Alternative Therapies -- Massage?

[Hoosierfan]

Interesting article in our local paper this morning about the benefits of massage therapy; one being increased and better circulation. Wondering if anyone with OH or POTS has tried it regularly and seen some improvement from it. I would imagine along with regular exercise (whatever we can manage in our particular circumstances), it might help. Since I am in the process of tapering off of Florinef, I'd like to employ anything in the arsenal I can to get me feeling ok through the taper and better afterwards so I don't need the Florinef. In fact, I have an appointment with a integrative medicine doc in the next few weeks so I'm really excited about what he might suggest.

[Monstrosity]

I've done both Massage Therapy and Accupuncture. Both have helped from time to time. After my first Accupuncture session I thought I was fixed, and then it slowly came back after a few days. As far as massage goes, yes it helps but its not huge for me. I usually wait for real rough spells and then get a massage to minimize my symptoms.

[cmreber]

I have been seeing a massage therapist regularly since the onset of my POTS. I do find it helps for a few days afterwards, though right afterwards I usually get a headache, increased heart rate and usually nap. I asked her to save some focus for my legs and arms and I do think, at least in the short term, it helps improve circulation. Plus, who doesnt want to get an hour massage regularly? ))

[POTLUCK]

I feel great, symptom free during massage ( which is one of only times ), and I am not symptom free lying down normally. I suspect it is venous return plus being flat plus relaxation. I am dizzy on standing after, drink LOTS of fluid, and try to lie around that evening while feeling better. But it does not last to next day. I like incredibly deep tissue massage.

[Hoosierfan]

Ok, I may give it a try. Accupuncture has been hit or miss for me, and, like you guys, I see the benefits for a day or two and then not much. At $100 a treatment, it's a little pricey for a "maybe it will work." And yes, who doesn't want to get an hour massage regularly!!

[peregrine]

I get massage every 2 weeks for my joint issues; I find it also helps stabilize my mood. Very handy. No visible effect on POTS (despite doing it both before and after), sadly.

[yogini]

It feels fabulous for the moment, but don't think it contributed to my improvement...

[Ashelton80]

I found cranial sacral massage to be helpful like other people mentioned for 2-3 days. I have found Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic to improve symptoms for about a week when I'm bad and 3-4 weeks when I'm doing better. Both relax the muscles at the base of my skull and neck which seem to bring my heart rates down fairly well. I definitely feel like I'm getting better oxygen flow to my brain with both techniques and probably combined would be the most effective. But $100 an hour for massage and $65 an adjustment needing them once a week can definitely add up!

[jpjd59]

My daughter says she actually feels worse after a massage. I couln't figure out why until this morning when I read an article that said that when you get a deep tissue massage that it breaks open mast cells and releases histamine. Not a problem for the general population but if you have a mast cell issue (which we believe she does) then no wonder she doesn't feel good after a massage.

[Ashelton80]

That's interesting jpjd59, I have had horrible reactions to deep tissue massage. I never really understood why? I don't think I have mast cell issues though, but one of my first symptoms of Pots were brought out by a lower leg massage at the nail salon and after a full body deep tissue. I would basically have what felt like a panic attack.

[blueskies]

My daughter says she actually feels worse after a massage. I couln't figure out why until this morning when I read an article that said that when you get a deep tissue massage that it breaks open mast cells and releases histamine. Not a problem for the general population but if you have a mast cell issue (which we believe she does) then no wonder she doesn't feel good after a massage.

Sort of the same thing havppens to me. I had my last massage about 9 years ago -- just before I got really sick -- and the area he had massaged heavily -- my back was bright red and burning afterwards (it took a few hours for the redness/burning feeling to start). Now I look back and think it was pressure urticaria caused by release of histamines. (I have dermographism all the time -- meaning I can deliberately scratch myself and the scratch will appear after a few minutes raised and red). I understand this to be another form of hives. I've got just about every sort of hives you can get.

[Frugalmama]

I go for as many massages as my insurance will cover (every two months or so), and I find it helps short term. Since massage stimulates blood flow to the area massaged, I do find a marked difference after my neck and shoulders are worked on. It's important to find an excellent therapist, though, as some specialize more in relaxation than therapeutic massage.

Jpjd, I am currently being treated for mast cell activation, and I found that it doesn't seem to be the massage that causes issues, but rather the (very natural) scent of the massage oil my therapist uses. I am now booking in for her first appointment of the day so I don't get the smell transferred to me . That being said, pressure can definitely cause mast cell degranulation. I have three small kids, and if any of them sit next/on to me, it causes intense symptoms. Who knew someone could be allergic to snuggling?

[jpjd59]

Blue: interesting that both you and my daughter got sick after massages. Do you have a confirmed mast cell issue? If so, what are you doing for it?

Furgalmama: who knew snuggling could be dangerous to your health (LOL). Glad to hear that massages help you.