Massage for Spinal Stenosis
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Massage for Spinal Stenosis
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Pain in Joints

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Massage for Spinal Stenosis

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Spinal Stenosis

Massage For Spinal Stenosis – What Is Spinal Stenosis And Is It Critical

Spinal stenosis occurs when the space[s] inside the backbone are too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine. Massage for spinal stenosis happens most often in the lower back and the neck.

Some people with spinal stenosis have no symptoms but others experience pain, numbness and muscle weakness. Symptoms can get worse over time. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is wear-and-tear damage in the spine related to arthritis. People who have serious spinal stenosis may need surgery. But in the meantime, massage for spinal stenosis can DEF give relief! See below for more details.

Surgery is sometimes considered an option. But, if your healthcare provider has told you that your spinal stenosis is not too bad, there are several self care techniques that you can do to help yourself. This approach can possibly give you some relief without going to the expensive alternative of surgery – and there’s no recovery time from self help!!

Self Care For Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis self-care strategies including regular exercise, posture changes, and adopting healthy habits that can help relieve back pain caused by the narrowing spaces in the spinal canal. For helping to correct your posture, therapeutic bodywork is a must! A knowledgeable practitioner is NECESSARY to give you satisfactory results! For my contact info, see below: “How I Do Massage for Spinal Stenosis.”

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a progressive condition that can get worse over time, so it’s important to know what self-care strategies can be helpful as well as what things you should avoid doing that may worsen your condition: 1] Exercise: moderate, low-impact exercise (such as swimming, water exercise, walking, and cycling on level surfaces) as well as exercises to build abdominal and hip strength can support your spine.

In the past, many specialists prescribed only flexion exercises for people with spinal stenosis. Flexion exercises bend the spine forward. Bending forward increases the diameter of your spinal canal. Creating more space in your spinal canal takes pressure off the nerves in your spine. Today, it is more common to also include exercises that allow you to bend backward too.

How I Do Massage For Spinal Stenosis

Massage for spinal stenosis needs to be very skilled and pin-pointed. Because the spine has restrictions in the spaces between the discs and there’s a possibility that some nerves are “trapped” and compressed, massage needs to be done by a knowledgeable person. One possible incorrect massage technique is pressing too hard on the stenosis area. This can cause the problem to get worse!

Unfortunately, many massage therapists like to do “deep tissue” to get “more” benefit for their client. You don’t want this with spinal stenosis! It can aggravate your stenosis and make it worse! This type of massage practitioner can do good massage but not if they use deep tissue in the wrong place!

My approach to bodywork is slow, intentional, intuitive and specific to what is ACTUALLY HAPPENING in your body. So if a massage practitioner has a “standard” procedure they use for most sessions – that won’t work very well for spinal stenosis. You are welcome to contact me for a free initial consultation! tpett.ortho.massage@gmail.com. Contact form

How Critical Is Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis can be mild or it can be pretty severe! It occurs mainly in the neck area or the low back. If you have undiagnosed pain in either of those areas, consult your healthcare provider for an evaluation. And, here’s a good link about Spinal Stenosis:

Symptoms of Severe Spinal Stenosis: when spinal stenosis progresses to the severe stage, there has been a substantial narrowing of the spinal canal. This can occur due to several different factors but is most commonly caused by degeneration of the discs, vertebrae, and spinal ligaments. As we age, the spinal column can lose its structural integrity and put a great deal of pressure on the nerves.

What is The Prognosis For Spinal Stenosis

The prognosis (outlook) for spinal stenosis varies based on several factors: 1] its location; 2] its severity; 3] your overall health. In most cases, the prognosis for spinal stenosis is good. Many people with spinal stenosis can live full and active lives with nonsurgical treatment. But it’s important to remember that spinal stenosis affects each person differently, so not every treatment works for everyone.

In severe cases, spinal stenosis can cause a loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence). It can also cause sexual dysfunction due to nerve issues, like erectile dysfunction or anorgasmia.

Massage For Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis can certainly be a difficult factor in your life! It can be intensely painful – which might overshadow your daily life! It can dominate how you live your life. Regardless of its intensity, you can always contact me for a bodywork treatment to get as much relief as possible! Massage for spinal stenosis. The 1st consultation is always free. tpett.ortho.massage@gmail.com

A person having a neck massage, Massage For Pain Relief

Woman sitting on a massage table receiving massage for Stenosis.

Massage For SI Joint Pain – What Is the “SI” Joint and How Can Massage Help?

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Before we get into the topic of “massage for SI joint pain” I’m going to talk about what an “SI” joint is. The SI joint is an important part of the pelvis! It is so important that it is considered critical to the well-being of the whole hip area. If the SI joint is “out,” you will know because it has a lot of nerves that will send pain signals. I will show you a deeper look into what exactly the SI joint is. And, I’ll show you why it’s sooo important, and why it can cause A LOT of pain.

The hips are considered a transition area of the body: the transition of the upper body to the lower body. The weight of the upper body transfers down to the SI joint. Anatomically, the body is built to take that weight at the SI joint as a way to integrate the weight into the lower body. Massage for SI joint pain relief is an effective way to evaluate your condition and offer treatment. But let’s take a look at the SI anatomy 1st.

So, the SI joint is a very important area of the hips! But why can it cause a lot of pain in that area? Besides the fact that it carries the weight of the upper body, the SI joint is highly innervated . . . meaning there are a LOT of nerves there! So, even if it’s slightly misaligned, there will be pain!

Massage For SI Joint Pain: Signs and Symptoms of SIJ Dysfunction

SIJ dysfunction is sometimes hard to distinguish from other lower back problems, including piriformis syndrome and sciatic pain. However, there are several things typically associated with SIJ problems:
1] A dull, unilateral [one-sided] low back pain that worsens when getting up from a seated position or climbing stairs
2] The pain may be referred [located elsewhere] to the hip, groin, or upper portion of the leg.
3] Pain and stiffness of the lower back, usually on one side, increasing with prolonged sitting or walking. So, massage for SI joint pain is a good way to get an evaluation of your condition along with treatment. I’ve dealt with SI joint conditions with many clients. And, there’s a special technique I use to re-align the SI joints [there’s 1 of each side of your lower back/sacrum area]. See below – under “How I Treat SI Joint Problems.”

What Causes SI Joint Dysfunction and Pain?

Like many joints in the body, the SIJ’s have cartilage. This allows for a bit of movement and acts as a kind of shock absorber between the bones that the cartilage connects. The cartilage can wear away or otherwise get damaged. This causes the bones to rub directly against each other and pain will develop along with [possibly] osteoarthritis. Other conditions affecting the SIJ include:

1] Pregnancy – Giving birth also has a link to SIJ disorder. The hormone, relaxin, is released during pregnancy, easing the tension in ligaments as a preparation for delivery. This, combined with the added weight and altered gait associated with pregnancy, contributes to problems with the SIJ.

2] Having one leg longer than the other – can cause problems. This condition causes an abnormal walking pattern which, in turn, increases stress on the joint. This can often be addressed by the use of orthotics (special shoes or shoe inserts prescribed by a podiatrist).

3] Trauma – [such as falling hard on the buttocks] can often result in SIJ dysfunction. The impact could dislodge or move the SI joint[s] and then, of course, there will be pain. But, even if this happens, it can be relieved by a skilled massage practitioner! Massage for SI joint pain is a real option – and a very relaxing one at that!

How I Treat SI Joint Problems

The 1st thing I do is to assess if the problem REALLY IS the SI joint!! There are a lot of causes of pain and dysfunction in the lower back area! Have a look at this article about Lower Back Pain.

There are several techniques to assess SI joint pain – but there’s a treatment process that’s not that well known. And it treats on “the whole enchilada!” Once I determine the problem is the SIJ, massage for SI joint pain is the next step. The 2 joints themselves are part of a 3rd joint in the hips that’s often overlooked. And if that 3rd joint isn’t adjusted as well, the problem won’t be fixed!

The process of massage for SI joint pain relief involves the adjustment of all 3 joints in the hips. The 3rd hip joint is different than the SI’s. The technique is quite simple . . . it’s just not very well known by normal massage practitioners. There’s no fault there – this knowledge is more for advanced therapists. Feel free to contact me Here.

At the beginning of a treatment, I will give you a brief description of the massage for SI joint pain technique. As always you will be fully clothed when working with me. And you will be lying on your back on the table with your feet up [knees pointing toward the ceiling]. Then, I will rock your knees side-to-side.

The whole process is more involved but . . . please contact me for more info. We can chat about your particular situation. As always, I offer a free initial consultation – so we can discuss anything you want. To get in touch: tpett.ortho.massage@gmail.com. Remember that massage for si joint pain relief can be complicated and requires skill for the therapist.

A woman with Shoulder Pain while Pregnant

Shoulder Pain While Pregnant – Different Pain For Different Trimesters

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Shoulder pain while pregnant is not often a problem. It occurs mostly due to changes in the muscles, joints, and connective tissue. There are some minor causes that make shoulder pain worse but they are fairly easy to alleviate once you recognize them. The usual feeling of shoulder pain is a dull, achy, stiff sensation. Let’s have a look at the most common causes.

Causes of Shoulder Pain During Pregnancy

Some of the most common causes are:

  1. sleeping on your shoulder for too long at a time
  2. if you stand too long [this can also affect your lower back]
  3. straining your back can affect the shoulder because the 2 are closely connected;
  4. poor posture [even before pregnancy]

Shoulder Pain at Different Stages of Pregnancy

1st Trimester [see below if your body pain is intense]

Your body makes a hormone called relaxin that helps your body grow and change for the little one. Relaxin loosens connective tissue so that your body can expand – and that can create aches and pains. Shoulder pain while pregnant falls into this category.

2nd Trimester

As your baby grows, so do you in order to provide for the baby; you start to “show” and gain weight for a healthy pregnancy. But those changes start to effect how you stand, sit, sleep and walk. In fact, a small study showed that women in their 2nd trimester had a slower walking speed – nothing special about that, but these changes do effect the muscles in your body. Thus, your shoulders can start to hurt from these changes.

3rd Trimester

With even more changes now, the lower back is carrying a lot of the extra weight. The spine changes into what’s called an “S” curve – that includes the low back as it is more curved. This shift in structure has a ripple affect and can affect shoulder pain while pregnant.  Again, muscles and connective tissue are stretched for good reason.

More SERIOUS Shoulder Pain While Pregnant

1st Trimester

If you feel a sudden or strange pain between your shoulder and arm, you may have a condition called ectopic [or tubal] pregnancy. It’s not very common but is important to investigate due to its possible severity. See the heading below called, “If your body pain is intense.” 

You might feel shoulder pain that seems odd from this kind of pregnancy but it does happen, although infrequently. I had a client who had ectopic pregnancy but thankfully, she recovered completely and had no future complications!

2nd + 3rd Trimesters

Gallstones: although rare, it is possible to have gallstones. They may not be an issue until they get stuck in the duct or tube of your gall bladder. The pain can be intense. Preeclampsia: this serious condition is brought on by high blood pressure alongside other conditions. It usually occurs after week 20 but can be before or after delivery.  

If Your Body Pain is Intense:

If you have intense body pain anywhere in your body, it’s possible [though not likely] that your fertilized egg is somewhere other than the uterus. It might be somewhere else in the abdominal cavity. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and can be a medical emergency – you should get help immediately.

Prompt treatment of ectopic pregnancy reduces your risk of complications, increases your chances for future, healthy pregnancies, and reduces future health complications. Be sure to read this article if you think you may have an ectopic pregnancy.

Relief of Shoulder Pain while Pregnant

Massage is 1 of the best ways to quickly and effectively reduce shoulder pain! Therapeutic bodywork is also very relaxing if you get the right practitioner who is skilled and knows pregnancy massage [like, what to be cautious about]. I offer bodywork with your clothes on so you can relax and be comfortable. Check out my website and Yelp reviews

Here are a few tricks/tips you can do yourself, for relief of normal aches and pains:

  1. stretching – this is a great way to find relief. But, be sure to stretch slowly by don’t overdoing it, you certainly don’t want to stretch too far. Just go slowly for a more thorough, effective stretch. Remember that your connective tissues are already stretched a bit due to the hormone relaxin.
  2. warm baths!! This is a great way to feel wonderful and get pain relief.
  3. warm or cold compresses
  4. if the pain gets bad enough, you can ask your healthcare provider about pain meds that are safe during pregnancy
  5. posture support.This can be while sitting or sleeping. Since sleeping can be a big source of shoulder pain while pregnant, here’s a good article to read that includes whether side sleeping is better on your left or your right: Sleeping Positions in Pregnancy

When to Call your Healthcare Professional    

You should always contact your healthcare professional if you have an unusual, new, or strange symptom! You m ight not have anything unusual but maybe you do – so make the call if needed! If you think you might have an ectopic pregnancy or preeclampsia, get hold of someone immediately – especially if you have nausea or vomiting.

In Summary

https://tompettengill.com/#Contacthttps://tompettengill.com/#ContactMost pregnancies don’t have major complications so don’t be alarmed by all the details written – they are just to keep you informed in case. You know your body better than anyone else! But, you can have shoulder pain while pregnant as long as it’s merely dull and achy. And, you can always get in touch with me for advice or an appointment. You can use my Contact Form.

Also, you can read Shoulder Pain From Sleeping

Man leaning over holding his knee due to a soft tissue injury in the knee

Soft Tissue Injury in the Knee – How It Happens and How You Can Self DiagnoseYourself

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The knees are a VERY important part of the body! We use them all the time when we are out and about! Right? So if there is a soft tissue injury in the knee, it has a pretty big effect on what we can do! I mean, it’s not easy to crawl to the grocery store!!!!
But all joking aside, it is difficult to live life when we can’t walk very well – not to mention how an injury can affect the rest of the body – that’s called compensation. This whole compensation concept is a HUGE factor in therapeutic bodywork – and very important if the person receiving massage wants to REALLY make progress. But, more on that abstraction later, see below!

What Can Happen to Injure the Knee

The causes of soft tissue injury in the knee are quite numerous. Why? It’s because the knee is very complex in its nature – and for good reason. The knee has a major rotational function so the lower body can move efficiently. Perhaps this is an evolutional adaptation – to help us move faster to avoid . . . the dreaded giant Wooly Mammoth!
That’s purely conjecture on my part, not fact. But, the knee does give us the ability to move in different directions quickly! But, by moving quickly, the knee does make sacrifices . . . what are they?

How Does the Knee Help Us Move?

Obviously, the knee helps us get around: walk, run, jump, and stand. The knee also assists in balance. The surrounding muscles contract to make the knee move. We take the knee for granted because it just always does what it does so well. The knee is kinda like the hinge on a door that makes the door open and close. Likewise the knee “swings” and allows the leg to move as a whole.
The knee is the biggest joint in the body – and for good reason. It has to support the weight of the body as well as to decrease the impact of our weight when we run or jump. So really, the knee contributes to the function of the whole body by allowing us to move, move quickly and change direction [in case we’re being chased by that Wooly Mammoth!].

Anatomy of the Knee

Because the knee bears the body’s weight and is responsible for quick action, its design has to be complex! At the knee, the bone in the upper leg meets with the lower leg and this proximity has to be cushioned to prevent bone-on-bone. The knee is known to have many ligaments that stabilize it. Ligaments are fairly rigid cable-like structures attaching to bones to keep them in place with only minimal movement. And still, the knee is able to move freely – in some directions!
Common ligaments in the knee that get injured are: the ACL and the LCL [anterior cruciate ligament + lateral collateral ligament]. The ACL is the one that prevents too much front-to-back movement like a sudden, accidental stop while skiing. The LCL is the one that football players injury often because it prevents too much side-to-side movement of the knee.

But, What if . . . THERE IS . . . a Soft Tissue Injury in the Knee?

If you have an injury to your knee, try to self-diagnose what’s going on. That is the 1st line of defense. Even though knee injury can be quite complicated, you can start with a few self-examinations:

  1. Could the pain be merely from an overzealous workout or other exercise you did in the last day or 2?
  2. have you experienced a similar discomfort [pain] before – meaning it’s familiar enough that it’s nothing unusual; 3] or, is this pain different than usual?
  3. If the pain is familiar, then you could give it a day or 2 to see if it resolves. If not, you should rest your knee – and investigate what happens next. It’s possible that your knee has been injured beyond normal and you should seek help to deal with it.
  4. This is where massage therapy can assist the process. Massage therapy is a relatively inexpensive way to get professional help to start the process of rehabilitation. Visit my website to get more info about the therapeutic work I do: www.tompettengill.com You can get $20 off my usual price if you register online: https://pocketsuite.io/book/tom-pettengill

How Complicated is a Soft Tissue Injury in the Knee?

As previously mentioned, a soft tissue injury in the knee can be quite complicated! But, don’t worry yet – because it might not be complicated! The knee is an important part of the human body because it gives us that amazing ability to move, oftentimes quickly!
If you have a soft tissue injury in the knee, it’s important to treat any unusual symptom as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming worse!
There are several options to pursue . . . a knowledgeable friend, a chiropractor you know and trust, a physical therapist you know and trust, a doctor you know and trust or a bodyworker you know and trust! Take the 1st step to help resolve your knee pain! You can always call me or visit my website for the $20 discount: www.tompettengill.com 831-818-6916

More Info about a Soft Tissue Injury in the Knee

Again, the knee is a very complex structure in the leg. There are a number of possible ailments to be aware of – see the link below. But, know that massage therapy can help! Read more at How to prevent and treat knee injuries

Woman sitting in bed Stress Relief

Shoulder Pain from Sleeping – Taking a Deeper Look at What You Can Do For Your Shoulder Pain

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Do you know those times when you wake up in the morning and have pain in your shoulder? It happens to all of us! And shoulder pain from sleeping is actually pretty common and usually isn’t not a big deal. Most of the time, it goes away once we start moving around. It usually comes from sleeping on that shoulder for too long a one time but when we’re asleep, it’s hard to be aware of how long is too long!

But seriously, what can we do about shoulder pain – after arising? First, let’s take a look at some basic anatomy and later, we’ll consider remediation steps!

Shoulder Anatomy, Made Simple

The shoulder has a unique trait in the body! It has the most range of motion than any other joint!   Wait . . . what does that mean? It means that you can move your shoulder in more directions AND farther than other joints!  Coming soon: my Blog about the knee. When you read it you’ll know that the knee joint is NOT meant to move a lot.

But, back to shoulder anatomy, most of us know a person who has dislocated a shoulder. Not only is it common but it hurts! The shoulder joint is very flexible so we can . . . swing from tree-to tree . . .   Well – I won’t diverge into how we evolved, but here are some ideas about shoulder pain from sleeping!

Causes of Shoulder Pain from Sleeping

1] Compression: that means that the actual shoulder joint gets pushed into itself. That happens  naturally if we “side sleep” and lean on the shoulder. Usually, that’s not a problem . . . shoulders aren’t THAT fragile!

2] Weakness: if the shoulder is inherently weak, unstable or otherwise susceptible to complications, an injury can occur. Is it possible to have an injury from sleeping on your shoulder? It’s not likely but keep your awareness on it if the pain continues!

3] Overuse: if you are an athlete or if you work a lot with your shoulders, injuries can develop. Excessive and repetitive shoulder movements can be detrimental – especially if the shoulder action is overhead like tennis, pitching, swimming and even weight lifting. But, the soreness might only be from slight overuse – be a detective and see if you can figure it out! 

What To Do When You Wake Up

If you wake up from sleeping and your shoulder is sore and painful, ask yourself if this is just the norm for you. You may be used to a slight pain in the morning – then it goes away after a fairly short time as you start to move about. That’s no big deal

If your shoulder is sore or painful more than usual, you can stretch it out and see how it responds . . . if it gets better then maybe you did just sleep on it “the wrong way.” This soreness should greatly reduce in an hour or 2.

If the soreness doesn’t decrease in an hour or 2, take further steps to lessen the soreness. This could mean to use ice, doing more conservative stretching [be conservative so you don’t possibly make things worse] or the use of OTC pain meds as directed by a doctor. Music is another possibility – yes, that’s right! Music has been shown to reduce pain. . . . though I don’t recommend cranking it up!

Another possibility is to contact a massage professional for pain relief. Massage is well known to relax muscles and this might just be the ticket you need – loosening up tight muscles in the shoulder might be exactly the answer.  You can book a session with me and we will investigate what’s going on.

What if You have Shoulder Pain from Sleeping and . . .

It hurts a lot! What if this kind of pain is definitely different, if it’s a new kind of pain and if it just doesn’t “feel right?”  Now is the time to look deeper into the pain! If you’re sure it’s not from too much activity or some other type of influence, you should seek the advice of someone knowledgeable who you trust. It’s always good to play it safe – it may end up being something fully treatable but don’t take any chances.

And, if you are planning to be active on that day, using your shoulder a lot, it’s best to refrain and rest it. Resting an unknown ailment is one of THE best things we can do for it! You certainly want to be careful and not complicate the issue!  Here’s a good article about shoulder pain and symptoms:  https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt    Luckily, it’s not likely you have anything serious from shoulder pain from sleeping!

Massage for Shoulder Pain from Sleeping

Assuming the pain in your shoulder is not severe, massage and bodywork is actually a very good alternative and a good way to:

  1. relax the muscles of the shoulder
  2. release built-up tension and stress
  3. have the practitioner assess if your shoulder needs further attention
  4. help yourself to deal with a troublesome situation.

Again, I do therapeutic bodywork and specialize in shoulder pain [and hip imbalances].

Mild shoulder pain from sleeping can be addressed by a skilled practitioner – here’s my website again:  www.tompettengill.com  and  my online scheduler:   https://pocketsuite.io/book/tom-pettengill 

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Tpett.ortho.massage@gmail.com
831-818-6916
Shoulder Pain from Sleeping – Taking a Deeper Look at What You Can Do For Your Shoulder Pain
© Tompettengill 2025
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Shoulder Pain from Sleeping – Taking a Deeper Look at What You Can Do For Your Shoulder Pain
© Tompettengill 2025
Tpett.ortho.massage@gmail.com
831-818-6916
Designed and Maintained by Attraction Unlimited Marketing Designed and Maintained by Attraction Unlimited Marketing