Do you disclose PTSD for a massage?

[piratelady]

he almost got decked

I wish I could be that strong :)

 

[whiteraven]

I always do. I don't have a problem with touch, but I never know when something else will trigger me. I had my first major flashback while on the table. It didn't have anything to do with being touched, but rather with lying on my back.

 

[blackemerald1]

If you carry your stress in your shoulders, neck and upper back - I think it would be useful to tell him those are the areas that need the most attention.

But maybe hold off on the why or the ptsd part? That's what I do anyway because (and I know this will not happen with you) - I don't want to engage in a discussion about ptsd etc., bc it just makes me tense when I am trying to let go of stress - during the massage.

But if you did want to discuss ptsd with him you could tell him.
I'm just shy of disclosing it...to anyone really.

 

[Nessa7]

There are two reasons that I might disclose to someone giving me a massage. The first, which I don't think would apply in this situation since there's already a level of trust from yoga, is to reinforce that if I say no to something that I am most likely not going to be open to much negotiation. Disclosing can be a quicker way of making it clear that I might have different and stronger boundaries than the average person.

The second is that someone like a massage therapist or yoga instructor can in a way be a part of my support network. Sometimes that information can help them do their jobs better and have me get more out of it.

 

[Skywatcher]

Just the thought of a massage causes me stress. I’ve been reading this post and finding the need for some self care, which is ironic. I have disclosed ptsd to some doctors (like my gynecologist). I asked the assistant to not put it in my chart and she told me she had too, but then when the nurse practitioner came in (that I have known for many years) my appointment was so kind and gentle, extra sensitive. So... if you disclose, make sure it is something that you are okay with having in your record.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

I disclosed to my massage therapist during our initial consultation due to knowing how uncomfortable I was being naked in a room with a stranger/because I can't handle touch when I'm not expecting it - so it took a while for me to relax/I sometimes have to frequently adjust my position, especially when lying face down, due to past experiences/I have to adjust the cover on the head rest due to feeling like I'm being suffocated if it gets anywhere close to my nose - especially when the lymph fluid is draining in full force/I tend to get highly emotional when feeling so tenderly, gently, and sincerely cared for/etc.. She's become one of my greatest healing allies and I'm glad I shared.

In between appointments (once a month), I also use a racquetball (tennis balls are too slick and won't stay in place) to do a ball against the wall massage, especially in the shoulder blade areas. Hot epsom salt baths/various therapeutic (to me) oils applied to neck and shoulder and other painful areas/nightly self-given foot and hand massages/magnesium gel/topical cbd oil/heating pad/hot showers/restorative yoga poses/etc. are some other methods of tension and pain relief. It takes quite a village to help me try to better live with myself.

 

[piratelady]

Thanks everyone! Your input was really helpful.

uncomfortable I was being naked in a room with a stranger/because I can't handle touch when I'm not expecting it - so it took a while for me to relax/I sometimes have to frequently adjust my position, especially when lying face down, due to past experiences

I think I'll have these problems too. I don't think I'll flinch or flail around, but I know I'll tense up, it's probably best he know why. So I think I'm going to disclose it. I do trust him. I've known him for a couple months, but a couple of my friends have known him for a few years. I think he'll be respectful and then he'll know for yoga too in case something goes awry during that.

There is also a picture of the front and back of a body so you can mark areas that you have pain or "stress" not sure what they mean by stress, but I marked my neck and shoulders so he knows it's an issue. You can mark "do not touch" areas on there too, but the only areas he shouldn't touch are areas they don't massage anyway, so I think that will be fine.

In between appointments (once a month), I also use a racquetball (tennis balls are too slick and won't stay in place) to do a ball against the wall massage, especially in the shoulder blade areas. Hot epsom salt baths/various therapeutic (to me) oils applied to neck and shoulder and other painful areas/nightly self-given foot and hand massages/magnesium gel/topical cbd oil/heating pad/hot showers/restorative yoga poses/etc. are some other methods of tension and pain relief. It takes quite a village to help me try to better live with myself.

These all sound really helpful! I think I'm going to try to incorporate some of them into my routine :)

 

[knuckles]

This may not apply to you at all (hopefully not), but I'll share a word of caution.
Years ago, when I had recurring issues with tension in my neck, shoulders and upper back I went to a physiotherapist. In hindsight it was not good for me. I didn't (or couldn't) tell the therapist to stop, when it got to be too uncomfortable - I forced myself to endure. In the last session she started doing some fascie-releasing therapy on my upper back, and even though it felt like she was tearing apart something essential, I couldn't tell her to stop. But my body did. When it felt like her hands started to reach down into my back my entire upper body jolted (I imagine it must have looked like when they use a defibrillator in films - only I was face down) and she stumbled backwards. I never went back after that.
What I came to believe was that in some way, that tension was functioning as a sort of armor for me. Trying to forcefully manipulate it to make it go away was not beneficial to me.
Since then my aversion to being touched has gotten very strong, so massage is not relevant for me. When someday I can tolerate touch, I think I would try to look into craniosacral therapy or something similarly gentle. At such time I might consider telling the therapist about low tolerance for sudden touch, light pressure, hard pressure or whatever I would know could possibly trigger a reaction. But I don't think I would disclose any diagnose, as I'm not sure that in and of itself would be relevant.

 

[piratelady]

I wanted to give an update. I decided against disclosing the PTSD. I’m sure he saw my scars, but didn’t say anything and it wasn’t awkward at all.

The massage was by far the best massage I’ve ever had! My trapezius muscles are apparently the ones that always get tight (or so I’ve been told lol). Previously when I’ve gotten a massage, I leave and it’s better but if you touched my back between my shoulder blades, even lightly, it would hurt. Not the case this time, I’m not 100% better, but my shoulders can move without being in pain and it doesn’t hurt to be touched.

He told me it’s pretty common for massage therapists to go too deep, but it’s not necessary. I’m a believer now.

Anyway, I guess the lesson is if you get a good and experienced massage therapist it doesn’t have to be painful or traumatic.

 

[EveHarrington]

I just found my goose bumps massage balls. They can get in between my shoulder blades. I’m so tight that my hands were tingling today. These did the trick! Just be sure to use them on the floor (if by yourself) or when someone else gives you a massage. They WILL damage drywall (LOL). They’re pretty spiky but can really work on those bad knots. I have no idea where you can get them....I bought mine at a thrift store for $0.25. :-)

 

[flowerapple]

I do disclose it. I don't know if it changes anything, but I also feel like it is probably not the first that they have dealt with someone with it too. And it's not like I have to tell them why I have it or anything. I really do it as a precaution.

 

[grit]

Because my muscles stuck on defense mode for so long, the massage therapist knows this is not a normal muscle tightness anyways cause I did not do anything to get this way! so I never said i have ptsd but i did mention I am dealing with trauma. I think it is OK to be honest with health practitioners so they can adapt to your body. I believe she probably touches me with the intention of not trying to trigger my body so if I feel pain she is very comforting and understanding and does not push.