Massage Therapy and SMA

I wrote an article talking about the benefits I have been experiencing from stretching. I also had a long run at receiving massage therapy.

Again I’m not a doctor so I want to encourage anyone who has SMA to consult with your doctor before starting massage therapy.

Trying Pfrimmer® massage with SMA

I learned about Pfrimmer® massage when an old employer brought in a massage therapist for a day of chair massages for everyone in the office. Now if anyone has seen the contraption massage therapists use to give chair massages, you know that those things are virtually impossible to get in or out of if you have SMA.

I was still ambulatory at this point, however, getting up from a seated position was difficult and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to get out of the massage chair.

When the therapist met me, she could tell I had physical issues. I told her that I had muscular dystrophy and I wasn’t going to be able to get out of the massage chair. 

I chose to sit in a regular chair by the conference table. She asked me if she could try this new technique she recently learned. It was supposed to be good for people with neuromuscular diseases.

Having never had a massage in my life, I said go for it. It felt really good. We only got 15 minutes each.

Home massage therapy

That evening I went home and googled "Pfrimmer® Massage." The website listed trained therapists and I was lucky to find one in my town. This started my 15-year relationship with Lisa.

Lisa had a portable massage table and was able to come to my home to do the massage therapy. I liked about Lisa because she went to school for physical therapy. This provided me comfort that she had an idea of my physical limitations.

Benefits of massage as SMA progressed

As my SMA progressed, I found myself sitting for longer periods of time. Lisa would come to my house every 2 weeks and I would always feel so much better afterward.

When I started massage therapy I was still working full time. Those evenings after a massage I always slept more soundly. I found that my feet stayed warmer. The massage was definitely helping my circulation.

Right before the pandemic Lisa developed some health problems and had to stop her massage therapy business. It’s been 2 years since I have had a Pfrimmer® massage.

I know most people consider massage therapy to be a luxury. The majority of us do get through life without a massage. However, over the last 2 years, I have definitely felt a difference in my body.

Finding trained professionals

My girlfriend will give me a massage during some of our stretching routines and it feels good. However, it’s not the same as a professional who is trained in massage.

This is something I’m eager to start again. I personally have felt the benefits of Pfrimmer® massage. I would encourage you to at least read about it. Hopefully, you can find a therapist who lives near you who is trained in this type of massage.

I would be interested in hearing from others who have added regular massage therapy to your routine. What type of massage do you like? What benefits have you found for yourself?