RSI, self-injury

[in_lovebaby13]

Ever since I started massage in MT school, I've noticed that I 'pop' a lot giving a massage. My joints are constantly popping. I was told by some that this could cause problems in the future, and I've heard a lot of people say that it's no big deal, if it pops it needed to pop.Yesterday and today my right shoulder has been killing me to move it. It hurts at the joint (the shoulder girdle) that pops a lot when I'm doing raking (using my forearm and elbow) on a client's back. It hurts to abduct it. I've had it massaged (just today in fact) which didn't seem to help much at all. Not sure if I need it adjusted or not, but I'm pretty sure that it will be injured worse as time goes by. I'm not exactly sure how to make it stop hurting, it shouldn't hurt just by doing raking. I've adjusted my table height making it shorter and higher, but I still seem to 'pop' a lot giving a massage. I'm starting to worry about it, and am wondering what I can do about it besides stop doing raking. Not sure if it just needs to be adjusted, but I don't want to end up injuring myself and having to stop doing massage. What should I try to do?  

 

[Bobber Geldkraft]

I've had that same problem with my shoulder...it got so bad that I had to go see my doctor...turns out that I have developed tendonitis in my left shoulder....now I am conscious that I don't use my upper arms just my forearms and wrists.  Every so often it will flare up but there are excercises that you can do to prevent it from reoccuring... ;D

 

[nani poo]

RSI, self-injury

Every so often it will flare up but there are excercises that you can do to prevent it from reoccuring... ;D

What exercises should I be doing? I'm wondering if it was actually doing massage that did it (I'm sure that helped i tot hurt or at least caused it to hurt, as that motion is the only angle that it hurts to do) or driving my truck. My truck is a standard, and shifting into second is difficult (a belt is messed up, I really have to yank on the shift to get it to go into second) which causes me to have to pull back, and it really hurts to do as well. I've been using biofreeze and sombra on it, to no avail. Seems to hurt much worse today. I think tonight I'll ice it down and alternate with heat packs. Any suggestions?

 

[Noelle D]

Seforum.xxxgnant,I am sorry to hear about your shoulder pain.Give it a rest, send it lovingkindness, sit quietly and listen to what your body is telling you, get some great massage or energy work from someone you trust. If the massage you received didn't help, try someone else.  Is there anyone in your area that does "healing touch" or "therapeutic touch?"I know this happens to many of us and I hope you get lots  of replies and suggestions because I too have these worries and I am at the beginning of my career.I used to do a lot of computer work and carried tension in my forearm.  It never really hurt, but whenever I would receive a massage, I would notice that the area was really tight.Now that I am in school and giving massage regulary, I am VERY AWARE of the energy constrictions in my forearm.  I receive really good energy work and soft tissue manipulation every other week from someone outside the school and it is resolving and getting better.For me, the muscles and tendons are always tight, but they don't always hurt.  They hurt when I am doing things that put me in my head.  For instance if I am really concentrating on doing a particular technique I can find myself torqued into a weird position and in pain and not realize it until I move to the next position.I agree with you raking "shouldn't" hurt, but since it does, I would avoid doing any move that causes you pain.  Have you seen Art Rigg's book on Deep Tissue? He has a lot of info on body mechanics in there and it has helped me a lot.I will be thinking of you and let us know how things are.LaLoba

 

[proocresk]

Jeff, Sorry you've got a mobility problem. I would address your Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus. Check to see if you have this symptom. Do you have pain raising your arm to shoulder height, out to the side of the body? Do this in front of a mirror so you don't subconsciously try leaning to raise your arm. If you cannot lift your arm away from the side of your body, you may have ruptured your supraspinatus tendon and it should not be treated with massage and you should see an ortho. surgeon.{ Not trying to scare, just informing.} Try to avoid the action that aggravates it. Ice between clients if you can. Have you tried addressing it with a theracane? All rotator cuff muscles?Have you started an action of taking OTC pain relievers on a regular basis to keep inflamation to a minimum? Just some thoughts.  

 

[eliza]

RSI, self-injury

Dude...I just got NMT on my right shoulder yesterday for a combintation of ailments including tendonitis. The treatment hurt like a son of a gun, but my arm feels much better today after one treatment!

 

[Knightmare]

RSI, self-injury

seforum.xxxg, i hope you heal soon.in the meantime, challenge yourself to revise your massage to emphasize your good arm.i messed up my shoulder by sleeping 'wrong'. it took me months to be able to perform a forearm stroke with that arm without pain. i found it to be creatively inspiring to revise my methods.out of chaos, comes opportunity

 

[duck]

RSI, self-injury

Have you started an action of taking OTC pain relievers on a regular basis to keep inflamation to a minimum? Just some thoughts.  

Well, I honestly don't have any OTC meds in my house at all. I'm usually against using meds, but that's just me, lol. The pain only comes when I supinate my arm and abduct it. I was thinking either supraspinatus or toe top of my biceps brachii, as that's about where it hurts. It's not quite as bad today as it has been, and I've been icing it, applying biofreeze, sombra, and some emu oil based pain balm.

Any ideas as to why I would be "popping" during massage and, well, when I walk, sit down, move, or breathe? lol Is this a sign of future problems or is it nothing to really worry about?

 

[Observer]

Any ideas as to why I would be "popping" during massage and, well, when I walk, sit down, move, or breathe? lol Is this a sign of future problems or is it nothing to really worry about?

Seforum.xxxg, it sounds like a real pain in the rear.Consider getting someone to do some cross fiber friction on a regular basis for you, and/or some acupuncture.  At least that's what I think.Sounds like a ligament is tight for some reason if it is popping that much.  But, I dunno.... Can't see ya.... *gives you a kind smile and hopes for the best for you*

 

[China Man]

Hey Seforum.xxxg -- I have the same problem.  About a month ago I noticed that everything seems to be popping during a massage (elbows, shouders, wrists, knees, ankles)  It didn't hurt, it was just sort of "grating".  I had a PT look at it and he suggested that I have laxity (sp) in my joints -- that there's really not a whole lot you can do about it.  Not sure it it's the same thing going on with you, but thought I'd share my two cents.  Just a thought ... have an Osteopath take a look at it!