Tender to touch - advise needed please

[HealthWise]

I need some advice with a client. A brief background, history of fibro (although she says she's not having symptoms anymore, I asked), car accident 1 year ago, chronic migranes too.

When I first started seeing her every activity hurt. Severe pain in the the cervical and lumbar regions, with restricted ROM in the lumbar region. Massage has given her a part of her life back, however massage has been difficult for her because she is so tender to touch. It does not matter how much I warm up the tissues, or ice them down, even effurlage strokes can be painful. She has TPs that are so tender that a light touch will reduce her to tears. It is the lumbar and glutes that is the worst, I can barely touch them. Gentle stretching is extrememly painful too.

I'm at a loss what I can do to reduce her pain levels. I know I'm helping, and she is doing more activities to the point of doing to much at times. I know this is common, and trying to deal with the setbacks.

Normally, I would refer her out, but she can't afford massage at the moment, I'm working on a trade basis.

Any suggestions?

 

[YVONNE]

Is she the type of person who would try an epsom salt soak? Is it possible there are a lot of toxins adding to the "issues in her tissues?"
Also if she's feeling better and doing more... that's probably contributing to her problem. FMS clients tend to push it and then end up in a flare up again...
Urge her to take better care of herself. And to pay attention to the needs of her body for warmth, rest, food & hydration, etc.
Personally as far as techniques go, I'd recommend CST, and possibly some very gentle and subtle MFR.
If you both enjoy working with essential oils, you might try some that have a more analgesic effect.
And I think you might also try a little "distraction"... by including some guided imagery in her sessions. If she's paying attention to your voice and how pleasant things are... she'll be distracted from the pain.

 

[Praiser]

Along with the previous post, I noticed you do energy work, crystal healing and reflexology. Those modalities could all be used until your client is able to at least handle a light massage (If you have no training in either CST or myofascial release--which I would recommend the Barnes method as the others may be to uncomfortable).

 

[Jefisia]

Resisted stretches are a gentle way to release muscle spasms without deep work, hot towel compresses are effective (especially combined with essential oils ime) and having her focus on deep breathing will be beneficial.

I would start with the spine at the sacral base and work up and out from there OR at the head and work down and out from there. Start in the lamina groove and work very - VERY slowly. Like you might take 20 minutes to make your first pass down the spine....when I had a hypersentive client like that I found that releasing the spineous processes allowed him to relax for that first time in a long time.

Follow your instints obviously - if it is still struggle try something else.

There was one time - one - when at the wellness clinic, that the doctor had a client take some muscle relaxers before his appointment becuase of this issue. Once we got some stuff relieved he was able to handle future sessions with no problem.

But that was before I started using essential oils - now I would likely do an application of oils, hot towels compress and do compression techniques until they felt a change in energy.

Blessings, Angela

 

[neale]

I just had a client like this that I could hardly touch she was in so much pain. She came regularly and I worked as gently as I could and I can actually work on the muscles now. I couldn't previously - it was if the skin was even painful.

She also went to the ND and started a gluten free, sugar free diet which really helps the adrenal stress that is usually related to fibromyalgia.

Julie