quote=aryan]
After unsuccessful RT last year, I have been having massage therapy for DD with Stephen Jeffrey. After only three very relaxing and holistic treatments I am already feeling the benefits. The nodules on both hands have softened and flattened and there is no sign of progression and no new nodules. The aching and stiffness which I think were side effects from RT is also getting better.

I am feeling really encouraged and for the first time in months I have stopped obsessing so much about my hands! I only wish I had opted for massage therapy as my first line of treatment when I was initially diagnosed.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if massage therapy, the most non-invasive and benign of treatments, could stop the progress of DD and minimise nodules?

I will report my progress.

aryan



Hi Everyone

just an update on my massage therapy. Nodules are still flattening and softening and my hands are beginning to feel more like they used to before DD. Stephen uses very specific massage techniques and the treatment seems to be working for me. I'd love to hear of anyone else's experience with massage.

I'm feeling slightly apprehensive at the moment as I have spent half a day throwing pots on the wheel and kneading large lumps of clay. I hope I haven't over done it. But how long can you go on treating your hands like precious bits of porcelain?!

aryan

I hope massage continues to work for you, Aryan. I don't think it would have helped mine.

Good luck with your RT Dottyhand. RT was only minimally successful for me as nodules popped up both during and after treatment. But I think that is probably because I had RT too early.

Massage seems to be saving my hands from further progression and is making the nodules much softer and flatter. Maybe they will disappear - I don't know yet. I certainly don't feel that it is only a temporary improvement.

This massage treatment is quite deep and intense - my therapist doesn't just 'waft around' and I hope the nodules are getting the message that they are 'inappropriate' - they seem to be thinking about it anyway!

Aryan

Hi spanishbuddha

My nodules were initially quite painful when I first noticed them last year but both the RT treated ones and those that appeared after RT have become much less painful over time - they now just feel irritated sometimes.

There is quite a lot of pressure involved during my massage treatment but for it to have any effect on the nodules this feels completely right and it never reaches a painful level.

aryan

ndimare,

Does this "lump" bother you? The advice you were given wasn't bad advice. You can keep an eye on the "lump" and if there is much change, you might start to consider RT. Massaging it may make it worse/more active.