While there has been a lot of talk about MS and massage, there are still many different opinions as to whether it is successful or even safe for the person with this life-altering illness. Part of the problem lies in the fact that two people’s symptoms are not the same and you will need to find a therapist who is aware of this and can tailor their massage therapy technique to your particular needs and symptoms.
There are many different ways that people are affected by MS and massage therapy can be a great way to alleviate many of the symptoms, as well as provide general relaxation so that you can continue to make the most of your day. At times, you may find that deep tissue therapy can help loosen knotted muscles and relieve accompanying pain, while at other times, even the slightest touch can cause a painful reaction.
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
When it comes to MS and massage therapy, the benefits are twofold: First, when applied correctly, a good massage can help alleviate some of the symptoms of MS. Second, massage therapy can help relieve the daily stress that everyday life can cause by allowing you to relax. Simply being able to relax can help reduce the frequency and severity of many of the symptoms of MS.
One of the problems that most MS patients have to deal with is stiffness of the joints, muscles, and tendons. The massage is designed to help increase blood flow to the muscles and support the ligaments; Connective tissues and tendons become much more flexible, so when combined with a stretching and exercise regimen, muscles and joints will remain much more flexible all the time, especially between sessions with your masseuse.
If you suffer from muscle weakness or your muscles have started to atrophy, massage therapy can help restore these muscles by improving blood flow to them. This will help transport vital oxygen and nutrients to these muscles and tissues and help them regain some of their former health and vitality. If spasticity is the problem, massage can be used to relax the muscles and improve circulation, which in turn will reduce the stimulation of the muscles and in doing so will relieve the spasticity.
Are there times when massage is not recommended?
However, there are times when MS and massage therapy are not necessarily a good idea. Most therapists will agree that if you are in an acute exacerbation point, you should probably avoid therapy. Since your body is completely inflamed at this time, massage therapy may make the situation worse rather than better. At this point, you should let the exacerbation run its course and then come back for more treatment when you’re ready.