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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
 Posted - 01/24/2006 : 20:20:47
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is recieving massages just to help relax counter indicated to someone with TMS (i am not talking about physical therapy or osteopathy here)? Does it focus too much on the body even if the person is doing psychological therapy ?
thanx
Pat |
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jilly_girl
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2006 : 23:02:03
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i think massages are great! i dont think that working on your TMS means you cant do something that feels wonderful for your body. Its very relaxing and reduced stress. Its good for you, so go for it!
Jill |
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 07:49:50
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thank you very much jilly ! It is kind of hard to draw the line between whats good and whats not for me at the moment ..
Pat
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 08:50:23
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| I disagree. I think that in the beginning stages of TMS - massages will still help you focus on the physical. Especially when the masseur says things like - "yes - you do have knots there etc." - for me, this slowed my recovery. It made me think that rubbing the area would undo the knots - that is not the case. It is the brain that is causing the knots in the first place - I don't think one should introduce massages until one is really really ready - and the TMS pain has gone. Even after I get my nails done in the nail salon and I get a free massage - i still remind myself that it is really nice but won't actually get rid of any pains or aches I have - because those are caused by my brain. The only aches that aren't are the good ones from too much exercise - that sort of satisfying sorenss that comes from doing weights etc. |
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 09:55:15
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this is exactly what I thought first and why I did ask . I am working for a massage therapy school and the temptation to get rid of the pain by taking a deep swedish massage is hard to resist..
anyways thanx
P. |
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tdekany
6 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 09:57:37
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| Well, I am a massage therapist. I can tell you, that it is beneficial regardless of how you look at it - just don't expect it to get rid of your pain caused by your mind. |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 10:55:15
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Tdekany,
How is it beneficial? Before I knew about TMS, I thought it was good because it got rid of pain - now I know differently. I really enjoy massages - feel very good. Is that what you mean by beneficial - you feel relaxed afterwards?
It is great to hear from someone who does it professionally
thanks
suz |
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ralphyde
USA
307 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 11:47:31
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Here's what Dr. Sarno says about massage:
"The principle is that one must renounce any structural explanation either for the pain or its cure, or the symptoms will continue. Manipulation, heat, massage, exercise, and acupuncture all presuppose a physical disorder that can be treated by some physical means. Unless that whole concept is repudiated, the pain and other symptoms continue." p. 81 HBP
Ralph
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 12:12:50
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even if the purpose of the massage is general relaxation rather than 'treatment' ?
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Dave
USA
1864 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 12:57:36
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quote:
Originally posted by FlyByNight
even if the purpose of the massage is general relaxation rather than 'treatment' ?
Someone in your situation (i.e. not fully accepting of the diagnosis and still experiencing symptoms) should probably not go for massage, as Suz said.
Once you're confident in the diagnosis, resuming physical activity, and banishing the fear of injury, then massage is probably fine, provided you truly have the mindset that it is purely for relaxation purposes.
Unfortunately, we don't have control over the unconscious, so what you think is not necessarily what seeps in. |
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 13:08:25
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| ok, it does make 100% sense to me ... :) |
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drziggles
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 13:17:45
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| I would side toward the "ok for massage" camp. I agree that as long as you look at it as being for general pleasure/good feeling, rather than as a treatment for your pain, you're probably ok. If you feel that you "need" the massage in order to relieve your pain/tension, then it's not a great idea... |
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Suz
559 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 13:30:41
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I tell you - the unconscious is very very sneaky. Is the massage that important right now when you are a little early in your recovery? I say - why rock the boat?
It has taken me a year and 8 months to finally make a very good headway with my TMS. I can banish a flare up - and they are not nearly as painful in a few hours now - that is unbelievalbe progress. It has taken me talking to my brain over and over again - and basically ignoring all physical stuff. It has not been as easy journey. I know that massages would have presented themselves as a challenge to me - I didn't need any extra challenges.
I really feel you should hold out - you can have all the massages you want when you have beaten the fear and are barely experiencing pain. |
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 13:43:59
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right,
I was just thinking that it would help me relax a little bit and make me in a good emotional state to talk to my brain and fight properly this TMS thing...
by reading you guys, i feel that my silly unconscious is just telling me '' YESSSssssSSSsss go get a massage, this is EXACTLY what I want to drill you further down the spiral and Ill make you think its just for relaxing , MOUHAHAHA ''
Silly evil unconscious...
I'll beat it...
P. |
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electraglideman
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 13:48:15
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Fly.
You have to look at a massage as just a pleasurable experience just as you would having sex or a good stiff drink. I like em all but I know that none of these things will releive the pain derived from TMS.
My advise would be if you want a massage get one and enjoy it. Just make sure that you completely understand that its not going to help relieve your TMS pain. |
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jilly_girl
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 21:00:17
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seems to me that thinking you shouldnt have a massage while working on TMS is like saying you shouldnt do anything at all that feels good. like no hot baths, no sex  a good margarita, etc. the purpose isnt to punish the body, its to realize that the problem we have isnt physical. to each his own!
Jill |
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wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 22:56:34
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| Sure, I can see the point of those who say massage could send the wrong message to your unconscious, but I personally wouldn't worry about it. I get massages often for the pure relaxation and enjoyment of them. TMS-ers tend to be stressed out people anyway; massage can be a great vacation from that. Forget the rigid rules and enjoy yourself. |
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Jim1999
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2006 : 23:04:09
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Pat,
I tend to agree with the people who are against massage. For me, using an electronic massager and taking a hot shower with a massaging shower head were significant physical treatments. I stopped doing both when I used Dr. Sarno's methods. Even though I've been recovered for six years now, I still avoid massage and hot showers. Once in a while, I catch myself with the water hotter than normal trying to let the heat sink in. There's just a tendency to go back to bad habits that could lead to more TMS.
I know that others see heat and massage as being for pleasure, rather than pain relief, but I would think that they are risky during recovery.
Jim |
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FlyByNight
Canada
209 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2006 : 06:16:33
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I think I belong to your profile and I must be very cautious about it .
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wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 01/26/2006 : 23:34:51
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| Jim--You said "massage is risky during recovery" yet you also say "I've been recovered for six years now...but still avoid massage and hot showers". Seems to be a contradiction here. |
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jilly_girl
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2006 : 06:11:12
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I just cant imagine that simple pleasures like a nice hot shower or a massage would aggravate my TMS. I simply enjoy the relaxing feeling that comes from these things. Not sure how relaxing can hurt anything.
Jill |
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Topic |
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massages
