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.

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

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

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!
Pete

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

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

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!!