Post-Massage Pain: Causes, Recovery, and When to See a Doctor

Question
QUESTION: I had a massage Sept.12 and as soon as I got off the table, felt a little pain in my left buttock and leg.  I did a few errands and the pain continued to intensify until later that night I could not walk.  I called the massage therapist and she told me to do some stretching.  It has been 1 month now, and I still cannot walk unless I use a walker.  The pain in my buttocks and back leg is very intense - I have seen 4 Drs. and they just give me anti-inflammatories, pain killers and muscle relaxants.  They pain is so bad in the morning, I can hardly get up until I take the meds.  and wait an hour.  There has been no improvement, in fact, some days the pain seems even worse.  I am considering seeing an osteopath, as the Drs. are not helping.

ANSWER: Kathy,

I am neither a doctor nor a chiropractor but if it were me, I would go see that osteopath because what you describe sounds like a sciatic nerve pinch.  It is possible for the hip/buttocks muscles to get so tight that they also entrap the sciatic nerve but a massage should have helped that rather than aggravate it.  

The position you were lying in on the table might have contributed, especially if there were any vigorous motions on your back or hips during it, but it is hard to say from your description thus far.  Do you remember if there was a bolster under your ankles when you were lying face down?

Either way, hope you are feeling better now, or at least soon :)

Mikey

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank-you Mikey, for your response.  During the massage, there were no vigorous motions, however, when she did my lower back,I did feel some pain.  There was not a bolster under my ankles, to answer your question.
I did see an osteopath on Oct 14 and this has improved things a lot.  I can now stand straighter without pain and the intensity of pain ia half of what it was.  I intend on seeing one weekly until this is gone.  I'm still using a walker, but with this much improvement after one session with the osteopath I am quite hopeful this will help.
Regards,
Kathy

Answer
It sounds like you are well on your way.  I hope this experience will not sour you on massage, I rather doubt the massage really had much to do with it, but rather gives you a welcome into osteopathic work, which it seems to have done already :)

Best Wishes!