I had the same reaction as you. Here is the article where I found this info, from 2015! https://www.aspca.org/news/topical-creams-can-pose-danger-pets
I don't know how much of the cream or gel it would take to seriously hurt a cat, but why take any chances? I found it really troubling that I never heard this from a vet. At one point we had five cats.
Good points. A good massage a few times a year can also help release muscles that have become "stuck" to bones due to lactic acid buildup. The challenge is finding a good masseuse. A good chiropractor may have a masseuse on staff, or be able to make a recommendation.
During the last few months I asked my Rheumatologist to send me to a spine specialist Physical Therapist.
Twice before over the previous 25 years I had benefited from spine PT from the same group in different cities.
It really does help but it was so severe I had several neck and head shots as well as wrist and elbow shots before starting therapy.
Then it required muscle relaxers accompanying the 2 PT appointments per week for 2-3 months.
I am much improved as are my headaches which had been frequent.
I am 78.
Good points. A good massage a few times a year can also help release muscles that have become "stuck" to bones due to lactic acid buildup. The challenge is finding a good masseuse. A good chiropractor may have a masseuse on staff, or be able to make a recommendation.
There is a type of massage therapist who does deep tissue myofascial release. It’s called MFR. There is a section in the forum here that discusses MFR. Spine surgeon recently told me to go do it and I have to pay out-of-pocket, but I should’ve done it many years ago and if One doesn’t get relief from surgery pain from the bones then the muscles are probably the issue. In my case that’s been the problem so I go for MFR twice a month. In addition when I go to physical therapy, I find a physical therapist that also does some MFR or manual work . For a while, Medicare wasn’t paying for them to do that but now it’s covered in my PT. It’s going to be a long slow process to unglue that facia in my case the first several times I went to the MFR therapist I would feel drunk when I left the office and I had to be careful driving home , I was fatigued for two days until the toxins left my body each time I’ve gone. It’s gotten better and better. There’s a lot that’s been gummed up in my body over the years!
During the last few months I asked my Rheumatologist to send me to a spine specialist Physical Therapist.
Twice before over the previous 25 years I had benefited from spine PT from the same group in different cities.
It really does help but it was so severe I had several neck and head shots as well as wrist and elbow shots before starting therapy.
Then it required muscle relaxers accompanying the 2 PT appointments per week for 2-3 months.
I am much improved as are my headaches which had been frequent.
I am 78.
I have been looking for a spine PT. If I may ask....do you live in a large city? I am in Kansas and the neurosurgeon just gave me a blank look when I asked about one!!!
The first two was with Spine and Sport in Savannah, GA. It was bought by Cora Physical Therapy while I was seeing Dr Ian Young there.
Most recently I saw another Cora PT Dr in Brunswick. GA and north Florida.
I was told there are other Cora therapy locations in the US.
My referral was from my Rheumatologist who I asked to do the referral.
It was excellent. I saw Lane Ferreira DPT, OCS, a
Board certified orthopedic specialist
Corahealth.com
Coraphysicaltherapy.com
Look online or call 386-986-0436, the clinic I saw for info.
There is a type of massage therapist who does deep tissue myofascial release. It’s called MFR. There is a section in the forum here that discusses MFR. Spine surgeon recently told me to go do it and I have to pay out-of-pocket, but I should’ve done it many years ago and if One doesn’t get relief from surgery pain from the bones then the muscles are probably the issue. In my case that’s been the problem so I go for MFR twice a month. In addition when I go to physical therapy, I find a physical therapist that also does some MFR or manual work . For a while, Medicare wasn’t paying for them to do that but now it’s covered in my PT. It’s going to be a long slow process to unglue that facia in my case the first several times I went to the MFR therapist I would feel drunk when I left the office and I had to be careful driving home , I was fatigued for two days until the toxins left my body each time I’ve gone. It’s gotten better and better. There’s a lot that’s been gummed up in my body over the years!
Thanks Lorie. Your explanation of MFR was much more elegant than my description of a helpful massage, although I think my masseuse was practicing MFR. At one point, he said he could "feel" when he had created some separation between my rhomboid muscles and my shoulder blade (scapula).
You also raise a good point about why MFR is needed in the first place. Over time, and without adequate stretching or massage, muscles accumulate lactic acid (the by-product of exercise or any exertion, really). Lactic acid has been explained to me as being like Elmer's Glue - sticky, nasty stuff that glues muscle fibers together, and glues muscles to bones.
Because this happens over time, we are scarcely aware of how it affects us. In my case, my rhomboid muscle got tight and painful when I laid down on one side. I just stumbled on a gifted masseuse who did provide some relief.
Thanks again for your explanation. And if anyone reading this does get either an MFR treatment, or even a good, hard deep-tissue massage, drink a lot of water after because a lot of lactic acid is freed up and has to be flushed from the body. And if you can afford it, get this treatment once or twice a month to literally keep things moving.
Thanks Lorie. Your explanation of MFR was much more elegant than my description of a helpful massage, although I think my masseuse was practicing MFR. At one point, he said he could "feel" when he had created some separation between my rhomboid muscles and my shoulder blade (scapula).
You also raise a good point about why MFR is needed in the first place. Over time, and without adequate stretching or massage, muscles accumulate lactic acid (the by-product of exercise or any exertion, really). Lactic acid has been explained to me as being like Elmer's Glue - sticky, nasty stuff that glues muscle fibers together, and glues muscles to bones.
Because this happens over time, we are scarcely aware of how it affects us. In my case, my rhomboid muscle got tight and painful when I laid down on one side. I just stumbled on a gifted masseuse who did provide some relief.
Thanks again for your explanation. And if anyone reading this does get either an MFR treatment, or even a good, hard deep-tissue massage, drink a lot of water after because a lot of lactic acid is freed up and has to be flushed from the body. And if you can afford it, get this treatment once or twice a month to literally keep things moving.
Hi Joe! I danced, I stretched and I did yoga. Probably my three problems are:
- Working long hours with my muscles taut for years and years on end
- 3 major auto accidents with whiplash incidents so my body goes right back tight like a rubber band
- heredity: my dad had the same (both artists, left handed with scoliosis)
That curvature of the spine will do it every time! Muscles pull on your back and tweak to hold it in position; getting worse when we age
I am going 2x a month. I am also getting some manual work done in P.T. 2 times a week. The PT is covered under Medicare but the MFR therapist is not. I saved for a rainy day. So I going to get the relief. It's more than lactic acid - its collagen, too. I came across a great article because of what you wrote - it made me curious: https://delostherapy.com/therapy-spotlight-what-is-myofascial-release/
here's something I have NOT read yet - but also looks like something I will check out: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8269293/
best wishes,
Lori
Could I ask you all two questions? Does Voltarin calm angry nerve pain in the neck area? Second, since alcohol in any topical aggravates my pain, is alcohol free available?
I have bad Fibromyalgia and massages and PT on my neck always thrown me into a terribly painful flare up for days. So I just have to do heated bean bag or ice pack on my neck. Muscle relaxer too but they cause constipation 😞
Could I ask you all two questions? Does Voltarin calm angry nerve pain in the neck area? Second, since alcohol in any topical aggravates my pain, is alcohol free available?
I have bad Fibromyalgia and massages and PT on my neck always thrown me into a terribly painful flare up for days. So I just have to do heated bean bag or ice pack on my neck. Muscle relaxer too but they cause constipation 😞
I have a similar reaction to PT. I do it in certain circumstances.
My husband and I use Voltaren. I use less of it.
My lower back pain requires injections. I also take Tylenol. With arthritis, osteoarthritis more and more, I believe I’ll always have some pain — and want to minimize it all I can.
All the best!
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yes, cats can be very sensitive to smells. Not just smells, but the chemicals causing them. And can be not just annoying, but very unhealthy.
I agree. I have had both chiro and massage. both can help a lot.
During the last few months I asked my Rheumatologist to send me to a spine specialist Physical Therapist.
Twice before over the previous 25 years I had benefited from spine PT from the same group in different cities.
It really does help but it was so severe I had several neck and head shots as well as wrist and elbow shots before starting therapy.
Then it required muscle relaxers accompanying the 2 PT appointments per week for 2-3 months.
I am much improved as are my headaches which had been frequent.
I am 78.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThere is a type of massage therapist who does deep tissue myofascial release. It’s called MFR. There is a section in the forum here that discusses MFR. Spine surgeon recently told me to go do it and I have to pay out-of-pocket, but I should’ve done it many years ago and if One doesn’t get relief from surgery pain from the bones then the muscles are probably the issue. In my case that’s been the problem so I go for MFR twice a month. In addition when I go to physical therapy, I find a physical therapist that also does some MFR or manual work . For a while, Medicare wasn’t paying for them to do that but now it’s covered in my PT. It’s going to be a long slow process to unglue that facia in my case the first several times I went to the MFR therapist I would feel drunk when I left the office and I had to be careful driving home , I was fatigued for two days until the toxins left my body each time I’ve gone. It’s gotten better and better. There’s a lot that’s been gummed up in my body over the years!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have been looking for a spine PT. If I may ask....do you live in a large city? I am in Kansas and the neurosurgeon just gave me a blank look when I asked about one!!!
The first two was with Spine and Sport in Savannah, GA. It was bought by Cora Physical Therapy while I was seeing Dr Ian Young there.
Most recently I saw another Cora PT Dr in Brunswick. GA and north Florida.
I was told there are other Cora therapy locations in the US.
My referral was from my Rheumatologist who I asked to do the referral.
It was excellent. I saw Lane Ferreira DPT, OCS, a
Board certified orthopedic specialist
Corahealth.com
Coraphysicaltherapy.com
Look online or call 386-986-0436, the clinic I saw for info.
Good luck too.
Thanks Lorie. Your explanation of MFR was much more elegant than my description of a helpful massage, although I think my masseuse was practicing MFR. At one point, he said he could "feel" when he had created some separation between my rhomboid muscles and my shoulder blade (scapula).
You also raise a good point about why MFR is needed in the first place. Over time, and without adequate stretching or massage, muscles accumulate lactic acid (the by-product of exercise or any exertion, really). Lactic acid has been explained to me as being like Elmer's Glue - sticky, nasty stuff that glues muscle fibers together, and glues muscles to bones.
Because this happens over time, we are scarcely aware of how it affects us. In my case, my rhomboid muscle got tight and painful when I laid down on one side. I just stumbled on a gifted masseuse who did provide some relief.
Thanks again for your explanation. And if anyone reading this does get either an MFR treatment, or even a good, hard deep-tissue massage, drink a lot of water after because a lot of lactic acid is freed up and has to be flushed from the body. And if you can afford it, get this treatment once or twice a month to literally keep things moving.
Joe
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Hug
3 ReactionsHi Joe! I danced, I stretched and I did yoga. Probably my three problems are:
- Working long hours with my muscles taut for years and years on end
- 3 major auto accidents with whiplash incidents so my body goes right back tight like a rubber band
- heredity: my dad had the same (both artists, left handed with scoliosis)
That curvature of the spine will do it every time! Muscles pull on your back and tweak to hold it in position; getting worse when we age
I am going 2x a month. I am also getting some manual work done in P.T. 2 times a week. The PT is covered under Medicare but the MFR therapist is not. I saved for a rainy day. So I going to get the relief. It's more than lactic acid - its collagen, too. I came across a great article because of what you wrote - it made me curious:
https://delostherapy.com/therapy-spotlight-what-is-myofascial-release/
here's something I have NOT read yet - but also looks like something I will check out:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8269293/
best wishes,
Lori
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionCould I ask you all two questions? Does Voltarin calm angry nerve pain in the neck area? Second, since alcohol in any topical aggravates my pain, is alcohol free available?
I have bad Fibromyalgia and massages and PT on my neck always thrown me into a terribly painful flare up for days. So I just have to do heated bean bag or ice pack on my neck. Muscle relaxer too but they cause constipation 😞
I have a similar reaction to PT. I do it in certain circumstances.
My husband and I use Voltaren. I use less of it.
My lower back pain requires injections. I also take Tylenol. With arthritis, osteoarthritis more and more, I believe I’ll always have some pain — and want to minimize it all I can.
All the best!