AboutRachel Beider, LMT Expertise I can answer questions regarding Therapeutic Medical Massage, Prenatal Massage, and Chronic Pain Management.
Experience I am a NY State Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified in Prenatal Massage, and working as a Professional Doula. I have worked with Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, and in a Surgeon's Office, providing Medical Massage Therapy. I have volunteered massage work for the NYC Marathon and massaging patients at Beth Israel in the Jacob Perlowe Hospice Center. I currently own a business, Massage Williamsburg (www.massagewilliamsburg.com), in Brooklyn, NY.
Organizations American Massage Therapy Association
Education/Credentials Swedish Institute of Health and Sciences, WatPo Thai Medical Massage School in Bangkok, Carole Osbourne Sheets Prenatal Massage Certification, Doula Training by Association for Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators
Past/Present Clients My clients include dancers, athletes, a neurosurgeon, a chiropractor, yoga instructors, and moms-to-be
Question Hi my question is what should be done for bulging discs and si joint pain? My lower 5 verterbrae just above my tailbone are very worn and have bulging discs causing chronic pain. I also went for a massage and my therapist said my SI joint was out of place also causing pain and numbness down my right leg and buttocks down to my knee. My therapist suggested treating my psoas muscles. Is this necessary as I heard it is quite a painful treatment but if it will help I would consider it. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Answer Hello,
It's likely that the pain and numbness down your buttocks and leg are actually from the discs and lower back compression, rather than the SI joint, and potentially from tight muscles in your hips - the piriformis muscle often puts pressure on the sciatic nerve - which is the pain that you're describing.
Although releasing the psoas may be uncomfortable, it shouldn't be painful. The psoas muscle may be helpful in relieving lower back tension, in addition to working on the surrounding muscles. Also I'd highly suggest seeing a chiropractor or physical therapist in addition to massage therapy, as massage can only treat the soft tissue and muscles, whereas physical therapy can strengthen and support your body, and a chiropractor may be able to better address the disc issues.
I hope you've found this helpful, let me know if you have any further questions.
