Hi all need some help can you give a massage to someone with Myalgic Encephalopath

[Brettski]

Hi all can you give a massage to someone who has (ME) Myalgic Encephalopath, and has anyone done so, do you need to obtain doctors permission/referral, and how would it help.

Thanks

 

[ricynchoini]

My cousin has "M.E", I didn't get a drs note. I wasn't really very happy with doing a Swedish Massage, as it was one of the contraindications, but she insisted saying she had them once a fortnight, as you know massage depletes most of their energy, she said it energised her, anyway best stop talking about her as I don't believe she has it lol thats another story.

Normally I would do some of my aromatherapy massage routine, which is very light and ask them alot how they are feeling, sometimes they can only manage a few minutes or 30 +, I guess it depends on the severity of the illness.

 

[Colupsscaps]

I have treated someone with ME, and she found it really helped. If this is a homework question, yes you need a doctor's note. In practice you won't get one!

I would use a pressure which they can tolerate, for short periods of time. One oil which she particularly enjoyed was Palmarosa: she said it helped with the muscle pain.

 

[Teri G]

I have been treating people with ME using massage for a number of years and every one has received great benefits from the massages that they have received.

 

[Imo]

Hi Aries43 ~
Yes, I think massage can be of benefit to sufferers of ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis) for sure! I would say however that it should be a gentle massage and if using essential oils choose carefully.

I suffered from ME for a few years (to my annoyance!) and although I had been practising various complementary therapies including massage and knew of the benefits, I couldn't tolerate reflexology (which I'd normally loved having) or massage.

My health did improve (after Reiki actually) which took me to about 50% of my previously good state of health & it was then that I had massage but mainly to my legs, arms and hands (the pain/weakness thing which remained was a nuisance) and I did find it helped a great deal - as well as being so relaxing & enjoyable! It seemed to ease the physical symptoms and on a mental/emotional level I always felt calm but uplifted and positive. I always had the best sleep after - a more 'rested' sleep.

That was a few years ago. I'm very well now - I have to say Reiki did it -and I can tolerate massage quite well now although the legs still can't take too much handling from anyone who is a bit 'rough'.

I really feel it can be of much benefit if you can find a level that a client can tolerate and is happy with and make it a shorter session than normal. There is no point in passing the pain/discomfort threshold in a very sensitive painful body.

If you're asking because someone has asked you to carry out a massage - go for it!

As for needing a Dr's referral/permission - technically as ChrisRams said for homework/case study purposes I'd say yes - but unlikely in practice that you'd get it. The choice is down to your client and what he/she wants.
Good luck!

 

[billie196777]

Treatment isn't just about what you do to the patient, but also about what the patient's body does in response.

With a chronically exhausted person, it's very important not to exhaust them further. It's also important not to misinterpret a sudden boost of energy as an improvement in their condition, it can be a temporary eeking-out of a bit more adrenaline at a long-term cost. How they are in a year is much more important than how they are in an hour.

So, you need to ensure that you do not tire them out with over-treatment, make sure they have time to rest and rcover after, and be ready to offer support and guidance should they suffer any 'speed wobbles' or treatment reactions in the following days or weeks. If you have a coherent rationale for their condition and how your input will benefit them, then so much the better.

 

[Zahid]

I would recommend a shorter massage, half strength essential oils and get some feedback as you go to make sure she/he is coping with it all. Get a signature from her to say she is happy to have a massage and then review the care regularly.

 

[Doug]

Hi all

I just wanted tosay a bigh thank you to you all I will take your advice, and speak to her to see, if she would like to proceed with a gentle massage treatment.
Kind Regards

 

[Aerohead]

Good luck aries43, let us know how you get on

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi I have it. Its not something that is easy to define as it changes so often so I can understand why someone would think that it isn't real (one of the earlier posts)
All I can say is that in my own case, when I was in a severe state and bed ridden/wheelchair for the first 2 and a bit years, and muscles were horribly painful and weak, then massage would have stimulated the muscles as if I was exercising and I wouldn't have coped with it. Somedays, even a sandwich was too heavy to pick up so I just couldn't cope with even having my back lightly rubbed. Also your skin can get very painful even to light touch. (it was hell cos I couldn't have my legs waxed for years!!!!!) At that point it was reflexology that got me walking again. For about another 7 years I still couldn't have taken the stimulation of massage, but NOW - well I LOVE it! It speeds up a sluggish metabolism and essential oils are just brilliant. But if I am in a relapse/low phase it would be too much again.
So it really depends on how this person is each occasion and I would agree to start short, light and assess every time. If she is up and about and maybe even working then it will be great. If she is fragile and in pain, do very little and see how she is after the magical 48 hours that seems to be the definition of ME pain. You can seem fine after something and then get slammed 48 hours later and feel like you have flu and are being asked to run up a sand dune!!!!
I hope that helps.
Love Melanie x

 

[ngydkcii]

Hi Mel

If this was because of my post, please don't think that I don't believe it's not real, I know of people that have it, I just don't believe my cousin does ( but I'm sorry you cannot do all that she does with this debilitating illness, she is a known hypochondriac that plays on things) that's all. Hope you didn't take offence, it wasn't my intention xx

 

[Krystin Noyes]

Hi Jojo
No of course I didn't Don't worry. As I said, I understand why people don't believe it cos somedays I can do quite a lot of stuff but maybe 2 days later, I am thinking it wasn't so clever!!! But you are right, there are a lot of people who say they have it and I really don't see how..... but I just wanted to tell (can't remember who it was now, sorry!) the person asking the question that it really DOES vary from day to day and to be wary each time until she establishes a pattern for this client. No worries - no offence even imagined!!
Love Melanie x

 

[lkeziutyiorizsejl]

The only reason I doubt her is, I have researched and given her the link to the Lightning Process, I have found recipes for her to try etc, but she just doesn't want to know to get better.

Just heard from her funny enough she says she feels good today, I said that's great, you been feeling good for a while now, maybe you're coming to the end of it, she replied, I doubt it, I have this for life now !

I despair, I really do !

 

[earthbound]

Have it? Not have it? This thought process can lead us astray, it may be more complicated than which box to tick. There are probably a whole range of experiences that could fall under any particular banner. All cases are unique, and the only place for a textbook example is in a textbook.

What matters is what experience the person is going through and the features of their situation that make it so. Melsy's post was very enlightening about how things vary from day to day - you have to treat what you find, not what it says in a set of instructions. Also about the delayed effects of treatment; the effect only starts with treatment, everything you do alters the direction of their whole life forever.

People do cling to their condition, especially in more toxic cases, the process of unravelling it all can be very daunting. It can challenge everything a person believes in, their identity, the structures they create for themselves, and it can be physically very tough or even dangerous. So it's not surprising that not everybody is ready to get out of their situation.

However, whether somebody wants to be cured or simply have some support to get through the day, and whether that matters, are huge subjects too.

If you can find a way to make life that bit better, then brilliant.

 

[?Miss Inquisitive?]

Everyone has tried to help, she just won't help herself ! Can't help someone who won't try !

I can go on and on about it, but....

 

[mrwperae]

Interestingly, when this happens, it can be that the problem is being supported in some way.

As an analogy, it was once explained to me that when there is an alcoholic in the family, everyone else ends up doing a kind of dance around that person. It's not until everybody refuses to join in the dance that the person needs to move on. The trouble is that in some cases things can be very desperate indeed before that stage is reached.

As another analogy, whilst the (main) sufferer is half way up a mountainside, they are at least on a ledge. It's not ideal but as long as the ledge is secure it provides refuge until they are able to make the perilous journey back to the safety of the valley. Most interventions are about finding more space on the ledge, it doesn't help in the long term.

 

[wmtzejip]

My thoughts exactly !