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Sore Hands, Joints, etc
Hello, new to the forum. I am a massage therapist that runs a home business. I average about 14 clients per week and work for myself. I do mostly remedial massage and have been doing this for 10 years.
In the last 3 months the joints in my hands have become increasingly stiff and sore. Not enough to stop me from working but it is uncomfortable. They are most sore in the morning when I wake up everyday.
The other joints in my body also give me a problem with my knees, hip and toes but not to the same extent.
I get regular massages from two different therapists.
I saw the doctor and he believes that it might be rheumatoid arthritis so I am going for a full bone scan later this week. I have seen him a couple of times and he is sending me for the scan as it is the best way to find out one way or the other.
Depending on the results and in case the scan comes back as OK, I was wondering if anyone has any of the same symptoms and what they may do to treat the pain? If it IS rheumatoid arthritis are there therapists that do massage for this ailment and does it relieve the issue long term?
I love doing what I do and I know that the work can be hard on my own body so I am looking for any tips as well on the best to conserve my body so I can prolong my career as well as reduce the likelihood of issues further down the track.
Thanks very much and glad I have found a forum that is centered around what I love to do,
Terri
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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I stretch and do self massage(trigger point work)on myself every evening for at least a half hour, often times longer. Also, when I begin feeling extra sore , I increase my protien intake dramatically. I suppliment with L Glutamine daily. I know my pain is soft tissue pain( muscle, facia, ligament, tendon).
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Permalink Reply by Epiphany Hawkins on
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Thanks for the advice!
Gordon J. Wallis said:I stretch and do self massage(trigger point work)on myself every evening for at least a half hour, often times longer. Also, when I begin feeling extra sore , I increase my protien intake dramatically. I suppliment with L Glutamine daily. I know my pain is soft tissue pain( muscle, facia, ligament, tendon).
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Permalink Reply by Bob Pyle on
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I ice my forearms/hands after every client, even if its just for 5 min. It really works for me!
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Permalink Reply by Dawn Lewis on -
Hi Terri - assuming your bone scan came back normal, it may just be that you need some really good work done. I stretch as well and take care of myself, but I have experience this issue where every joint in my hands just aches. One really good massage and it goes away for literally years. I am in the Denver area, if you are anywhere close I would love to work on you. Otherwise, I would find someone who really knows how to work on hands.
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The scan came back all clear. The doctor is a bit confused as to what it is but is chasing it up with his specialist contacts and see what the next step might be.
I am in Australia Dawn so not really in the area. Will look into someone that knows how to do hands. Do people specialise in that?
Terri
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I would guess that you suffer from soft tissue pain. It would make sense after ten years of doing something over and over. The doctor being a bit confused almost proves it( my guess). Because they know nothing about muscle pain. Which is the primary cause of pain in the world( 85% of all pain). Id start stretching and recieving really good forearm and hand massages. Do self massage. I have a small massage tool that I use on my hands and fingers. Im sure you will find some exquistly sore spots on your hands, fingers and perhaps forearms.
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http://www.mrtherapy.com/muscle_release.html
This guys therapy helps with muscle pain. Its very much like Active Release( same principle). You might want to read his entire site. He doesnt mention the word trigger points. But his therapy trashes trigger points in the forearm and hands.
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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on
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Terri, you might be able to find someone who does Reflexology - they work on the hands too. I'm sure a good reflexology session would eliminate trigger points.
Gordon always has good resources; be sure and follow up on his ideas!! He's been massaging for over 30 years and has a lot of things figured out! :-)
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http://www.softtissuerelease.com/carpal-tunnel-syndrome
In our curent massage text books. It says go see a doctor if you think you might have carpal . But read the above link. One is much better off seeing a good massage therapist. They should say that in the text books? Massage therapists are misguided from the very get go. And not taught real functional technique for pain removal. We are instead taught how to pass tests that are useless and mean very little.
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Gordon, I have read both pages that you have linked us to. Enjoyable reads. I wish there was a workshop soon for the Muscle Release Technique. I think it is ridiculous how much people for surgery just for it to fail in a year or more (in regards tot he carpal tunnel syndrome article).
Gordon J. Wallis said:http://www.softtissuerelease.com/carpal-tunnel-syndrome
In our curent massage text books. It says go see a doctor if you think you might have carpal . But read the above link. One is much better off seeing a good massage therapist. They should say that in the text books? Massage therapists are misguided from the very get go. And not taught real functional technique for pain removal. We are instead taught how to pass tests that are useless and mean very little.
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