Massage and Lyme

I've read conflicting info regarding weather or not massage is harmful with Lyme disease. Can anyone give me advice?

[wonko]

My experience has been that massage can be a wonderful complement to Lyme treatment, but it can also cause a temporary increase in symptoms.

I had a wonderful chiropractor before I moved and he did a lot of massage techniques on me.  It provided excellent relief of pain from the many inflamed bunches of muscles I have developed due to Lyme.  However, on a couple of occasions I experienced a notable worsening of symptoms within hours of my treatments.

He told me that the deep tissue work can stimulate the immune system and that could account for my experience.  I've read other people with similar experiences, though sometimes the culprit is considered to be "toxins" that get released by massage.  Regardless of the underlying cause, I can say that deep massage can trigger a flare up in symptoms, so if you are not feeling well in the first place you may want to proceed with caution and work with a massage therapist who will start off slow and with a lighter touch.

For me it was worth the isolated instances of a bad reaction because overall I benefited a lot from the massage therapy.  I have developed myofascial pain syndrome (I blame the Lyme for this) and there is no relief from this (that I've found) other than the right type of massage.  

Also, when I was very sick I was not able to be very active (even though I exercised a lot, that couldn't counter act the fact that for most of the day I was in bed or resting).  Over time I got very stiff and achy muscles, so the massages also helped in general.

I haven't had much in the way of massages or other physical treatments in the past almost year now, and this post serves to remind me that I should consider resuming such options...

[kimbees]

Thanks so much for your response. I will be getting a massage later today and will have her go light as my knees are so bad I have not been able to walk for 3 weeks.