now what?

[Cindy D]

hi everyone...i think i have tendonitis in my wrists all up to my elbow, my entire arms, and hands hurt! they are weak and nothing i do relieves it..i doubled my business in the past 3 weeks and even using forearms and elbows and icing and rubbing smelly stuff on me i am a wreck..it was hard getting through one massage yesterday and i am booked solid the next 2 or 3 weeks...any advice??? am i going to have to end my career early???

 

[Kaye B]

I know this might sound like a silly question, but when was your last massage?

I had a close call with burnout about 2.5 year into my career. Working too much and not getting worked on enough. Now I get a regular massage and adjustment everyother week and I seldom have any problems. Working on yourself just isn't good enough most of the time - you really need someone else to get in there for you.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Have you visited this forum thread?
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2456

It's full of ideas for helping hands/arms when they hurt.

 

[mabisking26]

you know, it has been a long time since ive had a massage, I did have my husband massage my hands and writsts to no avail...I was booked today and I kept icing them and running them under cold water and it helped... but i did order the video from Sien R. about saving your wrists, cant wait to get it..i tell you what after this scare I'm going to take my "tools" much more serious!!!!

 

[shawshank]

i tell you what after this scare I'm going to take my "tools" much more serious!!!!

I am glad to read that! Please do - it is very important.

 

[FeveDrercor]

Can you get to chiro who also gives ultrasound tx? At least the adjustments will insure some balance and alignment. Ultrasound heals on a cellular level.

Don't want to be discouraging in your plight, but cancelling a couple of days worth of appointments & TCB (as Elvis would say) wouldn't be the end of the world. Nobody wants to do that, but the world will still turn & you might even catch the break for healing that you need. (Get one or two bodywork appts on YOUR body during that time?)

I know I sound flip, don't read me incorrectly... just trying to inject a little leveity (sp? wow... long day... can't spell). I am booked to overbooked right now too, and facing a different kind of dilemma that has me considering cancelling out a couple or 3 days' work. It hurts the sensibilities, the finances, the work ethic, etc. But I know that at certain times, other things must come first.

I'm wishing you luck. Hope you bounce back soon.

Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Chia Obama]

Obviously, you've done all the self-care steps listed above. How about trying some contrast therapy. Put your arms elbow deep in hot water for 3 minutes and then into icy cold water (with ice cubes) for the same amount of time. Alternate this hot/cold dipping for about fifteen minutes. If you haven't the time, simply do it (a few seconds for each - cold/hot/cold) after every massage.

And...get massage for yourself.

 

[Virgil]

can you lay off your hands for awhile and adapt your techniques to only using your forearms? if you practice a bit, it can be a quite refreshing change!

good luck
amanda

 

[Clueless]

these ideas and comments are all so refreshing! I have definatly been doing the contrast hot/cold which seems to help and i'm using forearms more..do you think it feels as good as thumbs etc...?? Also, I ordered a lomi lomi video because I know they use elbows a lot...thanks everyone..keep ideas coming. I'm sure this is something we could all use now and then! :