a new client came to me yesterday with muscle spasm in her neck, she has been on painkillers from the doctor for past 3 weeks and it hasn't got any better. Its down her neck into shoulder (sternocleidomastoid area).
She couldn't lie on her stomach so I had to do a massage with her sitting on the couch. I used ginger and clary sage essential oils, and heated towels to warm the area for 40 minutes, then I tackled her neck, shoulder, spine, sciatic nerve, arm/knee/hip areas on her feet via reflexology.
She's coming back on Friday for another treatment but I've urged her to go back to her doctor's and see if she can get a steroid injection.
Anyways, the reason why I'm asking, is can I do anything more for her in this next appointment. I felt ill-prepared for the inital appointment as she had put down for reflexology, so was suddenly presented with a new client with severe pain.
I was thinking of using steamed compresses, hot stones and the essential oils again. Any other suggestions gratefully received.
RE: client neck-muscle spasms
Hi Daisychain,
i would steer clear of the steroidal injection, if non steroidal anti inflams havent worked there are far more options than this invasive treatment, I would need to know more details about how it happened etc before offering advice, if SCM is caus$ing problems does client get headaches and is lev scap affected.
Regards
Gaz
RE: client neck-muscle spasms
she said she is having headaches.
she said she woke up and had the problem. has been on painkillers and anti-inflamms for 3 weeks and the GP has said it will naturally ease off, but she is still in as much pain as she was 3 weeks ago, thats why I though the steroid injection would help.
it is (not sure about tech terms) but the pain runs up her upper spine into her neck and side of neck to shoulder (hence thinking SCM). when I did the massage she said I hit the spot running from back of base of neck inline with spine (top of trapezius).
RE: client neck-muscle spasms
You could try placing the client on her back and supporting her head in the palm of your hand while you gently massage all the neck muscles with your free hand. When massaging the sternocleid muscles either side, squeeze and stretch slightly ( like a mini pick-up with finger and thumb) You could then use pressure points under the occipital and all along the base of the skull moving down the neck and across the shoulders.
I've woke up with a bad neck myself and found Ibrofen gel works wonders
RE: client neck-muscle spasms
the problem is she can't get down on the massage couch so I've been doing her treatments with her sitting bolt upright.
she came back for her second treatment with a big grin on her face and looking 10 years younger. She said she still had pain but generally in the morning when she just got up and it was stacks better. She wanted to book up again but I've given her an appointment for 10 days time.
I'm using clary sage, ginger and this time I used bergamot too. I'm using steamed compresses (thanks reikidave) and hot stones. She says its the hot stones that do it for her!