Hi again murgir

How are you feeling today? Hope that tightness is down a bit... Birchlake had some very good advice, and I'd completely forgotten about the massage bit lol!!!

I do self-massage because I can't really afford to go to one regularly, but it does still help a lot. It has improved my skin, suppleness and the tightness in my legs. At one point I was starting definite contractures (where your muscles and tendons tighten up), but because a good PT told me what it was I was able to tackle it before it got too much worse.

If you go for a massage (pro ones are lovely ) then just make sure you advise them that you have a condition causing you pain, and that touch can be very painful. Ask them to start very gently, and then you can tell them if they can go a bit firmer. Also, make sure the oil they use is natural and only has essential oils in it. Some stuff out there can cause a rash or other aggravation, and we really don't need that!!

I have roughly an hour nearly every morning (if I can) that is just for me. I start by putting on some calming music and stretching out my muscles gently, and then I do a series of Qi Gong exercises and/or "Exercises for those confined to bed" (from a diabetes site lol, excellent for rough days). Then I get out my Monoi miracle oil from the Body Shop and massage each limb in turn, including my hands and feet. All of me smells lovely then . Then I settle myself comfortably and do about 20 minutes of meditation, normally the 'Mindfulness Body Scan'. It always leaving me feeling relaxed and in control. At least for a few minutes lol!

I'm not saying my method is the best or anything, but try to find something you can do for yourself every day that has a calming effect and does you good too. This disease can sometimes make us feel that we are riding an uncontrollable whirlwind, especially when we try to do normal things and keep going like we always have... Relaxing your body and easing stress can do more for pain control than many meds I don't take much in the way of meds because of my work (I need my brain sharp!) and I think my hour saves my bacon on a regular basis. It doesn't stop the pain, but it lessens its impact and I cope better.

Anyway, lol, sorry for the wordiness! Have a good day.

Bram.