RSD and Massage
 

I'm wondering about what kind of experiences you have had with Massage. I am a massage therapist in Washington State. I had never heard of RSD until a patient called and wanted a massage to reduce her Migraine. As a good therapist I turned to the internet to learn as much as I could about the condition and how massage interacted with it.

I found information that said it was quite effective and just keep the massage as relaxing as possible and to avoid heat or ice. As always once I do my home work and learn what works I have several more patients with the same condition. Presently I have 3 patients who swear that their massages have been a life saver. I have been sticking to a medium to light relaxing massage and just following the patients feelings of when to treat and how deep. So far both patients have been coming in weekly.

I am wondering what more of you patient have to say and what experiences you have had. Since this has been helpfull for my patients maybe it will give the rest of you guys some relief. At this point I can't give any thoughts about the long term effects but with other auto imune diseases massage is quite effective.

Good luck
Pete

I can't stand to be touched in any way... light, medium, or hard touches kill.

I have a good friend who is a state licensed massage therapist and as much as she wants to help me... she says there is no way that I could handle a massage and I agree with her.

My voice is but one and I'm sure you will find some that can handle a massage and some, like me, that can not.

I wish you the best.
:)
Abbie

Hey Pete,

I've had RSD for 25+ years.
And, massage is rarely indicated, except for one kind that I'm aware of.
Alexander Technique. It really worked well! (Have you heard of that?)
It's very soft and gentle, and concentrates on "extricating any pent up energies from the spine, on out, through the extremities. (It has admittedly been a long time since I've had it done). So, feel free to add to or update my memory!

Soft Tai Chi kind of stuff.

(a "Vigorous Rub Down" kind of massage, is the worst, it can start all the bad pain to flare, so, be careful).

Migraine responds really well to a neck massage and a soft chiropractic adjustment, imho.

Good Luck to ya,

Pete
Asb

No Massage for ME, Thank You...air hurts me..hubby "tip toes" when near me..
sighs:(

I think RSD/CRPS is a "heartless" disease..took away my active self, and also negates "touch" in my life,as well.:(
:grouphug:
Dew

Hi Pete,
First, I think it's great that you are doing some research on how massage affects RSD. your curiousity and care reflects that you are a conscientious massage therapist.

Often, when I have tried to massage my own foot, ankle, and lower limb where the RSD is, it can cause a flare of burning pain...i think if the massage is vigorous enough it makes the nerves "angry....."
I have noticed, though, that when i massage very gently in an upward motion it helps somewhat with the swelling and doesn't flare up the pain as much...
Something important to note, though, is never ice an RSD area, such as a limb, on the back, etc. as this further constricts the vessels and is not a good treatment for RSD.
I hope this helps!

Hope4thebest

Hi Pete,

It is very nice of you to research RSD to try and help your patients - not many other doctors or health proffesionals would do that unfortunately!!!

I was 12 when I developed RSD, 2 years ago. It started in my left leg and then spread to include both of my arms within a matter of a few months.

Just after I was diagnosed with RSD, I developed severe swelling in my leg overnight. It was so bad that my doctor thought I had either a blood clot or compartment syndrome so sent me for tests.

The tests showed that I had severe muscle inflammation but my doctor said it was probably from the RSD and told me it was probably the worse case of swelling and RSD he had seen - nice to hear, huh?!

I was sent to Physical Therapy and the PTs did lymph drainage / massage to see if that would help with any of the swelling.

It didn't unfortunately and I was in tears during that session as I couldn't tolerate it.

A few months later, I still had the swelling and my Doctor arranged to make a cast for my leg to try and correct the dystonia I have as a complication of the RSD.

I was put under general anaesthetic and the PTs suggested trying the massage therapy whilst I was asleep to see if that would help with the swelling.

When I awoke from the procedure, I was in quite a lot of pain and the swelling still hadn't improved. My PTs were shocked that it didn't help and didn't know what else to try.

I still have swelling now and it changed from one day to the next. Sometimes it is really bad and other times, it isn't too bad.

I'm glad your patients are getting relief from your massages - thats great! :) I guess like everything with RSD, what helps one person wont work for another unfortunately.

I wish you the best of luck and hope your patients continue to get relief!

Alison

Hi Pete,
I developed RSD following surgery, but didn't get diagnosed for 4 years. My shoulder froze up and was sent to physical therapy. Very painful, but after 100 treatments got the use of my shoulder-arm back. I decided on my own to go to massage therapist just prior to physical therapy, to soften up shoulder, so my advancement would go faster. I'm glad I did. The RSD moved to other shoulder and I again had pt and massagae therapy.
Now have full body, and have continued with massage therapy,swimming, stretching, anything to keep mobile. It does help. I especially liked the lymph glands in my sinus area, helped drainage, and headaches. Thank you for asking and researching. What part of Washington State. My in-laws live in Port Angeles, and I have good friends in Bellingham. Sincerely, loretta

Massage
 

Hi
My RSD started 2 years ago when I had my left hand crushed and degloved at work. the first year I did medication, OT, Ganglien blocks, surgery and many other Treatments. My boss who is a great guy offered to pay for any treatments WC would not pay for. One of the thinks he suggested was massage. It has helped me as much as any thing I have tried she does a combination of different kinds one of which is lymph drainage. She did a lot of reading and most of my RSD is in my hand wrist and some in my arm she is very gentle on the affected areas. Some weeks she never touches my hand but she has managed to keep my arm and shoulder from locking up. It is the one thing I look forward to from week to week. I still use my medication and they also help some.

Woody

No way for me. I don't even allow doctors to touch my area or even from the knee down. I know everyone is different though. I remember when I first developed this I went to PT and he did something similar and it sent me into a flare up for weeks. I think for me I am trying to do light touch on myself and for very short times.

Hello Pete,

RSD/CRPS acts differently for all of us. Treatments that work for some of us may not work for others. No two people have the same nervous system thus the reason for how severe our case may be.

I have have full body RSD with some organ involment (9 years now). I have had many massages. Your comment about following the patients feelings is perfect. It shows you are good at your job and you have your patients needs in mind. I know by how I feel if I can tolerate the touch of a therapist. For example today my pain is awful and it's deep muscle pain and my skin burns, the shower will hurt today so it wouldn't be a good for a massage. When this flair up settles down it would be great to have a massage. It's like this from the stress I have had this week. Stress and anxiety are pain agrivators for those of us with RSD.

My therapist says over and over tell me if this is too hard. She is quick to remind me not to be afraid to tell her when it hurts. RSD is not a no pain no gain condition when talking about PT or massage. There is hot RSD and cold RSD. I have hot RSD and use ice packs to put out the flames. Some people can't tolerate ice and use heat.

For me keeping the massage as relaxing as possible is key.
Thanks, for taking the time to research RSD on behalf of your clients.
Take care,
Sherrie

Problems after massage
 

Hi I try to take massage to increase circulation. However if I make it thorugh a light swedish massage on the areas i can stand, never feet, I pay dearly after with severe flare - severe, I still try every three to 4 months, but honestly I donat know if it is worth it. cz

I take skelaxin muscle relaxer before I go and I don't go if it's a bad pain day. Then I try and keep my day relaxing for the rest of the day to help avoid additional pain if I can.
Sorry, it doesnt work for you like you would like. Take care and I hope this finds you having a managed pain day.
Sherrie

Has
Mr Pete been back?
To comment or thank us for our thoughts?

I notice that, that someone will come in, post once or twice, and
Phhhhhh!
They're gone.

Oh well.

I hope we helped someone......


Pete

Massage, just this past month, has become an almost decadent part of my arsenal.

The most difficult part was finding a therapeutic, non-spa like setting. Much better at loosening some muscles, albeit temporarily, than any muscle relaxer taken thus far.

I am reading
 

UOTE=AintSoBad;546085]Has


Mr Pete been back?
To comment or thank us for our thoughts?

I notice that, that someone will come in, post once or twice, and
Phhhhhh!
They're gone.

Oh well.

I hope we helped someone......


Pete[/QUOTE]

I have been reading your notes! I just had trouble logging back in. Thanks for all that you have written. I do see a wide variety of answers. It appears I have been the very best by letting the patient tell me when to get worked on. Letting these patient cancel anytime. (Not a good business practice but fits their need). Good luck to all of you!!

Hot and Cold RSD?
 

CZZZ74 - Of all the things I have read I find your comments the most interesting. A Hot RSD and A Cold RSD. This may be the most important piece of information I have read. Is their 2 different diseases that have many common things but 1 area that vary greatly in. I had read to stay away from both hot and cold. But you say that Ice works with you when you are having a hot episode and others have cold episodes were heat helps. I think this may be an area that needs to be discussed more.

Stay away from (massage techniques)
 

I would just say this. Massage Techniques - In most cases are created by massage therapist that are not able to make a living taking care of people because they just aren't good enough at what they do. So they invent a new technique. Yes I have heard of the Alexander Technique. Though in practice if you went to 10 massage therapist using the alexander technique you would get 10 vary different massages.

So far I have stayed very light with my massage for my RSD patients. I always listen to the patient and work within the boundries they set and I agree with my RSD patients a vigorous rub may cause them more harm than good, But woking very light and then slowly working harder listen and watching for any signs of agitation and at the slightest sign back off and working lighter seems to work. I've been using just the basic swedish massage technique that is the basis behind almost all techniques.

I would tell you that if you listen to your body and get a light massage when its quiet you may get positive results may patients have said their flare ups since getting massages have decreased.

In all of my patients I also notice. They are depressed and worried about the future. I think this would be a natural response. I think that part of their results comes from the up lifting conversations that we have. As I have been reading through you descriptions and post it seems very clear to me that modern medicine seems to be letting you down and giving each and everyone of you depressing out look. I call this VooDoo medicine. Be carefull not to believe all the bad news but listen to it.

Massag up is Best!
 

I am glad to hear your thoughts. They seem to fit with my patients. I think the light massage helps because it is relaxing and they seem to say their symptoms are much with increased stress.

When doing massage in an upward direction as you stated you are moving the blood towards the heart. With all massage you should be pushing towards the heart. You see the veins have gates and if you push away from the heart you can damage the gates which would harm your circulation and cause vericouse veins. Keep up the light massage when your body allows some of the sources I have been reading say that massage can back some down from stage 3 to 1. This is the most encouraging news I have heard. Another important link seems to be getting plenty of sleep. Maybe sleeps suddies would be helpful.
Pete

Types of RSD
 

Everything I have read from modern medical journals about RSD states to stay away from both HOT and Cold

Thought, In one of the replys someone stated they had "Hot RSD" they said that their are 2 types Hot and Cold. Also stated with the "hot" cold helps and with the "cold" hot heat helps. Don't know but if they are correct sounds knowing this would help a lot. Becarefull and try things slowly and just be aware that modern medicine is coming up with cures at a faster and faster pace. Just realize if you have little or no hope today tomorrow their maybe be plenty of hope. Keep your chin up and smile when if your feeling down.
Pete

I'm not in Massage for recognition
 

I would rather not say were I am. The massage community is quite small and have more business than I need. This is just a great way to help those I am helping better. I am so glad to hear your shoulders are doing so well. Most shoulder injuries are easy but I can't imagine it being easy when the patient has RSD!
Keep smiling it helps keep the stress and depression away!:wink:
Pete

I'm glad to hear your doing light massage yourself. All PT's and Massage Therapist are not created equal. As with most everything in life only about 20 percent are good and 80percent need to move on to another line of work.
Pete

Thank you so very much for your comments. This is the first I have heard of "Hot RSD and Cold RSD" Everything I read says to stay away from both Hot and Cold. This sounds like there are 2 different diseases that are quite close in nature. With so many different known Auto Imune Diseases the doctors have a terrible time coming up with a corect diagnosis. This may explain the variety of RSD. I will mention the HOT and Cold to my patients.
Pete

I would be carefull about taking pain killers or muscle relaxers before getting a massage. The pain you experience is body's warning. If you take pain killesr or muscle relaxers your body can't give you the messages that it needs to and you may allow the therapist to work harder on you than you should.
Pete

Light seems to be the key
 

I am glad to hear your doing some work yourself. From others thoughts light touch seems to be the key. Light is a relative terms though. Just stay under the pain thresh hold. Some minor pain in small doses is ok but if it causes your muscles to tighten then its to hard.

MrPete

Keeping joints moving Helps!
 

So far my patients have had the same type of experience you have. They say the slow light range of motion movements with very lite stretches at the end feels seems to be working for my patients.