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More pain after massage?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 6/22/2014 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
My physiatrist wanted me to go for massage twice a week for 6 weeks so went twice last week, first visits.

First appt. was Monday and by Tuesday morning my lower back was hurting more and my neck a little more, therapist said that usually happens so not to worry, had another appt Friday, last night I could not sleep for the severe pain in my right leg, it goes from my butt and back of thigh to lower front and top of foot/big toe, the pain had always been in my left leg but now all of a sudden it's in my right one too???

The pain was so bad in my R leg a pain pill did nothing so at 5am took a Tizanidine and Meloxicam and finally fell asleep, they always knock me out.

So now this pain is continuing to move to other areas, always had neck/shoulder/lower back pain though.

MRI of lower back showed disc bulge, left curvature of spine, joint arthropathy and thickening of ligamenta flava and fact joint hypertrophy with narrowing of spinal canal.

No one seems to know what's causing all this pain and now the R leg is so painful.

A chiropractor did know the pain in my left arm is coming from the disc in my neck.

I do see a neurosurgeon next month, both my 2 darn big toes are on fire :(

Just when I think hopefully things will improve something else comes up.

Has anyone had more pain after a massage? The therapist is highly respected with years of experience.

The therapist massaged both legs, arms and neck and I was lying on my stomach which is hard to do, anyone had this problem??

Thank you.
Posted 6/22/2014 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear that you are having so much extra pain. I absolutely LOVE massages and wish I could afford to go right now as I haven't been in a few years.

That being said, the two most critical things are making sure you are getting it done by someone who is EXPERIENCED in spine issues and knows to not put any pressure near the actual spine and focus only on the muscles, not the nerves as going too deep or hitting and irritating the nerves can make things awful.

The other thing is drinking LOTS of water afterwards for the day and the next day...I'm talking 6 to 8 cups or more as your body needs to flush out the toxins so you don't "seize" up.

Did you fill out a medical history form with the massage therapist?

And didn't you have a hole in the table to put your head through so your spine is completely straight? As well as putting pillows (of various sizes) under your legs? Most all professional places have the correct table because without it would cause someone to turn their neck/spine all the way to each side if not. There is a larger pillow that goes underneath your /knees legs when on your back to flatten your spine and then a smaller one when on your stomach.

And sorry if you have this in another thread as I haven't been here for a bit, but you mention a Chiropractor...are you seeing one now? Anyone with actual spine issues should NOT be getting any type of manipulation as it could absolutely cause serious issues, even paralysis! They are only for people who's MRI is perfectly fine and nothing going on.
Posted 6/23/2014 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Before I knew the cause of my neck pain I saw a chiropractor and a massage therapist in his office. It scares me now to think of the potential damage that could have caused. It was that same chiropractor who told me he was not helping me and I needed to see a surgeon, so he did help me that way.

Now after surgery my physical therapist does similar treatments on me with more knowledge of my condition and without hurting me. He has the table and pillows Snowbunny mentioned. Do you have the option of seeing a physical therapist?
Posted 6/23/2014 8:05 AM (GMT 0)
Always be extremely careful with chiropractors and massage therapy until you have a sound diagnosis. You might want to hold off on those visits until you see the Neuro Dr.
Posted 6/23/2014 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Thundercloud, personally unless it was just a very light superficial type massage, I would not go to a massage therapist or a chiropractor period! At least with my spine being the way it is!

With the leg pain your describing and the toes feeling like their on fire,  it sure sounds like nerve impingment to me. Before getting a massage or seeing a chiropractor, I would go to your neurosurgeon appointment first. You might be surprise on what he says about your MRI, they are trained in reading those scans, and often they can point out stuff that is not even evident by a normal doctor, and even sometimes the radiologist reading the scans. 

 Anyway to answer your question, yes I have experienced pain after a massage, and that is why I don't get them! heck one year my (then wife) brought me one of those massage things that go in a chair, or recliner and you lay back on it and it feels like it has marbles going around in circles  massaging your back. Anyway it caused the muscles in my back to spasm really bad, so I took it back! I keep away from all those things. I even have an adjustable bed, with a host of different massage settings for both the upper and and lower parts of the bed. I have used it once and it really was uncomfortable for me so I don't use it!  It came with the bed so I had no option of getting it, if I wanted the adjustable  part!  Anyway I guess I have a problem with that type of thing! LOL

Good Luck to You!

White Beard

 

Posted 6/23/2014 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
WB, this just shows how we are all a bit different as you and I have very similar spines with both our cervical and lumbar issues and I absolutely love deep tissue massage to help every muscle group in my body but as I mentioned, I ONLY go to an experienced masseuse that understands the spine:) I can't wait to save up from my new job to go and get one!! LOL

Thundercloud, hope you update us on how you are doing!
Posted 6/23/2014 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Snowbumny you are right, and that's what makes us all so unique! And also so difficult to treat our pain! 

White Beard

Posted 6/24/2014 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I've been hurt by MT's before.

It's sooooo important to make very sure that they are experienced and familiar with spine issues. The type of massage that is therapeutic for a healthy spine may be of ill benefit or even dangerous to someone with spine issues.

Take no chances. I learned the hard way.







M.
Posted 6/24/2014 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone, the massage therapist did use a table with the hole in it for my head to go through and pillows under my legs.

Saw the physiatrist this morning and he thinks the massage has flared everything up and she was too rough (I did have a lot of pain when she touched various parts of my back)

He wants me to wear a lumbar back brace and I have a prescription for Medrol dose packs.

He thinks this pain in my right leg sounds like a pinched nerve but the MRI isn't showing it, (also mentioned again that MRI's don't show everything cos you're lying on your back) he did say to go back for massage therapy and tell them to go very, very gently and to also always have the same therapist.

Also, to go to the chiropractor and tell them the same thing, go gently, but that still scares me!

I just wish there was another test that can be done so they can see more clearly what's happening, everyone thinks pinched nerves but can't see that on the MRI's, so frustrating.

Going back in to PT made everything worse and now they are trying traction.

Thanks again everyone, really appreciate it and hope everyone is okay today, this pain stuff is a killer!
Posted 6/24/2014 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know why they don't do scans when we're load bearing. I mean, yes, that would be a long time to stand that still,....buuuut,...so much changes!

Sure, if I lay down, the brunt of my pain is lowered. But I don't live my day in decompression fashion or in traction.

This is when I think things get a little dicey....






M.
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