Chapter Two: Shiatsu Massage Saved My Legs
1840 words
On Friday May 9, in order to relax (per Doctor’s orders!) I decided to get a Shiatsu massage at the Kabuki Hot Springs. After undressing I was led to a square blue tiled pool where the kindly Masseuse bathed me with a large, soft sponge, pouring tepid water over me from a bucket. Then she helped me into the steam machine where I was left to “cook” and relax.
Then I was led to the sauna where I lounged for about 10 minutes, luxuriating in
the wood scented dry heat. Finally, thoroughly heated and relaxed, she
treated me to a massage with her firm competent hands. The tensions of the
previous months flowed out of me. Shiatsu works down the bands of muscles
parallel to the spine which I know contain the “Bladder” meridian in Oriental medicine.
I now believe this massage actually stopped the MS attack. I felt transformed, so wonderful, a sense of total relief. I returned home in a cab and went to bed. Walking into my building I met one of the tenants from across the street and I told him I couldn’t help them anymore with the Condominium conversion
project, I was too sick. I had to let everything go.
Then I totally fell apart. My nervous system seemed to run wild, all the symptoms of burning, tingling, pins and needles, paralysis and shroudlike chill were in full
throttle.
I couldn’t understand why I felt so much better on the one hand and so much worse on the other.
I now realize it was the heat of the steam bath/sauna which exacerbated the symptoms of nerves exposed by the MS “attack”. Yet I now believe the massage stopped the blood reflux – hence the attack – though it would take time to become apparent.
This relief came perhaps 24 days after the first hint of neurological symptoms, the burning sensation on my right neck. (To this day that particular sympton signals stress.)
A deep tissue massage releases toxins embedded in the muscles so that generally one feels terrible the following day. I felt terrible all week-end and on Monday May 12 I saw the Neurologist in the clinic for a scheduled appointment. I still
felt lousy, was frustrated and frightened. He dully listened to me as I described the exacerbation of my symptoms, making no move to examine me. It was obvious he took me for an hysteric. I burst into tears. “What’s this?” he sneered. I was angry. “I am sick and you are well, at least you could be more gracious about it.”
He finally rose to examine me and as he worked his attitude changed, he grew more intent. He took my reflexes, asked me to reach out my arms in various ways, to perform certain manipulations. He asked me to touch my finger to my nose and then reach his own finger which he held at arm’s length away to the side. I performed this
several times and then he asked me to repeat the procedure with my eyes closed. To my horror, I couldn’t find his finger. He examined my legs as well, asking me to balance on one leg and to walk heel to toe, among other things.
The examination completed ; he told me there appeared to be some involvement with the brain and would order various diagnostic tests including a CAT brain scan and an EEG electrical brain scan. (The MRI which registers plaques on the brain wasn’t available at the time.)
As luck would have it, entries in my journal corresponded to my medical record which I obtained many years later. The Neurologist had begun to consider MS or a Brain Tumor and ordered a CT scan (which would be Normal) and an EEG (EEG report of May 14 “motor and sensory disorder of right body mildly abnormal, not epilectic”).
What strikes me here is that by May 14 “patient seems better” in spite of the fact I had undergone a CAT scan and EEG which normally would have further stressed my condition. To me this implies the Shiatsu massage really had stopped the attack. The lab tests may have delayed my recovery, but the worst was over.
Wed May 21 I visited the Neurologist again. He was considering a Prednisone trial if the problem increased and requested my return in 2 to 3 weeks admonishing me to « take it easy.”
This is the first mention of Prednisone in his notes, an anti-inflammatory Cortisone which was the treatment of choice at the time. However, he didn't mention any treatment that spring. Apparently contrary to his expectations, my condition began to improve.
I next visited the Neurologist on June 10. He told me mine was an unusual case he would like to present to a famous British Neurologist who would be giving a “master” class the following week at the HMO. Perhaps he could cast light on my problem. I agreed to come. My Doctor
was unusually civil when he made this request.
On Monday June 16 my Dr was pleased to see me.when I arrived at the hospital. Dr. Pallis stood at the head of a classroom of white coated
Doctors before a chalk board and asked me to sit on a small grey folding chair. He asked me to perform certain manipulations with my arms and hands after which he asked me to remove my boots to continue the examination of my legs and feet. He then drew on the board a tube like structure, making a partial “bite” out of it, explaining that this was an unusual case since the lesions didn’t go all the way through as evidenced by the fact that the right leg was not affected like the right hand. (I
reflected that if they had, I would have been unable to walk. I can’t recall his exact words.) He then turned towards me and very assertively said that I would entirely recover save for some residual clumsiness in my right hand. Just as assertively I
insisted “When?”which caused the class to chuckle. “In a few months” he answered
before abruptly dismissing me.
I left somewhat offended and discouraged. On arriving at the hospital I must have been feeling reasonably well since I had taken the bus to get there. On leaving I felt much worse and as I walked home from the bus stop my legs were heavy as though I was pushing through 4 feet of water.
Translation, the encounter with Dr Pallis must have stressed me and the
blood must have been backing up into my CNS. I felt I had done my
Neurologist a favour with no real benefit to myself.
Today, 42 years later, I can see the benefit. I am proud to have been examined by a
world famous Neurologist, especially since I agree generally with his
political values (after a look at his obituary). And I’m convinced his
analysis was the right one. My Neurologist wrote that Dr. Pallis thought I
had a spinal cord lesion (which is what he must have drawn on the board.) The consensus was that MS was likely, though a parainfection
process was still possible.
How is it that the “attack”didn’t “eat through” the entire spinal cord which would have left me unable to walk? My answer. The Shiatsu massage of May 9.
My notes show that when I went to the Emergency room on May 2 my upper spine burned fiercely. After the massage I felt a total relief, even though the heat triggered off symptoms for a few days. The massage must have stopped the blood reflux onto the spinal cord. By May 14, even though I had undergone a CAT scan and EEG
(which normally would have worsened my condition) I was feeling better.
By mid June I believe my husband and I had found a house to
buy and our move in date was set for August 1. It amazes me I was able to
prospect for a house and deal with myriad details (and yes, stress) given that
my right arm was near useless. I don’t think I felt confident enough to drive, I made
appointments and then my husband and I looked at the real estate after work.
On July 15 I visited the Neurologist again. I had improved with no new symptoms and the right arm sensory disturbance had slowly resolved. I was to return in 3 weeks, avoiding fatigue. He was considering MS in his notes.
On July 29 I visited the Gynecologist who noted that I felt generally well and
had only residual endometriosis. Though the Sonogram results had revealed 2 “nodes” on
the lower right quadrant (1.5cm and 2.5 cm long) he said nothing. This chronic infection/irritation would not be treated until 1997 in France.
By early July 1980 I had recovered from the April-May crisis. I then made a
terrible mistake. If I had rested and done everything possible to recover my
strength and health I believe I could have avoided any further MS attacks. I’ve
been told one can have one attack and never another which seems plausible. (Dr.
Pallis appears to have been operating on this idea.) If an acute stress can force the blood back up into the central nervous system, it’s possible one may never suffer
another incident like that, hence never another attack. I should have been
told that I had suffered a potentially serious disorder and should avoid
strenuous activity for at least a year.
Early July the owner of a boutique on Polk Street said their rental would be available as of September 1 and were we interested. My husband wanted me to open a French
perfume shop and we had asked the owners to reserve the space. The decision
upon us, I had great misgivings. My husband’s uncle during our visit to France the previous spring had told him opening a shop was a terrible idea and tried to dissuade him. He said “You have a beautiful young wife and a good income as an Engineer. Why are you doing this? You are going to ruin your life.” His uncle was right. My husband wanted a business importing French products. I told him of my misgivings but he insisted on going ahead. I consulted the I Ching: The Book of Change (translated and edited by John Blofeld) which warned
"Hexagram 36: Darkening of Light, Injury."
Yes, it would be exactly that. Running a business is difficult enough, but what made the perfume business particularly dangerous for me was the TOXICITY factor. I
would be bathed in toxic fumes all day (agreeable as the scents might be) and this toxicity created a terrible stress with predictable results.
The lesson of Chapter 2 is that I inadvertently saved my legs by
getting a Shiatsu massage. I believe any deep tissue massage would have done. If I had avoided the heat of the steam bath and sauna, I could have avoided the temporary
nervous system aggravation. My Neurologist was puzzled, he was getting ready to
launch me into steroid treatment, but then the whole process stopped. No one
asked if I had done anything to arrive at this.
I now believe at the first onset of MS symptoms one should get a massage. Why not? I can’t see any possible harm, and the benefits may be beyond anyone’s expectations.
.
1840 words
On Friday May 9, in order to relax (per Doctor’s orders!) I decided to get a Shiatsu massage at the Kabuki Hot Springs. After undressing I was led to a square blue tiled pool where the kindly Masseuse bathed me with a large, soft sponge, pouring tepid water over me from a bucket. Then she helped me into the steam machine where I was left to “cook” and relax.
Then I was led to the sauna where I lounged for about 10 minutes, luxuriating in
the wood scented dry heat. Finally, thoroughly heated and relaxed, she
treated me to a massage with her firm competent hands. The tensions of the
previous months flowed out of me. Shiatsu works down the bands of muscles
parallel to the spine which I know contain the “Bladder” meridian in Oriental medicine.
I now believe this massage actually stopped the MS attack. I felt transformed, so wonderful, a sense of total relief. I returned home in a cab and went to bed. Walking into my building I met one of the tenants from across the street and I told him I couldn’t help them anymore with the Condominium conversion
project, I was too sick. I had to let everything go.
Then I totally fell apart. My nervous system seemed to run wild, all the symptoms of burning, tingling, pins and needles, paralysis and shroudlike chill were in full
throttle.
I couldn’t understand why I felt so much better on the one hand and so much worse on the other.
I now realize it was the heat of the steam bath/sauna which exacerbated the symptoms of nerves exposed by the MS “attack”. Yet I now believe the massage stopped the blood reflux – hence the attack – though it would take time to become apparent.
This relief came perhaps 24 days after the first hint of neurological symptoms, the burning sensation on my right neck. (To this day that particular sympton signals stress.)
A deep tissue massage releases toxins embedded in the muscles so that generally one feels terrible the following day. I felt terrible all week-end and on Monday May 12 I saw the Neurologist in the clinic for a scheduled appointment. I still
felt lousy, was frustrated and frightened. He dully listened to me as I described the exacerbation of my symptoms, making no move to examine me. It was obvious he took me for an hysteric. I burst into tears. “What’s this?” he sneered. I was angry. “I am sick and you are well, at least you could be more gracious about it.”
He finally rose to examine me and as he worked his attitude changed, he grew more intent. He took my reflexes, asked me to reach out my arms in various ways, to perform certain manipulations. He asked me to touch my finger to my nose and then reach his own finger which he held at arm’s length away to the side. I performed this
several times and then he asked me to repeat the procedure with my eyes closed. To my horror, I couldn’t find his finger. He examined my legs as well, asking me to balance on one leg and to walk heel to toe, among other things.
The examination completed ; he told me there appeared to be some involvement with the brain and would order various diagnostic tests including a CAT brain scan and an EEG electrical brain scan. (The MRI which registers plaques on the brain wasn’t available at the time.)
As luck would have it, entries in my journal corresponded to my medical record which I obtained many years later. The Neurologist had begun to consider MS or a Brain Tumor and ordered a CT scan (which would be Normal) and an EEG (EEG report of May 14 “motor and sensory disorder of right body mildly abnormal, not epilectic”).
What strikes me here is that by May 14 “patient seems better” in spite of the fact I had undergone a CAT scan and EEG which normally would have further stressed my condition. To me this implies the Shiatsu massage really had stopped the attack. The lab tests may have delayed my recovery, but the worst was over.
Wed May 21 I visited the Neurologist again. He was considering a Prednisone trial if the problem increased and requested my return in 2 to 3 weeks admonishing me to « take it easy.”
This is the first mention of Prednisone in his notes, an anti-inflammatory Cortisone which was the treatment of choice at the time. However, he didn't mention any treatment that spring. Apparently contrary to his expectations, my condition began to improve.
I next visited the Neurologist on June 10. He told me mine was an unusual case he would like to present to a famous British Neurologist who would be giving a “master” class the following week at the HMO. Perhaps he could cast light on my problem. I agreed to come. My Doctor
was unusually civil when he made this request.
On Monday June 16 my Dr was pleased to see me.when I arrived at the hospital. Dr. Pallis stood at the head of a classroom of white coated
Doctors before a chalk board and asked me to sit on a small grey folding chair. He asked me to perform certain manipulations with my arms and hands after which he asked me to remove my boots to continue the examination of my legs and feet. He then drew on the board a tube like structure, making a partial “bite” out of it, explaining that this was an unusual case since the lesions didn’t go all the way through as evidenced by the fact that the right leg was not affected like the right hand. (I
reflected that if they had, I would have been unable to walk. I can’t recall his exact words.) He then turned towards me and very assertively said that I would entirely recover save for some residual clumsiness in my right hand. Just as assertively I
insisted “When?”which caused the class to chuckle. “In a few months” he answered
before abruptly dismissing me.
I left somewhat offended and discouraged. On arriving at the hospital I must have been feeling reasonably well since I had taken the bus to get there. On leaving I felt much worse and as I walked home from the bus stop my legs were heavy as though I was pushing through 4 feet of water.
Translation, the encounter with Dr Pallis must have stressed me and the
blood must have been backing up into my CNS. I felt I had done my
Neurologist a favour with no real benefit to myself.
Today, 42 years later, I can see the benefit. I am proud to have been examined by a
world famous Neurologist, especially since I agree generally with his
political values (after a look at his obituary). And I’m convinced his
analysis was the right one. My Neurologist wrote that Dr. Pallis thought I
had a spinal cord lesion (which is what he must have drawn on the board.) The consensus was that MS was likely, though a parainfection
process was still possible.
How is it that the “attack”didn’t “eat through” the entire spinal cord which would have left me unable to walk? My answer. The Shiatsu massage of May 9.
My notes show that when I went to the Emergency room on May 2 my upper spine burned fiercely. After the massage I felt a total relief, even though the heat triggered off symptoms for a few days. The massage must have stopped the blood reflux onto the spinal cord. By May 14, even though I had undergone a CAT scan and EEG
(which normally would have worsened my condition) I was feeling better.
By mid June I believe my husband and I had found a house to
buy and our move in date was set for August 1. It amazes me I was able to
prospect for a house and deal with myriad details (and yes, stress) given that
my right arm was near useless. I don’t think I felt confident enough to drive, I made
appointments and then my husband and I looked at the real estate after work.
On July 15 I visited the Neurologist again. I had improved with no new symptoms and the right arm sensory disturbance had slowly resolved. I was to return in 3 weeks, avoiding fatigue. He was considering MS in his notes.
On July 29 I visited the Gynecologist who noted that I felt generally well and
had only residual endometriosis. Though the Sonogram results had revealed 2 “nodes” on
the lower right quadrant (1.5cm and 2.5 cm long) he said nothing. This chronic infection/irritation would not be treated until 1997 in France.
By early July 1980 I had recovered from the April-May crisis. I then made a
terrible mistake. If I had rested and done everything possible to recover my
strength and health I believe I could have avoided any further MS attacks. I’ve
been told one can have one attack and never another which seems plausible. (Dr.
Pallis appears to have been operating on this idea.) If an acute stress can force the blood back up into the central nervous system, it’s possible one may never suffer
another incident like that, hence never another attack. I should have been
told that I had suffered a potentially serious disorder and should avoid
strenuous activity for at least a year.
Early July the owner of a boutique on Polk Street said their rental would be available as of September 1 and were we interested. My husband wanted me to open a French
perfume shop and we had asked the owners to reserve the space. The decision
upon us, I had great misgivings. My husband’s uncle during our visit to France the previous spring had told him opening a shop was a terrible idea and tried to dissuade him. He said “You have a beautiful young wife and a good income as an Engineer. Why are you doing this? You are going to ruin your life.” His uncle was right. My husband wanted a business importing French products. I told him of my misgivings but he insisted on going ahead. I consulted the I Ching: The Book of Change (translated and edited by John Blofeld) which warned
"Hexagram 36: Darkening of Light, Injury."
Yes, it would be exactly that. Running a business is difficult enough, but what made the perfume business particularly dangerous for me was the TOXICITY factor. I
would be bathed in toxic fumes all day (agreeable as the scents might be) and this toxicity created a terrible stress with predictable results.
The lesson of Chapter 2 is that I inadvertently saved my legs by
getting a Shiatsu massage. I believe any deep tissue massage would have done. If I had avoided the heat of the steam bath and sauna, I could have avoided the temporary
nervous system aggravation. My Neurologist was puzzled, he was getting ready to
launch me into steroid treatment, but then the whole process stopped. No one
asked if I had done anything to arrive at this.
I now believe at the first onset of MS symptoms one should get a massage. Why not? I can’t see any possible harm, and the benefits may be beyond anyone’s expectations.
.