Knot Having Much Fun

When I got sick with Lyme disease, I'm fairly certain my back and neck muscles signed some kind of bizarre contract with the Lyme spirochetes granting them full permission to build their city in my muscles. There are countless very stubborn (and quite painful!) muscle knots all along the muscles in my back and up my neck that refuse to release, much to the frustration of my massage therapist. I get massages at least once a week; I've tried visualization, heat, pretty much anything you can think of.

Two night ago, during my massage, the knots finally gave in and broke up! I was ecstatic and for once, pain-free in my back and neck! However, when I woke up the next day--yesterday--every one of those pesky knots were back and the pain was back. I guess those busybody spirochetes built their city right back up while I was sleeping. Today, the pain in my neck is ridiculous. It feels like I have whiplash. It hurts to turn my neck. I feel like a little old lady!

I have a lot more energy now, so I know the knots are not merely from being inactive. I also never had them before I got sick. I'm curious, do other Lymies have this same problem with muscle knots? Anyone have any luck with getting rid of the knots?

Massage Junkie

For several days now, my body has felt like it is coursing with poison. My limbs feel heavy and my body feels toxic. I get this feeling often. It's my body's way of letting me know that it needs more help with detoxing. I do spend a lot of time detoxing, but when I get that icky feeling, I know my body needs a little more help and it's time to schedule a massage ASAP.

(Click for photo credit)

My friend came over in the evening yesterday and gave me a massage. I cannot emphasize enough how crucial massage has been in helping my Lyme disease recovery. I truly would not be here without it. I have heard that many people with Lyme disease Herx from massages, because it releases toxins into the body. In my experience, if I get weekly massages, I do not Herx from them. If I spread it out farther than that, I do occasionally Herx, but not very often.

If I'm feeling bad, having a massage once a week really recharges my batteries. If I'm feeling great, twice a month seems to be perfect for keeping me going strong. There have been numerous times when massage has taken my pain from a ten to a zero, and for that I am forever grateful.

The physical and mental anguish of Lyme disease is a heavy--sometimes, unbearable--load for those of us with this disease, and to have something like massage that can temporarily relieve us of that burden feels like nothing short of a miracle. Massage therapy has given me my life back!