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Degenerative Disk Disease

I don't know where to turn so i thought here is a good place. Been a massage therapist since 06 whom primarily works in deep tissue. After the marathon or massages for the holiday thought I would treat myself to a massage. After the massage I felt like crap and both my arms were going numb. My left arm has been going numb in my hand and forearm since about March. Been getting twice a month chiro adjustments.

Long story short after my reeval today the chiro informed me I have the beginning stages of cervical degenerative disk disease in my C4&5. She is recommending that I really cut back or just stop massage therapy all together. My hand on the left side only goes number after doing a massage or after sleeping on my left side for 8 hours a night. Do you think the chiro is right that I should give up a career I have fought so much to have if it's only going to further injure myself?

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen M. Martin on January 10, 2012 at 6:59pm

Hi Stephanie,

I've been a CMT since '03 and have a private practice in addition to doing occasional freelance for a chiropracter. I've also been a nurse for 37 years and I have a very good understanding of A & P. Last March, after exhausting every other available option, I resorted to massive-Big-Kahuna-titanium rod-stableizing lumbar fusion and spinal cord decompression. I'd done chiropractic, OMT, DRS, aqua-therapy, physical therapy, massage, meditation, rest, yoga, pilates, you name it. Bottom line is that degenerative disc disease is a progressive, genetically pre-disposed problem that has no single good solution. What I can recommend (personally and professionally) is that proper body mechanics is ESSENTIAL! Learn to sleep on your back with a proper pillow (still hate this solution.) Be constantly conscious of proper table height, stance, and body positioning when you are not doing nmassage too. Stretching between clients and at day's end with a little self un-winding thrown in will also help. Look at some of the DVD's out there on doing massage using your body weight and hands-free massage. You may need to back off your schedule a bit to heal yourself. If you don't you will not be able to help others. I'm not sure your chiropractic care is the best option right now. Daniel's self stretching technique is very good advice for what you're describing! Look for a massage therapist who can read your body and provide therapeutic massage accordingly. Good luck with your practice and with becoming whole again.