LymeNet Flash: Massage tomorrow- should I worry?

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Posted by NUTBOBUTT (Member # 7242) on :

I'm having a 30 mn massage tomorrow(Christmas gift). Should I worry about herxing with that? I think I'm already herxing on my abx.

Anybody that's had any experience with massage and lyme would love to hear from you!
Thanks,
Lynette

Posted by snowboarder (Member # 6346) on :

Hi Lynette,

You could but it depends on your critter load. When I was really bad my heart would race when I would got a massage.

Remember to drink plenty of water to flush toxins. Enjoy your massage!

Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :

I ove message but always flare afterwards. Still, I get them from time to time. The get the toxins moving around so drink a lot a water, then drink a lot of water, and then drink some water. A bt bath with 2 cups of epsom salt s good to .... then go to bed.

Eat healthy ..... keep as much toxic stuff out of your boday as you can.

robi

Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :

Enjoy it. You may feel all stirred up after. As the others have said, drink tons of water after and just lay back an relax. The chetes will be mad but the massage benefits will outweigh their little anger dance. It will pass.

Posted by Lymied (Member # 6704) on :

Hi NutBoButt,

I am in Massage Therapy School. We learn our sequences and practice these on each other.

The first couple massages I got up from the table with double vision but it resolved in 5 minutes.

I had a very clear sign this was detox...running to the bathroom afterwards. I have not experienced it since...so I think it will be beneficial but like everyone said it may stir things up.

I would drink a ton of water, take some digestive enzymes on their own without a meal before the massage, and rest afterwards.

Enjoy and post how you did. I am very curious since I do want to work with Lyme patients and there has been very little study of lyme and massage therapy.

I can tell you that it is known to increase killer T cell activity so hopefully it will kick the lyme in the proverbial butt...

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

Lynette,

If you have any pain symptoms, tell the masseuse before the massage. If you normally have muscle pain, you want the massage to be easy on those points. If not, it can become inflamed later and cause severe pain.

Robi's suggestion of a bath is good, particularly with warm water. You may also want to use a heating bad after the massage on any areas you think may get tight.

Posted by BJG (Member # 4723) on :

Hi
I suggest taking a warm epson salt Hydrogen Peroxide bath after the message.

I have had many messages. If your skin is sensitive you can have an energy message which mean they will touch you skin gently.

ENJOY IT, do not worry, you will defeat the pupose.

Good luck,
Peace,
BJG

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

nut,

all excellent advise you have received....

I splure once a month for 1 hr. massages. Make sure if you are extremely sensitive to touch/pain that they massage you with the lightest, pleasurable touch the entire time! Speak up; you're paying for pleasure not pain.

I always drink 3-4 32 oz. of water daily; need to drink even more after a massage for toxin elimination.

I also use my 5 frozen ice packs that I switch every hour on numbing my pain. I hurt the next couple days after but it's worth getting a few KNOTS out of me!

My left thigh/sciatic is terrible & has been the last year....wish I could get rid of this pain permanently. Enjoy.

Bettyg, Iowa

Posted by DR. Wiseass (Member # 6777) on :

Nut...

All excellent advice.

I'm officially a massage therapist, but am not working as that would take away from my lounging around all day with my lyme & bab bugs.

As far as lyme & massage - I don't have the combined experience.

I do know that massage will help you to release toxins - so REALLY push the water afterward.

If you can, since this is your first lyme massage, if at all possible, I would suggest you find someone to drive you & pick you up. After a good session, you can never tell how YOUR body is going to react. Is the session far from home?

Just make sure the dizziness/wooziness subsides before you drive.

ENJOY! I'm jealous, and wondering why I haven't got a massage lately - I should know better! Wait! I DO KNOW better!

Bad, bad DR Wiseass!

Blessings,

------------------
DR. Wiseass - not a real doc - just a real wise ass.
www.twistoflyme.blogspot.com

Posted by hatsnscarfs (Member # 6562) on :

I have a massage every week. It has never made my symptoms worse and usually makes me feel much better.

I always drink lots of water.

Enjoy!
hats

Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :

I look at it this way. If the massage helps to get toxins out of your body then it can be a good thing right?? I know that when I get them, I definately feel sore and a mild herx reaction for a couple days. However, I know its good for my body and its so relaxing to have it done too!! Hope you enjoy!

Nancy

Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :

I think it will help immensely. Lots of good suggestions have been given here.
DaveS

Posted by johnlyme1 (Member # 7343) on :

When I first started treatment my LLMD told me to get some body work. Had tow per week 1 hour each for 3 weeks. When they first started my concetive tissue was filled with crap. They explained it as a kind of fizzy texture under my skin and between muscle tissue. Thier goal was to get some of this moving and they did. They focued on the points on the left rib , spleen points. And along the ribs both front and back. I am very glad that I drank a lot of water and did many baths. This was go intial therepy. It help quite a bit for me. Be each of us is different.

Posted by NUTBOBUTT (Member # 7242) on :

Thanks everyone for replying!

Had my massage yesterday and I have to say that before I went in I felt really good for a change.

I drank a ton of water(I usually do anyway).

I stiffened up last night for a bit and am a bit more stiff this morning but other then that I feel pretty good.

I might have to have that done again soon!

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

I like rolfing, but I dont think it is for everyone.

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

Rolfing...Kara; I'll never forget that painful, not pleasant experience.

It was my 1st massage & I told massager that I had fibromyalgia pain in all 18 of 18 tender points. She then "rolfed" me...I told her she was hurting me, but she proceeded anyway....deep tissue stuff. I did not enjoy 1 second of that 1 hr. for $60.

Kara, it's like you said....doesn't work for everyone; we're each unique.

bettyg

Posted by HiHopes (Member # 7286) on :

This thread is very interesting to me; Last year while being treated for Lyme I saw an acupunturist. I Told him I was being treated for Lyme and he'd had experience with other patients undergoing treatment for Lyme as well.

He did the treatment and I was in horrible, excrucitating pain before I even left the building. A couple hours later I hurt so bad I could hardly move. This lasted for about a week...

I guess this thread explains to me why that happened...Anyone else have acupuncture done and had this happen? Is it possible it may be beneficial to bring the ketes out of hiding for the abx to reach?

Posted by burnbitter (Member # 7088) on :

quote:
Originally posted by bettyg:
She then "rolfed" me...I told her she was hurting me, but she proceeded anyway....deep tissue stuff. I did not enjoy 1 second of that 1 hr. for $60.

Ug rolfing was the worst! I made her stop. That was actually before the fibro/lyme stuff started. It's never felt good! Just really painful.

Thai massage has really been great for me. I'm hyperflexible so it's really great to get the muscles stretched out and relaxed.
It's a little hard to find someone that does it but it works great for me.

Posted by lymiecanuck on :

Hi,

I had a massage that triggered nerve pain in my shoulder a few years ago that had me in severe pain for 3 weeks.

I didn't know I had lyme then and told the therapist about that shoulder before hand and to leave it alone, but didn't think it would be that bad and was only suppose to do that side a little. Be very firm about this, as they often beleive that you need a bad area worked.

Other than that I would feel the tension leave my body, but of course would be sore for a few days etc.

Take Care
Lymiecanuck

Posted by Nukegirl (Member # 6809) on :

You should never let anyone touch you who is not certified as a medical message therapist. They can make things worse if you have a certain condition of Fibromyalgia, arthritis, lyme, etc...
I visit my medical message therapist for usually 25 minutues. Every responds differently but I find that for me I have a small flareup in a certain muscle every time. But it feels wonderful and reduces stress for me normally. Depends on where you are in your treatment phase. Also, duration of the massage can make a difference. Always drink plenty of water also.

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

Nuke,

You are so right.

Also, people have to be careful. We have a very popular Japanese spa here. They do alot more than massage.