Rheumatoid Arthritis, as a condition treatable with massage
Web MD and any professional medical source lists the causes of rheumatoid arthritis as unknown and states also that there may be a genetic component. In all cases of RA that I have ever come across, there is one huge similarity that gives me reason to think that the medical community is trying to identify an elephant under a microscope.
Lack of flexability and space in the effected joints.

Henry, I totally feel your pain. Not to sound like an ingrate, but I get very weary of folks who suggest my disease is curable with diet or some sort of detox program. It's managable with diet, but it doesn't cure the damage going on in the joints. (I can tell a huge difference when I eat something I shouldn't) A full massage session actually aggravates the joints, even though it feels good at the time. I teach at a massage school. Here's an example: Last week we worked on knees. I had a student practice on me and she is excellent in skills and technique. A few hours later, my knee swelled to the size of a melon and I got no sleep. I did LD to my knee, but the swelling didn't go down until the next afternoon. Very frustrating indeed.

I have scleroderma and lupus. Both are bad ass cousins to RA. When I was first diagnosed I was given less than a year to live...that was 26 years ago. I have been thru a heart attack, 3 rounds of chemo and numerous ER visits. When I applied to massage school they asked, because of my crooked fingers, if I would be able to perform massage. I said, "Watch me." I've been doing it for 9 years.

I embrace my pain. It reminds me that I am alive and that I should live each day as if it is my first and my last. Even as winter approaches I am looking forward to snowshoeing even as I look forward to hiking when summer comes a calling. I used to be into cycling (bicycle) but after being hit by a car twice (the 2nd one having resulted in a rebuilt left arm..75% useage ) I retired from that endeavor.

Sure, I have days where I can't breathe well...due to lung involvement. Sure, there are days when I can barely move....such as when a storm is approaching. Sure there are days when my stomach goes on strike. But I smile, laugh and carry on. During one of my chemo rounds I sat across from another patient who kept us all laughing and in good spirits. What a remarkable person she was. Hard to believe she was only 8 years old. I vowed then that I would try my damndest to never complain about my lot in life again. Doesn't always work, but usually does.

I have short and long term goals. Every day I look forward to paper and coffee in the morning and a martini and tv or reading with my wife at nite. I look forward to seeing my grandkids. I look forward to work cause I love massage. I look forward to whatever life bring me.

Hopefully we can all find that place where we can accept what we have been given and make it the best way we can. As NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano ( deceased...cancer ) once said, "Never give up. Never ever give up."

Before being diagnosed with RA, I was told I had lupus!! I've never been so happy to be told "No, you have RA" instead. talk about your weird blessings! I try to use my pain as a way to reach my clients. Since becoming an LMT, I have ended up specializing in chronic pain and lo-and-behold four years later, I was diagnosed with such. I think my intuition was years ahead of me. I hope to be like you, Choice, and be still doing massages and laugh about the times I've been told to 'retire.'
Choice, your story is inspirational!

Hi Kelly
I'm not here to tell you what to do, but to make a suggestion I have also rec'd and tried due to Chronic pain from a "holistic MD". Lots of research showing that inflammatory type of conditions benefit from high doses of Omega's (Good source and quality). 4,000 units a day minimum is what I take.

He also told me that if it was an Rx doctors would be prescribing everyone D3 at 10,000 mg daily. FYI!

I deal with chronic back pain. Spondylothesis. I was told by an orthopedic surgeon that if i didn't get surgery I would not be able to walk.
Well, the proof is in the pudding. I walk, work and do many things I wasn't able to do a few years ago. I do have to pace myself and don't crank massages out, but I feel very fortunate that I no longer live with pain on a daily basis.

Interesting. In 1990 I had a diagnosis of Spondylothesis. I went thru all of the available treatments back then, incl. massage. After lots of research, I went for the surgery. I had L5 fused, using my hip bone vs. metal and had a laminectomy. I was able to return to cycling (bicycle) and riding 100 mile rides. Today, after 19 years,I have no problems I ski, snowshoe and hike quite vigorously. Just another side of the story.

Gloria, I take about 1000 Omega 3 a day and 1000 vitamin D. I can tell when I forget to take them! I'll try boosting them up and see what that does, especially since it's cold and wet where I live now and the sun only makes a guest appearance!
I am a huge advocate for massage therapy, and living healthy. I try to get work once a week. I keep a food diary to track anything that causes me to flare. Right now, I am on Orencia, a once a month chemo infusion. It has been a Godsend. My other secret weapon is oatstraw infusions, a tea full of vitamin Bs and iron that I drink every afternoon. I teach at a massage school, so I've sort of worked this tea ritual into closing my classes. ::LOL::
What tricks and treats do you all have? Let's share and motivate each other!

Hey Susan, I personally take ibuprophen when inflammation gets too much. I love hot baths in Epson salts. I get accupuncture once a week and I can really tell when I miss a session! I just ordered some cinnamon and tumeric capsules. Another LMT who has Lupus swears by them, so I'll let you know how they work.

Hate to break the epson salts myth, but there is no evidence that they work. It's one of the many massage myths that keep getting handed down. A hot bath will work just as well. With my lupus and scleroderma, I take Lyrica at nite before bed. It has made a nice difference in the pain and lets me sleep. There is prob some residual effect during the day, but most of the pain was at nite. I also take a lortab during the day if my body is really screaming at me. I'm still able to work just fine. To me it's about quality of life. Funny thing, I can tell when a major storm is approaching from about a day out....lots of joint pain and fatigue. As soon it rolls in, everything subsides. I have found that keeping active keeps the joints feeling better. Becoming sedentary just makes things worse. As hard as it is sometimes...keep moving.

Oh Man! You just ruined my excuse to buy the fancy smell good salts! :-) Don't tell my husband.
I tried Lyrica, but had an allergic reaction. I get the Orencia infusion once a month and it has really helped but I think it's only for people who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Some doctors will use it for fibro pain, others do not.
I can also tell the weather and barometric pressure. The weatherman will say "Sunny tomorrow" and I'll be like, "Nope. Rain coming in."
I like to keep Dory's song from "Finding Nemo" in my head..."Just keep swiming, just keep swimming..."

Kelly, I won't tell. The fancy smell good salts are good for the soul if nothing else. Let him spoil you.
Sorry about the Lyrica. it has really helped me...and no side effects.
I think my back up job should be weatherman. I'm a whole lot more accurate than they are.
My 4 year old grandson lives "Finding Nemo" Now that song is going to be with me the rest of the day :)

One of the most common causes of joint pain is when muscles aren't balanced around a joint (smashing your elbow or knee does a good job of causing joint pain too as I found out today). To stretch only the shortened muscles on a side or sides of a joint can cause instant reduction of inflammation and reduce pain for several days to several weeks. Afterward regular personal maintenance and occasional (monthly at least) assisted stretching can extend the effects to long-term pain relief.

You are so right Lynne! I also teach sports massage and just lectured my students on this again today. My current class is full of young people, like under the age of 30. All of them are healthy and athletic. It may be a few years before they actually "get it". ::LOL::

Classes available nationwide, check www.deepfeet.com for one near you

I'm inspired by all the stories. When I was in school my instructors were worried that I would not be able to handle being a massage therapist due to the fact that I have Fibromyalgia. In fact, fibro is what led me to massage. After receiving massage and feeling the difference it made in my life I wanted to give some relief to others who also live in pain. Thanks for starting this forum, its nice to know I'm not alone.

I have a student who is currently enrolled who was basically 'told' by the other schools in the area not to pursue a massage career because she has Lupus. On the one hand, I'm surprised they didn't just take her money and tell her this after she was in the program. On the other hand, many of us come from "the wounded healer' past, so why would they discriminate her from any other potential student.

I have been dealing with horrible migraines due to past abuse & also heavy monthly's. I take medication daily for all & it affects me so much that there are days I cant see anyone. It affects my business & my family financially. Does anyone know anything else I can try besides the pain medication?

I have C3-4 dics degeneration and C5-6 disc with a posterior protrusion that is effecting my right hand (due to an MVA in 2001). I have burning like my fingers have a sun burn. I have neuropathy and hypertonic muscles on the left side (shoulder and neck). I also suffer from swallowing problems and pain in pec minor and 1st rib & 10th rib protrusion. I have swelling in my fingers and my wrist is now starting to be painfull - making massage difficult.
My spine doctor & pain doctor both are suggeting anterior fusion of both levels. This would cause me to take 6 weeks off and have a neck brace. I have tried PT and receive massage weekly to aid with the pain with little change. I am an instructor and clinical supervisor and do a little massage currently. I am very worried of the long term effects of this type of fusion would have on my ability to do massage.
I have put this off for 8 years but the pain has increased in the last 6 months and the Lyrica and pain meds are not helping.

Any suggestions, feedback or ideas would be great: I have to do something because what I am doing currently is not helping and I am getting worse. I love massage and I do not want to give up this part of my life.

Angela, I am so sorry about your disc degeneration. That royally sucks! Have you tried any accupuncture? I bought a hand held electric accupuncture type stimulator on ebay. I keep it in my purse. It rocks. I've also been using the It Works wraps and gel--not for weight loss--but because they take down my inflamation. Four wraps are $50 and I cut them up and get more use out of them. I also take sulindac, which is a prescription anti-inflammatory. It helps. My problem is severe anemia and fatigue. I slept most of the weekend away.
I'd really get a second opinion about fusion surgery. Do they know what is causing the degeneration? Is it autoimmune? Or is it due to an injury that is snowballing the effect?