QuestionI previously found a wonderful massage therapist (completely by accident/luck) who unfortunately moved to another state due to her husband's job relocation. Because she gave me my first massage and she was so good - I really didn't ask too many questions about what type of massage she was giving me - other than she mentioned that it was light to moderate pressure. I've only been to one other person since she moved and whatever type of massage I received from her only served to make me very sore - although it did not seem like too much pressure at the time.
Can you tell me if there is a specific technique that you would recommend. I read another post of yours that seemed to indicate that it was not good during flares but okay otherwise for lupus patients. I personally found that I was able to relax the very tense muscles due to meds and stress - which was a HUGE benefit to me personally.
Any specific information that I could use to tell the massage therapist would be greatly appreciated. Also any recommendations on a good person in the West Houston / Katy area. Thank you so much!
AnswerThanks for your inquiry, KrisKAPS.
In answer to your question re Lupus, I will reiterate that, "Energy work during may be supportive and helpful during the flareup periods. Circulatory massage is more appropriate during remission, especially as a treatment strategy against the stress that can trigger attacks." I recommend that you advise and guide the massage therapist to start with a light Swedish-pressured technique and gradually apply more pressure within YOUR tolerance level per body section if it varies from section-to-section. Your specific condition may require varying degrees of pressure, but it is the therapist's responsibility to be flexibile according to your needs.
As to recommending a therapist in the West Houston/Katy area, I do not know anyone there specifically, but I can suggest that you check www.amtamassage.org and www.abmp.com, the two primary massage associations, to see if their respective locators list any therapists. As a last resort, if you want to send me an email privately mentioning Allexperts.com, I can try me contacts in a massage therapists discussion group on Yahoo to see if any responds for you.
Hope that helps you.
Michael, LMT
