Therapeutic massage might assist alleviate some signs of a number of sclerosis (MS). Nevertheless, it may possibly pose a danger for some people. It’s a good suggestion to seek the advice of a physician earlier than starting therapeutic massage remedy. A number of sclerosis (MS) is a continual inflammatory auto-immune illness that causes the destruction of the protecting myelin sheath surrounding the nerves. This may result in a variety of signs, together with ache, muscle spasms, mobility issues, and fatigue. Therapeutic massage might assist to alleviate a few of these signs. This text outlines the various kinds of therapeutic massage for MS, together with their advantages, dangers, and unwanted effects. We additionally present tips about find out how to discover a therapeutic massage therapist and record some inquiries to ask a physician earlier than receiving therapeutic massage remedy.
Sorts of therapeutic massage for MS Share on Pinterest microgen/Getty Photographs The Nationwide A number of Sclerosis Society (NMSS) notes that therapeutic massage might assist to forestall or alleviate sure signs of a number of sclerosis (MS), together with ache and spasticity. One standard type of therapeutic massage in the US that could be useful is Swedish therapeutic massage, which mixes the next conventional therapeutic massage strategies: Effleurage: Effleurage includes lengthy, gliding therapeutic massage strokes.
Effleurage includes lengthy, gliding therapeutic massage strokes. Petrissage: Petrissage includes kneading and compression mixed with mild lifting and squeezing of the pores and skin.
Petrissage includes kneading and compression mixed with mild lifting and squeezing of the pores and skin. Vibration: Vibration is a fantastic, speedy, shaking motion.
Vibration is a fantastic, speedy, shaking motion. Friction: Friction is created by way of deep round actions utilizing the thumbs or fingertips.
Friction is created by way of deep round actions utilizing the thumbs or fingertips. Tapotement: Tapotement includes quickly putting or tapping the muscular tissues utilizing alternate fingers.
Tapotement includes quickly putting or tapping the muscular tissues utilizing alternate fingers. Reiki: Reiki is another remedy wherein the practitioner makes use of their fingers to information the stream of power by the physique to assist promote therapeutic.
Different kinds of physique work remedy Therapeutic massage is a sort of bodywork remedy. These are hands-on therapies that purpose to enhance the construction and performance of the physique and enhance general well-being. Another kinds of bodywork remedy which will profit people dwelling with MS embody: Acupressure: This method includes utilizing the fingers to use strain to totally different strain factors within the physique.
This method includes utilizing the fingers to use strain to totally different strain factors within the physique. Reflexology: Reflexology is much like acupressure in that it includes making use of strain to designated areas of the physique. Nevertheless, reflexology focuses on the fingers or toes.
Reflexology is much like acupressure in that it includes making use of strain to designated areas of the physique. Nevertheless, reflexology focuses on the fingers or toes. Shiatsu: Shiatsu additionally includes making use of strain with the fingers. It goals to forestall sickness by rising circulation and restoring power stability within the physique.
Shiatsu additionally includes making use of strain with the fingers. It goals to forestall sickness by rising circulation and restoring power stability within the physique. Rolfing method: The Rolfing method includes making use of deep strain to the fascia, that are the sheaths that cowl the muscular tissues and inside organs. This type of therapeutic massage goals to right physique alignment.
The Rolfing method includes making use of deep strain to the fascia, that are the sheaths that cowl the muscular tissues and inside organs. This type of therapeutic massage goals to right physique alignment. Feldenkrais method: The Feldenkrais method includes correcting habits that put extra pressure on the muscular tissues and joints. The purpose is to make motion simpler and extra environment friendly.
The Feldenkrais method includes correcting habits that put extra pressure on the muscular tissues and joints. The purpose is to make motion simpler and extra environment friendly. Alexander method: It is a kind of motion remedy that helps to right habits that underlie dangerous posture and motion. It goals to cut back muscle pressure and rigidity all through the physique.
It is a kind of motion remedy that helps to right habits that underlie dangerous posture and motion. It goals to cut back muscle pressure and rigidity all through the physique. Trager method: This method includes a mix of mild and rhythmic contact, and workouts to assist relieve rigidity related to posture and motion.
Advantages Folks sometimes use therapeutic massage to: chill out the muscular tissues
cut back stress
relieve circumstances that contain muscle rigidity For individuals with MS, therapeutic massage might assist to forestall or alleviate sure signs, together with: Spasticity: Therapeutic massage might assist to chill out the muscular tissues and enhance vary of movement.
Therapeutic massage might assist to chill out the muscular tissues and enhance vary of movement. Ache: Therapeutic massage may help cut back swelling and mobilize physique tissues, leading to a discount in ache.
Therapeutic massage may help cut back swelling and mobilize physique tissues, leading to a discount in ache. Nervousness: A therapeutic massage session can present pleasurable stimulation and an opportunity to chill out, thereby serving to alleviate anxiousness.
A therapeutic massage session can present pleasurable stimulation and an opportunity to chill out, thereby serving to alleviate anxiousness. Poor circulation: Friction from a therapeutic massage will increase blood stream by veins close to the pores and skin’s floor, whereas petrissage will increase circulation by the deeper veins and arteries. As well as, gentle stroking will increase dilation of the capillaries, that are among the many smallest blood vessels within the physique. Collectively, these strategies assist handle poor circulation.
Friction from a therapeutic massage will increase blood stream by veins close to the pores and skin’s floor, whereas petrissage will increase circulation by the deeper veins and arteries. As well as, gentle stroking will increase dilation of the capillaries, that are among the many smallest blood vessels within the physique. Collectively, these strategies assist handle poor circulation. Stress sores: Therapeutic massage might assist stop strain sores. Nevertheless, an individual mustn’t obtain therapeutic massage on areas that have already got strain sores or redness from irritation.
Therapeutic massage might assist stop strain sores. Nevertheless, an individual mustn’t obtain therapeutic massage on areas that have already got strain sores or redness from irritation. Constipation: In accordance with the UK’s A number of Sclerosis Belief (MST), belly therapeutic massage encourages motion of stool by the intestine, serving to to alleviate constipation. A 2021 systematic evaluate and meta-analysis discovered that therapeutic massage remedy interventions had been related to lowered ache and fatigue amongst individuals dwelling with MS. A 2022 systematic evaluate means that various kinds of therapeutic massage may very well be useful for various MS signs. The authors discovered that Swedish therapeutic massage might assist to alleviate ache and fatigue, whereas reflexology might assist to alleviate anxiousness and despair. An earlier 2016 evaluate notes that therapeutic massage might yield extra useful results than train for an individual with MS, particularly if the particular person finds train too exhausting.
Dangers and unwanted effects Though therapeutic massage could be useful for individuals dwelling with MS, it additionally poses some dangers. Folks with the next circumstances ought to seek the advice of a physician earlier than receiving therapeutic massage remedy: Edema: Edema is swelling on account of a buildup of extra fluid within the physique. This situation can typically point out coronary heart or kidney issues, so an individual ought to discuss with their physician to ascertain the trigger earlier than receiving therapeutic massage remedy.
Edema is swelling on account of a buildup of extra fluid within the physique. This situation can typically point out coronary heart or kidney issues, so an individual ought to discuss with their physician to ascertain the trigger earlier than receiving therapeutic massage remedy. Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone illness that weakens the bones. Folks with osteoporosis should be cautious with therapeutic massage remedy, as their bones can break extra simply. People with MS are likely to have decrease bone density than the overall inhabitants, which makes them extra prone to fractures. In accordance with the NMSS, individuals also needs to seek the advice of a physician concerning the security of therapeutic massage if they’re pregnant or have any of the next: an ulcer on the liver or spleen
enlargement of the liver or spleen
a current harm
a prognosis of most cancers, arthritis, or coronary heart illness
The best way to discover a therapeutic massage therapist An individual can use the free therapeutic massage therapist locator on the American Therapeutic massage Remedy Affiliation (AMTA) web site to seek for a professional therapeutic massage therapist. Folks can even seek for a therapeutic massage therapist who focuses on a particular kind of therapeutic massage. For instance, individuals can discover a Feldenkrais practitioner by the Feldenkrais Guild of North America or a Trager practitioner by the US Trager Affiliation. An individual can even ask their physician for suggestions.
Inquiries to ask a physician It’s vital that an individual with MS test with their physician to find out whether or not therapeutic massage is protected for them. Questions an individual might wish to ask their physician embody: Is therapeutic massage protected for me?
Which sort of therapeutic massage ought to I select?
How usually ought to I’ve a therapeutic massage?
Are you able to suggest a therapeutic massage therapist who’s accustomed to working with individuals with MS?
What different life-style modifications can I make to assist with symptom aid and prevention?