Can a massage therapist make you worse?

[Bunz!]

I have a sciatic nerve problem, I believe, that starts right below my belt and runs down my leg. It is not consistent, but it really flares up with any exercise. I also have a stomach disorder that leads to low back pain. This one therapist at the chiropractor I am at seems insistent on pressing on my hip with some sort of stretching exercise towards the middle of my lower back. This twice has left me leaving the chiropractor's feeling worse than when I went in! She also hardly uses any lotion during the massage, so I feel like I am never able to really relax. On top of that, she doesn't really ask questions about how I am doing or how I feel afterwards...just seems to have a lack of concern for the patient. She doesn't seem to adjust her routine much for the patient's needs...goes about and does her thing. The other therapists also use a towel and ask if you want a pillow, even though you are partially clothed anyway....should I ask the chiropractor not to give me this therapist?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Treatment can leave you felling worse for a few days until things settle down again and it can take a few treatment to establish the balance required to adjust your posture etc.

But at the end of the day you are paying for the treatment you are receiving, so it is up to you to say how you are feeling and if something leaves you feeling worse after the treatment to say so and see if your concerns can be addressed.

You should receive an explanation as to why you are being treated such and such a way and if you are not happy with the response or the treatment then go and find another therapist who will listen to you and you feel more comfortable with.

 

[Waffle Waffle]

Hiya

As with most things in life if not done properly then yes!

from what you would say i would hazard a guess that she is attempting some soft tissue release on you but i could be wrong as i cannot actually see what she is doing!!!

the one thing that is obvious however is that you are not comfortable with her and this is crucial, it is your body and you are trusting it too someone else so you have to believe they are doing their best by you.... for me no consultation, no feedback and no follow up means i dont go back but hey i am very very fussy!!!

Agree with Paul, its your treatment, your money, find someone you are happy with.


Tigs
x

 

[loh m]

Blimey - I would agree - if you are not happy with her treatment for any reason, then don't go back!!

It sounds as if you are saying there is another therapist there too - why not give her/him a try instead?

Don't give up completely on the massage, particularly if your chiro recommends it, but definitely find someone you are happy with.

Karen x

 

[rs_net]

Definitely agree with everyone else.. If you are not happy then go spend your well earned money elsewhere.

Sometimes you can feel worse after treatment, this is Therapeutic Pain, however, you ca get a bad treatment too.

I agree that she might have been trying to do some form of soft tissue work as no lotion is used. I do soft tissue Myofascial work and never use oil or lotion as you slip rather then release.

If she has no rapport and you dont like her work... don't go.

 

[devan_dev1]

OK, here is the ending to the story. There are 4 massage therapists there, and I told the chiropractor how the one had made me worse two times in a row. He said he won't schedule me with her unless absolutely necessary, so the other 3 will be scheduled first. Anyhow, it turns out my problem might not be the sciatic nerve as much as the sacroiliac, in my lower back. While stretching, she pushed on my hip/hamstring towards the center of my back, and this really did damage to my lower back which was already hurting. The chiropractor said he was glad I told him and that it actually makes perfect sense that that stretch would hurt the sacroiliac. His office is a combined chiropractor/massage therapist office, so my insurance covers most of it due to the chiropractor part of it. So I get 1/2 hour massage once or twice a week. I've never paid $55 and had an hour massage, so I don't even know what that is.