GOING TO A CHIROPRACTOR AND/OR A MASSAGE THERAPIST

Yes, massage and functional movement specialist

How long have you been off prednisone?

It took time for my muscles and connective tissues supporting my spine to recover after I tapered off Prednisone. My gluteus maximus muscle was incredibly painful too. People were telling me butt pain was characteristic of a PMR flare.

A physical therapist was working with me after I tapered off Prednisone. I increased the amount of stretching exercises but I couldn't do very much at first. My physical therapy sessions were coupled with deep tissue massages along my spine and buttocks. The massages were painful too at first. After a few months of physical therapy, the pain improved and I could tolerate the stretching exercises better. I didn't need to go back on Prednisone so I guess it wasn't a PMR flare.

Here we have a place called Stretch Lab and I have been going for several months now once per week. It helps a lot.

@elizabethannr see if you can add hot tub in there too

@tweetypie13
I am getting rid of my hot tub. Before being diagnosed with PMR, every time I used my hot tub, my entire body would hurt afterwards, like pins and needles. I finally tied it too PMR later. Also, I used to see an acupuncturist and had similar reactions of increased pain after treatments. I had seen her for several years with good results and then it all of a sudden it changed. Massage feels good to me though!

@betsyhase any and all avenues for relief!

For me, massage has been helpful in the moment, but with no long lasting value. On the other hand, a good PT course can alter a whole set of pain issues.

@pdxmac Nothing says you can't do both. If a massage feels good, don't deny yourself. Doing PT exercises daily will pay off slowly, but it will pay long term dividends.
I also have lymphoedema in my legs so I get lymphatic massages every two weeks as well.

I agree. Massage is always great but there is the cost factor.
I forgot to mention that I have a fabulous chiropractor and she has been very helpful. She is (mostly) covered by insurance.

@pdxmac

There are "medical massages" that are ordered by a doctor and covered by insurance. I thought a "deep tissue massage" was a medical massage but apparently it isn't.

According to artificial intelligence:
"Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic technique that uses slow, firm pressure to reach deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, often used to treat chronic pain, injuries, and muscle tension. While sometimes used interchangeably, it differs from "medical massage," which is a targeted, results-oriented treatment often prescribed by a physician to address a specific medical condition."
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All I know was that deep tissue massage helped me recover after post-prednisone PMR.

The following link spells it out.
https://massagematters.clinic/massage-and-chronic-illness-arthritis-fibromyalgia-polymyalgia-and-me/.