Question:

Hello Dr. Rodgers,

I would like to ask you a question…

Is deep hard vigorous massage good for a person w/ PD? (This may have  a  2 part answer, for both short & long term effects).

I was diagnosed @ 41, am now 56. I am trying massage w/ new lady starting last Thursday. She is vigorous, wakes up my old sciatic nerve pathways from my cocci to my feet. She does not back-off. She wants me to tough it out, believing in a long term solution.

I have noticed that I get immediate improvement in movement, especially as I yawn,  I assume that gases trapped in the muscles are being released. But the next day it has been much more difficult to get going. Today it was 11:00. Yesterday it was 1:30 pm. But I must also say hat I have fallen on my lower backside on concrete 3 of the last 4 days.

I am seeing the unique Doctor Yanna, trained  in Germany & China. She does initial diagnostic with the “triple pulse of the wrist method”. They also use blood tests, ultrasound and computer diagnostics of the nerve responses of the hands & feet. They treat primarily  with natural  medicines, acupuncture, IV therapy & massage. She believes we can have a major reversal of symptoms in about 2 years if I come to her clinic 2-3 times per year.

Thank you,

Robert

Response:

I have not heard positive feedback about deep tissue massage and would not recommend it for this reason. John Coleman, ND, author of Stop Parkin’and Start Livin’ reports that deep tissue massage was one therapy that – like you – seemed to backfire for him.

Your therapist is attempting to encourage the release of emotions that are embedded in the tissues. When the therapist presses on a muscle that is painful – if you drop down just under the pain – you will usually see a release.

The problem with a person currently experiencing PD symptoms is that the muscles which are already restricted tend to tighten up more.  The body goes into fear and does not release anything. That is, instead of seeing tissue release they do just the opposite.

People report back they get better results with a body therapy that is more gentle like cranial sacral or energy medicine or for some people Bowen therapy.

Gentle seems to be preferred to invasive. The tissues of the body are already in “fear”and on alert.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

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