I has a light 15 minute chair massage. It was relaxing, felt good that night, but the next two days I was a mess, tingling all over, no sleep, fatigue, twitching muscles.
Has anyone had a similar experience? I wasn't sure if it was herx reaction or a coincidence.
Posted by yourtroubl (Member # 11087) on :
My doc told me yesterday that massage may cause a herx. He talked about lymphatic drainage.
It feels so good though, huh
Posted by Bill ATL (Member # 7817) on :
This is definitely true. This happens to non-lymies as well. It is the result of physically knocking the toxins out of the muscle tissue.
Not sure if technically it is a "herx" but the results seem to be the same.
One of my worst encephalitis-type of headaches was caused by a deep tissue massage.
Drink lots of water!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Be sure to drink A LOT of water after a massage. It will help remove the toxins.
Posted by nikkib (Member # 10016) on :
I had exactly the same symptoms after a 1 hour light massage. I felt like my nerves were on fire and terrible muscle twitching.
Posted by SouthernCO (Member # 11167) on :
The only reason I'm still alive after 12 years of these pain symptoms is because of the treatments I receive from my wife who is a CNMT/LMT (certified neuromuscular therapist/licensed massage therapist).
After she tried cranial-sacral therapy two nights ago, I woke up the next morning with less knee pain than I can remember. That was the first time she has tried it on me.
Posted by Lymied (Member # 6704) on :
Hi there,
Massage causes a massive onslaught of toxins and any other things in the tissues to be released. Basically massage manipulates the tissues in many ways and then causes an increase in circulation which carries these rapidly through the body.
I am an LMBT (Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist) - also on my way to becoming Vodder Certified in Manual Lymph Drainage and Upledger Certified as a CranioSacral Therapist.
I knew I wanted to become a LMBT and CST before I got sick. Then we moved and I got so ill I couldn't function and had to put massage school off a semester...that was heartbreaking considering I still wasn't sure of my diagnosis until two months after declining school for a semester...
Anyway, I actually had double vision after the first two sessions in school where literally we were only working for ten minutes on the backs of the legs...I thought I was going to have to quit school and just forget it all...I was still on heavy antibiotic therapy at that point.
My instructor assured me that even those people without any health challenges experience dizziness, headache, double vision, and other issues when they have massage for the first time in a long time.
I can tell you after receiving massage in school at least an hour a week for eight months I really believe it is one of the keys that got me firmly planted on my path of healing.
CranioSacral Therapy is nice because it deals with gently balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic areas of the body which are so often out of wack with tick borne illness sufferers.
As well, Manual Lymph Drainage is a great modality if you find someone who is licensed and experienced to support the lymph system in discharging the toxins in the body. It is a very light pressure that is used...almost like a whisper to the skin.
While many say the massage increases lymph drainage I actually learned in my class that it temporarily shuts down the lymph system because it causes the little valves in the lymph system, that are only controlled by fluid pressure in the body, to spasm.
So MLD is probably best first and then try massage but make it short sessions at first until you get the toxins flushed out.
It is amazing how effective bodywork is for so many issues. I love being in a field where there is something new to learn everyday and how touch can be incorporated to help facilitate the body to move towards wellness.
Take care and don't give up on massage. Next time take a sea salt bath when you get home or an epsom salt/peroxide bath and soak. That will help.