My chiropracter suggested massage a long while ago, but I just never went.  Then, my hands started getting really painful, especially at night, and my left hand also started bothering me.  I knew I had to do something.  I am a professional musician, church organist, and I knew I could not afford to be without these hands.  One surgeon I went to promised about 60% usage of my hands after surgery.  I said thanks, but no thanks.  I need 100% usage!  Then someone else suggested massage, and I figured, what have I got to lose.  I began treatments right before Thanksgivine, and the very first night, I had almost no pain in either hand - I actually slept through the night for the first time in months!  Usually, I got up every single night and sat in my lounge chair to try and sleep because I hurt and felt like my hands were on fire.  I just couldn't find a comfortable position for my hands lying down.

Anyway, about the massage.  I go to her home where she has an area devoted to her practice.  (Some come to you, but I feel it is better to go to her since she has all the essential oils, stones, etc. right at her fingertips.)  She works on me for close to 1.5 hours each session, once a week.  She works my neck muscles, my back, my shoulders, in my armpits, my chest, down each arm, my wrists, my hands and fingers.  I am not completely pain free yet, but I can count on one hand the number of nights I have had to get up because of pain in my hands since starting treatment.  And I can always relate it back to what I did that day.  If I spend too much time on the computer, I am in trouble.  If I vacuum too much, if I clean too much, if I bake too much, I am in trouble.  Just like you must know what activities take their toll on your hands.  So, although I want to do things, I just put the brakes on now, and try not to abuse myself too much!  That is the really hard part, not doing all the things I want to do.  Hopefully, in time, the massage will help.  I also will explore acupuncture if I have to.  I will try ANYTHING before I have the surgery.

And I am going to see a doctor soon to find out if I do have some arthritis.  I have started taking the glucosamine/condroitin, and that is giving me some relief also.

Janet

on 1/14/03 2:31 PM, Jenny Drastura at hayleydg@... wrote:

--- Janet Miller <mrsm352@...> wrote:
> A friend of mine had it on both hands, first one and
> then the other, and she
> was told to expect to be out for 3 months, 6 weeks
> per hand.

Oh my... that will be bad... they might find out they
can do without me at work!
>
> I am exploring massage therapy...and I LOVE the way
I feel.  

Please tell me more, like, what kind of therapist,
what is the treatment like, etc.

Thanks!
Jenny

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