Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Massage cause flare?

Good morning, I recently had a massage and the next day my spine was on fire and I had some brain fog and fatigue. I have been going monthly for a massage and my husband mentioned to me that he thinks this might be a cause for my flares. I also had flares the last two months. I'm gonna call the massage therapist tomorrow to see when I had massages in Jan and feb to see if my husband might be right?! Has anyone experienced this?

Yes, I only had two, never again. But I am tempted to try the hot stone one, that might be different.

I'm a massage therapist. It's very normal to feel tired and sore 24hrs after massage. Immediately after having a massage, you should hydrate and rest. Even better would be to take a nap. Avoid all strenuous activity. Massage will increase your blood circulation and help to flush out toxins from your system. If you feel you are in unbearable pain after a massage, it would be wise to inform the massage therapist. During a massage, it's also very beneficial to ask for more pressure or less pressure as you please. They'll be very grateful of your input, knowing they're giving you what you want.

Can I ask what type of massage you had? I'd recommend trying reflexology. It should be a gentle complementary therapy in comparison.

Hello thanks for your input. It was just a relaxation massage so nothing too deep. I've had much deeper ones in the past.

Ill put it this way...i can't have the pain relief creams i put on my chest and shoulders rubbed in or ill flare up. I have to be very careful not to put any pressure on the sore spots. Maybe that's just me, but i think massage makes it very inflamed.

Well that is strange. I'm sorry to hear that. I've never felt AS pain after a massage, only muscle pain from a therapist that was too strong and nearly half killed me one time.

I really really recommend reflexology.

After doing more research I don't think the massages are linked to my flares. Thank goodness!!!! I haven't done reflexology so I am going to read up on it. Thank you for the suggestion.

Banana, let me know about the hot stone massage if you ever try one

Gsisis- I've had some problems with massage the day after, until I learned about trigger points that I have. I know I've mentioned them in other posts.

A recent physical therapist thought I might have myofacial syndrome, and those trigger points do seem to play into my spine pain and fatigue too when they get really bad. Sometimes just lightly touching those areas make me hurt for a day afterwards. I've learned to work them out myself with the help of the workbook Trigger point therapy workbook, and with my physical therapist. Once my trigger points are loose, I can have a massage and benefit from it, but digging into areas near the spots, not on the spot, makes me feel a lot worse if they are in knotted balls.

I am not sure if the trigger points and AS are related, but I do think they get me sometimes into a circular pattern of pain. I've mentioned them to my rheumatologist and she doesn't say much.

The other thing that helps too is hot epsom salt bath after massage- now when I get a massage, I come home and take a hot bath too.