Sports massage etc etc

mrc1

Question is, is it just a big con?

Background - I have had years of problems with my back going back to being hit by a car and cracking a vertebrae. That has resulted in two of my lumbar discs being knackered leading to the one either side of the dodgy vertebrae being worn away to almost nothing (confirmed by MRI) and an on-going problem with a bulge causing agony. In an otherwise fit and healthy 27 year old this is frustrating....

Consultants galore have basically told me that short of an operation (which I don't want to have as it means a year off and no guarantees), there isn't much that can be done other than pain management (tramadol, codeine, steroid injections, possible new treatment involving electrical implants). Not to my mind a long term plan due to addiction/reliance issues.

The day to day disc pain is manageable (hurts but I ignore it), what causes an issue for me is the associated muscle stiffness, so on the advice of the consultant I went for a sports massage a few days ago (I have tried this before with limited success). I use a foam roller every day and also a tennis ball to work on sore spots but theres a limit to what i can do myself. My initial scepticism was short lived as she found a load of trigger points in my back through touch which had been causing a lot of discomfort and an hour and a half later I felt a huge amount better. Feel good for 24 hours then ride my bike yesterday, change a puncture on the car, do a home gym workout and wake up this morning feeling back to square one.

So question is, is it worth bothering going back? The massage woman said that ideally I would see her several times to really sort all the various issues (one session not giving her enough time) and then that would mean I have several weeks of free movement. My concern though is that this is just a sales pitch - I can't really afford to spend £30 endlessly if the results only last for a few days.

cyclingprop

Sports massage to release combined with physio to build strength/endurance in your muscles to support your dodgy bits are the way forward.

Yes, they work.

mrc1

Been down the physio route before and am working with one at the moment to come up with a plan. Without being boasty I have superb core strength from the various training I do (I do MMA and Kickboxing along with cycling and gym) and have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to sort out the posture issues, so there isn't much room for improvement there unfortunately.

Il give the sports massage another go and see if session two helps. Cheers.

itboffin

Send the good lady on a course, problem sorted

mrc1

She'd probably charge.

jonomc4

I think the thing is, this is always going to be an issue - eventually when you are older you will probably end up going for the operation. If I were you I would go for it now - just my view.

jonny_trousers

Back problems are always tricky to deal with. I guess at least you have a reason for yours and you've had MRIs to assess the damage, but even then, I suspect there's a lot of guesswork going on by the professionals where treatment is concerned.

I suffered a lot of back pain in my twenties and tried almost every treatment in the book. I'm not sure what it was that helped significantly in the end, but I suspect it was getting into the gym and building those muscles that would offer support. Clearly that's not your problem, however.

As part of my treatments I did have 3 very expensive massages a week for a while with the promise that it would sort me out completely, and like you, I found I'd feel better for a short while and then it was back to normal. In fact, I actually think the pummelling may have exacerbated those bloody annoying muscle spasms where everything suddenly locks up and you are in pain for the next four or five days.

I do suspect there is a lot of value in sports massage, but I'm dubious of any claims that X amount of treatments over X amount of time will cure the issue.

One thing for you to consider: given your condition, I assume you are entitled to physio on the NHS? If this is the case could you not ask the physio to prescribe regular massage as part of your treatment?

Good luck! Back ache sucks.

PS. anyone I've met whose had the disc fusing op regrets it.

captain_kirk

I had a microdiscectomy back in 2008. This was to releave a prolapsed disc causing sciatica. I'm now 29 (nearly 30!!!) and would make the same choice as back then. At this age your body should be able to recover from surgery well (as long as everything goes correctly). I still have the occassional issue, mostly resulting from sitting badly for too long, or not doing enough exercise.
I've had physio and sports massages. They both work well if you get the right person doing it (I had one physio who was useless), and you go often enough to solve the problem. Just going once or twice won't solve the problem, just releave the symptoms for a while.

BigLights

I've also got 2 collapsed discs, L4 and L5. Fortunately i'm bupa'd up to the eyeballs so i've been able to see a whole range of folks. It's ferociously painful when the nerve is trapped and exceptionally stiff when not.

I go to probably the best Chiropractor in the UK (Alan Jordan, if you're in London, he is also a uni Prof and at the forefront of some real groundbreaking spinal research). I had the full MRI thing done, and saw a surgeon as well as a musculoskeletal specialist and physio. We decided against surgery as it's not somethign you do lightly and it wasn't a must have at this stage.

We have managed to mitigate the symptoms very well with some work. It depends on who you see. A jolly enthusiastic amateur ain't gonna cut it but if you invest in seeing some real pros, I think you will get some real results. I can't recommend Alan and his clinic (he's picked really professional folks across the board). You will also be unlikely to get very much accomplished simply by knocking back painkillers as you're not dealing with the issue.

So yes, in my limited experience it probably would work but I'm more of a believer in physio than just a massage.

Good luck!

BigLights

sorry, that mean to say I can't recommend Alan Jordan HIGHLY ENOUGH...haha!

vitesse169

I have suffered with lower back pain for many years due to carrying heavy packs/running in Army DMS boots/Army PT etc, etc...Having started triathlon 4 yrs ago and the pain resurfacing, I started going to a Functional Core Class. This has had the most effect on my back rather than pain 'management'... A strong core will hold everything in place/ in balance - with good posture you may find this brings more benefit... have a go, what's to lose....?

First.Aspect

I would say that it very much depends what you are going to see a massage therapist about. They are good at soft tissue - releasing things, breaking up scar tissue and so on.

A concern I have with all of these therapies is that its rare to be told that they can't help. No one is going to tell you that you've come to the wrong type of therapist. Bowel problems? Sure I've got a massage for that. Short sighted? I'll realign your spine, that'll fix it.

Chiropractors are particularly troubling. There's minimal if any scientific basis for what they do. None have ever managed to explain to me the difference between (a) the massage aspects of what they do and sports massage and (b) osteopathy. They aren't doctors.

Give them your bank card and pin if you want, though.

mrc1

Some sound advice above on the pros and cons. Not quite sure where it leaves me other than spending lots of time on the foam roller and the tennis ball to see if I can't help myself!

I have the steroid injection in a few weeks so will see how that goes. The electric implant thing I mentioned certainly sounds interesting as it is a new piece of research that the consultant I have been seeing is heading up so if it goes ahead I may volunteer for that.

Surgery wise every person I have seen has told me that there are no guarantees it will solve the problem, but regardless the recovery period will be long and frustrating. Based on my current symptoms and work (own LDT so I can't afford to be laid up) I would rather deal with the day to day pain at the moment.

I have to admit to being highly dubious of the whole cracking and popping thing. I went to see one of them once who was suggesting that by manipulating my back in a certain way he would be able to "pop" the disc back into place :roll:

mrc1

First Aspect wrote:

A concern I have with all of these therapies is that its rare to be told that they can't help. No one is going to tell you that you've come to the wrong type of therapist. Bowel problems? Sure I've got a massage for that. Short sighted? I'll realign your spine, that'll fix it.

I am with you on this. The sports massage woman I saw a few days ago did to my surprise tell me that she would be able to do absolutely nothing to aid my disc issue, only help with the muscle pain and was even at the point of turning me away before I told her I totally understood and was seeing her for help with the muscle issues!

itboffin

steroid injections did bugger all for me, in fact im not sure they do anything for anyone. After almost a year of shoulder pains I had the surgery then another 6+ months of physio on the NHS thankfully, of course i did the daily exercises ...NOT!!!

and eventually the pain went, now however its coming back more and more frequently and my clavicle seems to be sticking out more as each day goes by, i'm guessing more surgery to pull the separation back together again.

See the physio and do the exercises.

PS. when laying on my side it looks like i'm growing a parrot, AHHHH matey 8)

warreng

I feel your pain. Not literally, that would be daft

Everyone's different but I went through 3 years of 2 bulging discs having physio, massage, painkillers, pilates - everything but the knife. My ability to live life as I had been doing was restricted - I couldn't stand up for more than 15 mins or pick my daughter up out of her cot. In the end I bit the bullet and had a double microdiscectomy and a laminectomy. There was a long period of rehab but I can safely say it was the best thing I ever did. It was over 12 years ago now and I've not had many issues since - probably no more than most "normal" people.

The turning point for me was the realisation after paying to see a consultant that it was not going to get any better without an op. Looking back I wish I'd had the operation a lot earlier

gaz79

Unfortunately no amount of Sports Massage can alleviate your pain due to the seriousness of your back condition. The surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments etc, try to compensate for your backs injury causing associated pain/soreness as these become tight, fatigued and so on. A decent, qualified Sports Masseuse can help reduce this associated pain, possibly for progressively longer period of time, with regular treatments. But the initial injury remains the same.

A Physio or Osteopath will be able to provide a tailored exercise programme aimed at helping the surrounding tissues cope better at compensating for your injury. Again however, this will not alter the damage already done.

Surgery is probably the only chance of alleviating your pain long-term, however as pointed out, there is no guarantee this will be the case.

mrc1

Thanks for the advice all.

I am meeting a physio who I really trust to discuss options with her and then will probably try and get referred to a surgeon to get their opinion.

itboffin

Well i've pretty much spend my last week and this weekend chomping on codeine washed down with beer, my post surgery shoulder is fucked again, and i dont need a doctor to tell me that the separation has returned, if i lay on my side there's a 2" protrusion and lifting either arm causes dislocation.

Moral of the story, even with surgery you might be in for a lifetime of physio, pain & drugs :?

aren't i cheery

greg66_tri_v2.0

Ah. Massage and injury. A subject with which I am well acquainted.

Muscles contract to protect damage. Contracted muscles impede movement and create pain. A sports massage will release the contractions, but if the underlying pain remains, it is a short term fix.

However, with a chronic condition, the muscles will contract semi-permanently in response to the underlying condition. Here, a sports massage plus a program of stretching can help to return the muscles to their normal length and allow the muscles fitness to subside more easily.

Basically, MRC1, you've got to get your disc bulge sorted. If you don't want surgery you should perhaps look at some form of postural strengthening Physio work. Or you can wait. As you age the discs lose fluid and dry out, thus naturally limiting their ability to bulge.

mrc1

@boffin - Tramadol and Codeine prescription by the hundred is my current friend. Only problem is that both are pretty moreish :oops: Having had a very similar shoulder op and huge ongoing probs I know the feeling!

@Greg - Will speak to my physio friend then look into seeing a surgeon through the NHS... so I'll have plenty of time to ponder the decision I am sure. Congrats on the Ironman finish by the way!

rjsterry

This thread is definitely making me want to look after the (so far) trouble free back and limbs that I have. Hope everyone reaches some sort of successful conclusion.

itboffin

Currently sat in the doctors surgery sigh!

mrc1

itboffin wrote:

Currently sat in the doctors surgery sigh!

Ouch - hope they come up with something useful.

itboffin

mrc1 wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Currently sat in the doctors surgery sigh!

Ouch - hope they come up with something useful.

Stronger codeine some industrial strength NSAID and Diazepam :shock:

Oh and a letter signing me off work for a week, seems i might be a bit too "relaxed" to function in the real world :roll:

I havent told work yet, that's not going to go down well

itboffin

My doctor confirmed this isnt related to my original shoulder injury, a new and hopefully temporary muscle injury.

Anyway enough about me, back to your original point, yes have the surgery now.

mrc1

itboffin wrote:

mrc1 wrote:

itboffin wrote:

Currently sat in the doctors surgery sigh!

Ouch - hope they come up with something useful.

Stronger codeine some industrial strength NSAID and Diazepam :shock:

Oh and a letter signing me off work for a week, seems i might be a bit too "relaxed" to function in the real world :roll:

I havent told work yet, that's not going to go down well

Turn things on the head and offer to keep working in your new "relaxed" state. I'm sure they will quickly decide to force you onto sick leave.

itboffin

well after a day of prescription strength codeine and valium i only just woke up, feeling a bit fuzzy to say the least