AboutMikey Expertise I can answer questions regarding Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, Musculoskeletal Anatomy, SOAP Charting and documentation, Ethics, Myofascial Release, NeuroMuscular Therapy, Seated Chair Massage, and anatomy & physiology.
I cannot expertly answer questions about Eastern or allied modalities such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reflexology, Polarity, Aromatherapy, or Reiki but I may be able to refer you to someone who can.
Experience I have been practicing therapeutic massage and myofascial release for 5 years and am an instructor at 3 area massage schools. I have worked in medical, corporate, spa, private, outdoor event, and educational settings.
Past/Present Clients Clients who have voluntarily revealed their status can be found at the following links:
http://www.bearpaws.biz/index.php?section=reviews
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bear-paws-massage-atlanta
Question HI Mikey, I went to a massage therapist yesterday for sciatica. The therapist I usually go to does very aggressive treatment and helps usually for 4 to 6 weeks. The therapist I went to yesterday did very light massage and said that I should never have aggressive therapy because if aggressive therapy helped I should not still be in pain after 7 years of monthly treatments. The therapist did not use any oils either. He just did a few pressure points and a lot of soft rubbing. Today does not feel any different than the day after an aggressive massage. What is your opinion on the two different therapies and what would you do to treat ongoing sciatica due to tight piriformis muscles? Would you suggest steroid injections into the SI joint?
Answer Hi there Donella,
Let me say right off the bat my scope of practice does not cover giving or prescribing any form of medication, so no I would not suggest steroid injections into the SI joint to treat ongoing sciatica due to tight piriformis muscles.
Can you tell me more about what you mean by aggressive treatment? DO you mean faster work? Deeper? More often?
Depending on what is bringing about the issue, there may be no such thing as just making it all go away, it may be a recurring issue sthat requires maintenance. Frankly 4-6 weeks of help from one treatment sounds pretty darn good to me.
I always look askance when a practitioner denigrates another form of work or another practitioner, that is not very professional. Perhaps your new therapist can get the same results with less aggressive work, which is great, but ultimately you will know the difference in your own body. If you need treatment again before 4-6 weeks pass you will have your answer. :D
