Massage and Multiple Sclerosis: Advantages, drawbacks, and further insights
For individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), massage and bodywork therapies can offer significant relief from symptoms such as muscle spasticity, pain, stress, and mobility issues. Here's a guide to the recommended types of massage and bodywork, their benefits, and precautions for MS patients.
Recommended Types of Massage and Bodywork for MS
- Physiotherapy Massage and Manipulation: This gentle approach focuses on soft tissue manipulation to improve blood circulation, reduce pain, relieve muscle stiffness, and enhance mobility. It is widely recommended due to its suitability for all ages and its ability to target common MS symptoms like muscle spasms and movement disorders.
- Myofascial or Fascia Release Therapy: This therapy is useful for releasing tightness and improving elasticity of fascia affected by MS-related central nervous system damage. It can help reduce muscle stiffness and improve movement.
- Gentle Massage (e.g., Swedish Massage): This is often preferred to avoid intense pressure that may exacerbate symptoms. Swedish massage enhances relaxation, reduces stress and fatigue, and improves circulation without triggering muscle spasms.
- Complementary Therapies like Yoga and Stretching Exercises: Though not massage, these bodywork therapies complement massage by enhancing flexibility, strength, balance, and relaxation. Yoga specifically has demonstrated benefits such as reduced fatigue, pain, stress, and improved muscle relaxation in MS patients.
Benefits Associated with These Therapies
- Pain relief and reduction of muscle spasticity: Massage helps alleviate stiffness and reduce painful spasms common in MS.
- Improved mobility and flexibility: Gentle manipulation and stretching maintain joint range of motion and muscle elasticity.
- Stress reduction and mental health improvement: Relaxation-focused therapies lower anxiety, depression, and improve overall quality of life.
- Enhanced circulation and lymphatic drainage: Physiotherapy massage increases blood flow, aiding nervous system and muscular health.
Risks and Precautions
- Risk of exacerbating spasticity or muscle weakness: Intense pressure (such as in deep tissue massage) may trigger increased muscle tone or discomfort if not carefully controlled.
- Fatigue: Overly vigorous therapies might cause fatigue or increase MS symptoms, so sessions should be adapted and closely monitored.
- Individual variability: MS symptoms vary greatly; therefore, bodywork plans must be personalized by therapists experienced with neurological conditions.
- Avoidance of heat or excessive pressure: Some MS patients have heat sensitivity, so massages generating excessive heat or pressure should be adjusted accordingly.
In summary, gentle physiotherapy massage, myofascial release, and stress-reducing techniques like yoga and stretching are most recommended for MS, offering relief from spasticity, pain, and fatigue while improving function. More intensive techniques like deep tissue massage can be beneficial but require cautious application to avoid symptom exacerbation. Multidisciplinary care involving physiotherapists and massage therapists familiar with MS provides the safest and most effective results.
People with MS tend to have lower bone density than the general population, making them more susceptible to fractures. Therefore, they should be careful with massage therapy, ensuring they consult their doctor before starting any new treatment. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) advises consulting a doctor about massage safety for people who are pregnant or have conditions such as ulcer on the liver or spleen, enlargement of the liver or spleen, recent injury, cancer, arthritis, or heart disease.
People with osteoporosis (a bone disease that weakens the bones) need to be particularly cautious with massage therapy, as their bones can fracture more easily. Shiatsu, a technique involving applying pressure with the fingers to prevent illness and restore energy balance in the body, should be approached with caution in these cases.
For those seeking a massage therapist, recommendations from doctors are invaluable. Additionally, organisations like the Feldenkrais Guild of North America or the United States Trager Association can help find a massage therapist specializing in a specific type of massage. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) website offers a free massage therapist locator to search for a qualified massage therapist.
Other complementary therapies, such as the Rolfing technique (deep pressure to the fascia to correct body alignment) and the Feldenkrais technique (correcting habits that put excess strain on the muscles and joints to make movement easier and more efficient), may also provide benefits for MS patients. Acupressure, involving using the fingers to apply pressure to different pressure points in the body, is another option to consider.
In conclusion, massage and bodywork therapies can play a crucial role in managing the symptoms of MS, offering relief from pain, spasticity, anxiety, and improving overall quality of life. However, it is essential to consult with a doctor and choose a therapist experienced in working with neurological conditions to ensure safe and effective treatment.
- For MS patients, physiotherapy massage, myofascial release, and stress-reducing techniques like yoga and stretching are recommended, offering relief from spasticity, pain, and fatigue while improving function.
- Deeper massage techniques like deep tissue massage can be beneficial but should be applied cautiously to avoid symptom exacerbation.
- MS patients should consider seeking a massage therapist who is experienced in working with neurological conditions and has been recommended by their doctor.
- To maintain bone health and reduce the risk of fractures, MS patients should consult their doctor before starting any new massage treatment and exercise caution with massage therapy.
- Complementary therapies such as Rolfing, Feldenkrais, and acupressure may also provide benefits for MS patients when practiced by a therapist experienced in working with neurological conditions.
- MS patients should consult the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) or organizations like the Feldenkrais Guild of North America, the United States Trager Association, or the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) for guidance in finding a suitable massage therapist.
