posted
I've got lyme joint/tendon/muscle/fibro pain. I have a question about exercise. I've asked a few Dr's (non LLMD) about this and they never give me a straight answer. Should I try to exercise my hands and fingers through the pain? I do try to stretch them out and move them around but to actually "work them out" would cause pain. Is this doing damage to the joints or is it just causing pain? I feel like if I knew it wasn't doing damage I might try to exercise them some.
littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
I have no idea. I hope you have found a good LLMD.
But I know that I would NOT want to exercise my hands because it gets to be that much more painful and swollen. Sometimes it's painful for me to open something that has a twist top and I have to ask for help.
posted
Ok, thanks. I will.
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Not if it causes pain. I've tried both routes and pushing it caused much harm. Actually, my guitar instructor (who said STOP) was much wiser about this than some physical therapists who wanted to push through the pain.
There is a middle ground but sometimes, aggressive rest is needed to allow for healing. And, sometimes, no matter what we do it can't work UNTIL LYME IS ADDRESSED - or other tick-borne infection.
MAGNESIUM and FISH OIL are vital, of course.
Gentle hand holding and very gentle massage, soaking in warm water with epson salts, that all can help but it's not good to rip and tear tender and inflamed tissue.
Note: even if gentle, it hurts to much for me to massage my own hands. If that is true for you, work them against objects, gently. See if you can find a LL LMT (massage therapist) - I stress their being lyme literate as I've received massage injuries to my hands by those who are not.
If that LL LMT can teach a few of your friends how to do hand massages on each other, you can have daily massages. Many will do such classes for small groups.
Do a hand work out by soaking in warm water. Move as it feels good, both in and out of the water, many times a day. Even if just swinging your arms, that helps move the hands to some degree.
You might need carpal tunnel braces, at least at night.
Consider getting a SOTA LIGHTWORKS infrared light wand. Get professional massage or acupuncture.
Topic: How to find a LL ND (naturopathic doctor), acupuncturist, etc.
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, an Acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc.
Includes many articles and books on complementary / integrative methods - & RIFE links.
To assess ergonomics, BODY WORK links are also included. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Tai Chi and Qi Gong can be a nice help with the hands, without direct stress. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Is massaging the hands/joints/tendons/muscles helpful to healing? Or is it just to keep it from getting too stiff? I pretty much constantly rub my hand and wrist joints throughout the day. It's like the bones and joints are coated with some painful bacteria or autoimmune damage or something. I'd like to see an x-ray of someones hands with lyme arthritis and see if there's any visible physical damage.
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- For me, the nerves seem damaged and even the slightest wrong movement will nearly strip the nerve for inches - takes days for that to settle down.
It all depends on what exactly is going on. There is so much that an x-ray, or any imaging tool just can't see in lyme. That is why an experienced LLMD is so very important - and that anyone who touch your hands are also very LL and experienced.
Working harder is not necessarily the best thing if there can be nerves or tendons that are damaged. Worker smarter is the goal. And sometimes, that means resting the hands. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just made an appointment with my first true LLMD for 11/24. I'm excited about it. It's a 427 mile drive one way but it's worth it to me if they're truly good, which someone on here says they are.
Keebler, Have you seen any improvement in your nerve/joint/tendon/muscle pains over time?
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic