Re: Jami Back pain and massage therapy

[Guest guest]

Jami:

YOur back sounds like mine~! Maybe worse. The osteopath who gave me

my massage is a world renowned dr. in NY who's specialty is

fibromyalgia. I think nobody who walks through his door leaves

without that diagnosis. I think if I had just that and not all the

other structural injuries and resulting curvature problems, I might

not have been hurt by him. If a dr. doesn't have a full idea of

what's wrong or thinks he can 'cure' you and doesn't have experience

with your particular problems, you will end up INJUREd and they will

never admit responsibility for any of it.Not only that once something

is done like that can't be 'undone'. I wish it could. Love,

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Have a question relating to back pain and massage therapy, (now

> that I can move again!) I have a c3-4 fusion and other problems

from

> c6-7 to t3, t8, l1-2 and s2. I also have fibromyalgia (23years

now).

> In accordance with the recommendations of my pain clinic, I started

> massage therapy ...***

>

> Jami,

> I am a professional massage therapist and bodyworker. I'm not

> familiar with the type of massage you experienced in the first

> portion of your session; I have done deep tissue technique for

years

> (which I no longer am able to do). This is what I can tell you

though

> both professionally and personally. I can only address the FMS part

> of your post as that is an experience I share, unfortunately. I

also

> have back pain, but for me it is low back, not the areas you

> mentioned. So, take what you need, whatever works for you, and

leave

> the rest!

>

> Sometimes (often?!) the technique done at the time of the session

is

> too deep and soreness and pain results later. I am not a therapist

> who believes that if it doesn't hurt it doesn't help. Actually I

find

> that philosophy extrememly dangerous and damaging physically AND

> emotionally to clients. There are many therapists out there who

don't

> understand and are not familiar with the dynamics of FMS. Some even

> have the attitude that they know better than you how you need to be

> treated, as if what may have worked for one client with FMS will

work

> for all.

>

> I urge you to interview your therapist and discover their past

> experience with FMS clients. If they don't have any, aren't

familiar

> with FMS, believe that pain is good progress, or aren't, _at

least_,

> _immediately_ responsive to your communication about needing less

> pressure (during the session, even after talking it all out

> beforehand), RUN, don't walk, out the door!!! At the very least,

this

> is not someone who will help you.

>

> Personally, I don't get much massage for my FMS (or low back pain,

or

> other symptoms/problems) because I often cannot tell if, even

> relatively light, pressure (and btw, there is no benchmark or scale

> of pressure - it is always relative only to your own body and

needs;

> comparison to others is totally useless in this arena) might not

> cause me to be in pain for two-three days post session. This

> experience does not support my body's healing. I don't need to bear

> more pain or a different kind of pain (although some FMS patients

> prefer the latter) than I usually do. When that happens I feel

> compromised and violated emotionally. As we know, it takes alot,

> often, just to keep showing up for life.

>

> I pray that you find a massage therapist who is sensitive and

> receptive to responding to your needs and that you get the care

that

> will support your healing. Massage can be a wonderful support for

> easing pain. Both parties must be willing to continually

communicate,

> especially during the session.

> peace,

> trustinit