RSD Alert

www.rsdalert.co.uk

Warning and encouraging

We are grateful to Louise, who provides the answers for this section. Massage Therapy is one of many treaments and medications used to help RSD patients. To read about alternatives visit Treatments on RSD Alert and/or Drugs at RSD Alert

RSD Alert is a voluntary organisation publishing RSD/CRPS information provided on-line. However expert the person may be who answers your questions, it is no substitute for a proper consultation with your own medical advisor.

If you have a question about Massage Therapy click the Question button to send an email. Mention your name and which Country & State you live in.

For general enquiries and contact write to one of the RSD Alert Team - Click the Contact button to see the Team.

Custom Search

Massage Therapy

Question

I read Louise's article about focusing on the whole body not just the area affected by RSD. My physical therapy is in the form of myofacial release and has mainly focused on both of my arms because the the way the prescription is written and because workers comp doesn't see that the whole body is a unit. I am looking for information to share with my workers comp pain management specialist so that I can request massage therapy. My medications affect the "well being" of my thought processes, mood, etc. and do not do much for the pain. I would like to try a more natural approach to my healing process. Thanks, Teri

Answer

I appreciate and understand fully how prescriptions are written. However, even though the writing may direct the therapist to a
specific area, i.e. both your arms, they are connected to a much bigger picture, which is you as a "whole" person. To my knowledge, nothing specifies that your w/c pain specialist cannot work with some gentle therapeutic massage strokes to your upper thoracic, and cervical region at the same time as being attentive to the prescription. When I have been asked by students, "what do I do with a prescription?" I look at what the requests are and then individualize the treatment to focus on area(s) of need/discomfort and also work in ways to relax the nervous system. I encompass deep breathing, meditation and soft music as part of calming the environment, which in turn calms the mind. (body and spirit)
Something to think about and share, pain which is a form of stress, increases cortisol levels; anxiety increases, sleep is disturbed - you just don't relax. When the body is in a state of "stress" it is out of balance and has difficulty in healing.
I work with cancer patients undergoing all sorts of treatment, from chemotherapy, to bone marrow transplantation. These patients are fatigued, nauseated and have increased pain etc. however the point I am making is gentle therapeutic massage to the body, non-specific to an area of pain,decreases emotional distress, fatigue, nausea and pain. (see Ahles TA, Ruckdeschel JC, Blanchard EB. Cancer-related pain: II. Assessment with visual analogue scales. J Psychosom Res 1984;38:963-974.)
These results alone are encouraging for cancer patients and suggest a useful technique for enhancing the quality of life of patients that are undergoing an extremely physically and psychologically stressful treatment.
So, if it can work and show great promise for cancer patients, just think what it could do for RSD!
Talk with your w/c pain specialist and express your concerns for looking at you as a "whole" person vs. just your arms and maybe, if he or she isn't receptive, search out someone else. Don't ever be afraid to ask. Be an advocate for yourself.

www.rsdalert.org
www.rsdalert.co.uk
to send a question click QUESTION for general correspondence click CONTACT