Consistent massage therapy for nagging muscles injury?

JohnnyBuddha · 06-28-2007, 09:00 AM

Hey, do you know if it's advisable or beneficial to visit a massage therapist on a regular basis to treat a recurring muscle injury? My upper spine curves to the right, somewhere around my shoulder blades, and I've had what seems to be a spasm, sprain, strain (WTF, one of these) on four separate occasions now in the last 3 years or so. If this is an approach that may help (along with rehabbing the injury and chiropractic care), how often would be advisable? Once a month? I obviously don't want to shell out the money for it if it's not all that helpful, though getting touched by an at least semi-attractive woman who's not my fiance is a huge bonus. Does that make me a john?

Also, would anyone like to see a forum dedicated to Injuries and their treatment? I've suggested it in the "Suggestions" forum, so chime in there if you would and maybe it'll happen.

Girljock · 06-28-2007, 09:58 AM

I get a deep tissue, theraputic massage every week. I've been told more often than that, for a deep tissue is not really helpful. There is a school close to me so it's dirt cheap

I started going about a month ago. I was having tingling, numbness in my arms and fingers that was getting progressively worse and I was losing strength in my grip. Went for an MRI, had blood work...all that crap. Showed nothing.

My sis suggested massage, I went and after two treatments the tingling went away. I had some very large knots in my neck and I guess they were pressing against a nerve. The therapist worked them out over two sessions...and the numbness is completely gone. Andof course I'm going to keep going back just because it feels wonderful...afterwards that is.

If the type of rehab you need is to stregthen muscles around the injury, I'm not sure it would beneficial. Maybe in conjunction with some strength exercises.

Meatsack · 06-28-2007, 11:16 AM

It is totally advisable; I try to go as often as I can, which is never often enough. Here's a nice way to pay for it if you have a Flexible Spending Account through your work: get a prescription from you doctor for massage. Then, you can turn in the receipts and have the cost reimbursed from your tax-free FSA.

Dan's Knuckles · 06-28-2007, 01:07 PM

I don't entirely know what your injury is so I can't say whether or not it's adviseable. Rehab and prehab should be tried first. Also, I'm not sure what a chiropracter can do if you have scoliosis, which it sounds like is what you are attributing the injury to.

As someone who deals with athletic injuries as part of my job; THERE SHOULD NOT BE AN INJURY FORUM. The advice many people give over the internet about injuries is in most cases inappropriate, just plain wrong and in the worst cases dangerous. Most people on this forum don't know you, your medical history, or anything about injuries and how to treat them outside of second hand knowledge and having been injured. Unless you are a trained professional who has done a detailed and thorough exam, you really shouldn't give any advice. I try to give my oppinion based on what people post because so frequently other people post bad information, and the truth is that I probably shouldn't even respond, because the information provided in posts like this one can't be used to discover what the injury is or what needs to be done about it.

gfresh · 06-28-2007, 01:16 PM

Being a massage student and Certified Personal Trainer with alot of post rehab knowledge. I would say yes as much as you can afford. Also you may have flexibility imbalances and a stretching and strengthening program should be a part of your routine. A good therapist should do a postural profile, from there find a good exercise professional. I would highly suggest a CHEK trained professional for exercise programing. Also, a St. Johns Neuromuscular Massage Therapist. Good Luck.

Dan's Knuckles · 06-28-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfresh

Being a massage student and Certified Personal Trainer with alot of post rehab knowledge. I would say yes as much as you can afford. Also you may have flexibility imbalances and a stretching and strengthening program should be a part of your routine. A good therapist should do a postural profile, from there find a good exercise professional. I would highly suggest a CHEK trained professional for exercise programing. Also, a St. Johns Neuromuscular Massage Therapist. Good Luck.

Here's my issue with CHEK training; what good is it going to do someone with a postural issue due to bony abnormality like scoliosis?

JohnnyBuddha · 06-28-2007, 03:37 PM

Interesting responses so far guys, thanks.

And the injury forum: yeah, that makes sense. It's tough though, because there are quite a few threads about injuries and general training ailments, and some people here have much to offer. I can see your point though.

Girljock · 06-28-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan's Knuckles

I don't entirely know what your injury is so I can't say whether or not it's adviseable. Rehab and prehab should be tried first. Also, I'm not sure what a chiropracter can do if you have scoliosis, which it sounds like is what you are attributing the injury to.

As someone who deals with athletic injuries as part of my job; THERE SHOULD NOT BE AN INJURY FORUM. The advice many people give over the internet about injuries is in most cases inappropriate, just plain wrong and in the worst cases dangerous. Most people on this forum don't know you, your medical history, or anything about injuries and how to treat them outside of second hand knowledge and having been injured. Unless you are a trained professional who has done a detailed and thorough exam, you really shouldn't give any advice. I try to give my oppinion based on what people post because so frequently other people post bad information, and the truth is that I probably shouldn't even respond, because the information provided in posts like this one can't be used to discover what the injury is or what needs to be done about it.

the forum is a place to exchange ideas. if someone takes what is on here as canon, I think that is their issue. I'll use my example. I went to the doc, got tested, and was going to undergo more testing. In the meantime, my sis suggested massage, which took care of the problem I was having. Idea exchange, nothing more.