said Becca. I appreciate all you guys help and info.
Take care!

[Maia]

I think you can always tell the therapist to use a light touch during a massage if there are concerns about releasing a clot. Keep in mind... that if the clot is just being released from massage, then it was already there. I'm not sure if massage can actually *cause* a clot.

I have the clotting antibodies, and had some small blood vessel clots, and still get massages. Depending on how I feal at the moment, I ask for either light massage, or medium massage.

[Maxx]

Brannangirl

If you have had clots before you really shouldn't get the massages.

[Lupusgal68]

Hi there,

I am a LCMT and I can tell you that Massage is a contraindication to Lupus as well as many other conditions. Many do not know this and it's the responsibility of the therapist to know who they can and cannot work on. If you do have a clotting disorder you should not receive massage. Swedish can be very useful for people with Fibro. Unfortuately, if you have Fibro and Lupus and are in a flare I would advise against it. Massage...any kind of massage, will over stimulate the system of a Lupus patient. When you receive massage it releases all of the toxins surrounding tissues, muscles, etc. These toxins circulate through the body and are released through the kidney's. I would stay clear of this and Reflexology another contraindication. Try other modalities such as Cranial Sacral, Reiki has been found to be very useful with Lupus patients.

Hope this helps
Pam:)

[Brannangirl]

Thanks everyone for the information. Pam thanks so much. I know with that being your field of work, you have alot of knowledge on that. This therapist was still in training, but she wanted to stop as soon as I told her I had lupus and especially when she found out I have a blood clotting disorder and had blood clots twice in my main veins and one time they moved to the lungs. I know I really felt bad over the weekend and I don't know if it was the message or not, but I won't ever do one again. What is Cranial Sacral and Reiki?
I really appreciate your help. Thanks again.