QuestionHi. I am a 32 year old male, who has lightheaded and headache problems for over 5 years, and a digestive order for 3. I seem to get pinched nerves in my neck a lot, and with my digestive system working slowly, I feel bloated. I weigh about 205 pounds but I feel fatigued and like I weigh 300 pounds!
Anyhow, I've been going to a chiropractor/massage therapist twice a week for the last few weeks. I resisted this option for years but all doctors have failed, so I am just looking at temporary relief. At first, the massage therapy helped, but recently, I have had muscle spasms and felt worse. Both my hips seem to hurt and pain shoots down my legs at times, but it originates in my lower back. My buttocks are sore as well. It all hurts more with activity. I thought maybe this had to do with the sciatic nerve? Anyhow, let's say I am having a bad day. Can a 1/2 hour massage therapist make it worse if I already am having muscle spasms here and there? Also, my massage therapist has me lay on a flat table, which sometimes causes my lower back to kind of cave in and get tense. One time, a therapist raised the table in the middle so I was leaning over, and it took pressure off my low back. Rather than being at an 180 degree angle I was kind of at an 130 degree angle if that makes sense? Do you think this would make a difference?
Thanks for any help with these questions. I am new with massage therapy and am not sure if this chiropractic/massage therapy thing is the right course.
AnswerHi, Stephen.
I am sorry to hear that you are going through so much pain. I know that lower back/leg pain can be excruciating, especially when you don't know why it is there. In my opinion, massage therapy should be able to help, specifically, myofascial release, neuromuscular and trigger point release, and joint range of motion. I don't know much about this next one, but I've heard many good things about visceral manipulation as well. Have you had MRI's and so on? If not, you may want to talk to your MD about it. You definately should have a pillow or two under your knees at least to take some of the pressure off your lower back when you're receiving massage, face up. Face down, it might help to have both a support under your abdomen/hips and feet as well, to take some pressure off your lower back. Personally, I wouldn't think that a 1/2 hour massage would be enough. Even if you like your chiropractor, you are not obligated to use their massage therapist. If you like the idea of this chiropractic and massage but aren't happy with your providers-look elsewhere, there are plenty around, usually. The tiredness and bloating are what bothers me, mostly. This is not my area of expertise, at all-but it does sound like you need to have it looked into. If your digestive system isn't working then you need to do something about it. If you want to go the route you're currently following, perhaps you could see a nutrition expert, or a chiropractor who is familiar and good with nutrition. If you are bloated, it's possible, from my small knowledge, for pressure to be forced on your back muscles and organs just from constant bloat, contributing to spasm. From what I understand, the tiredness could go along with the pain and the lack of nutrition due to your slow or dysfunctional digestive system. I believe that some practitioners would recommend a system flush (there are various methods, like eating supergreens and yucky drinks-but healthy, for a week or so). I've heard great reviews from people who've done that. I have to end this with a caution-the information I'm giving you regarding anything but massage is purely from what I've seen and heard, not from my expertise on the subject. I do think that it would be very beneficial to address the digestive problems as you deal with the pain and muscle spasm. My heart goes out to you, it is a very frustrating problem to deal with-good luck in your pursuit of health-you sound determined and that will help you, no doubt in my mind. Good luck to you and don't lose faith.
Abby
