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I've had a sore neck / stiff back for a few weeks that I've gained from long days hunched over a laptop. Its causing me to get headaches more often than I would like.
A few people have told me to get massage therapy. I've never looked into this. Whats the 411 on it? Does it help? Would 1 hour do me well? It seems pretty expensive so I dont want to drop more than $130..
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- SAVOIE
- CommentTimeJul 29th 2010 edited
- Comments: 84
I have a really bad back with hardly any evidence as to why - uneven hips, twisted/curved/crooked spine, right up to my neck (I don't look like a freak but sometimes I feel like it) - its hard to tell how bad your posture is by the way you feel. You sound like you've definitely got back problems though (headaches are a tell tale sign). Chiropractic help has a bad reputation but mostly just because the muscles and nerves aren't cooperating with their procedures, massage therapy fixes that and the two are really complimentary. I've been getting back help for about 7 months but only when I went for a massage did I get drastic relief.
An hour massage is going to make you feel way better even if you're just stiff, it'll average around 50-70$ for an hour, try and find someone who has been doing it for a long time. BUT go back at least a few times and try to avoid whatever made you sore, this is the only way you can save a lot of money. If you want to seriously correct an issue with your back/neck... it'll cost way more than 130$
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massage therapy is definitely worth getting every month or couple months. if you get a good hour massage from a professional it won't be relaxing. you'll be in some moderate pain for a lot of the hour but it's worth it. you'll feel great after.
you may want to consider physiotherapy along with massage therapy.some chiropractors can be good but it's usually because they'll lean on the physio side of treatment.
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can someone recommend a place? All I'm finding is around $120 an hour.
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I went to this place once to fix a hot tub and it looked pretty great.
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hah how is that legal?
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Look for someone who's a Registered Massage Therapist. I don't know what going rate is in Toronto, but my mom's a massage therapist, and in the hamilton area it was more like 60-100/hr.
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Can I get your moms number?
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my brother's friend i believe is a registered massage therapist. i think shes going through training to become certified for sports injuries. i've never been to see her. but i'm fairly sure she operates out of oakville if you want me to try and track down her number. not sure what she charges.
probably not as fun as that blue pearl spa either. i think i'm going to ask my girlfriend for a gift certificate there for xmas..
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My good friend is registered and all that hoopla, working full time at a sick place in Waterdown but does some stuff on the side at her place in Burlington. I know Jackie can attest to her quality. Hit me up for her contact info.
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Wes, if you're getting headaches, have you considered getting your eyes checked? I had been getting the odd headache/fatigue, which I just attributed to too much screen time (was probably staring at a computer screen from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed). I went to the eye doctor just because I wanted to get a free check up/pair of glasses before I graduated and my insurance ran out, and it turned out that I needed computer glasses. I didn't even know such a thing existed, but it's a completely different prescription from reading/distance glasses (my up-close vision is perfect and my distance is close-to-perfect). Anyway, I got them, and I can't even express the difference it makes. It was like I had been watching TV on bunny ears all this time, and someone showed me something in HD. And I no longer get headaches at all (and I still spend most of the day in front of a computer).
I mean, the headaches definitely could be because of your posture, but it could be a little bit of both. Also, I would recommend investing in a good desk chair.
And you've probably thought of this, but since I assume you're still covered under your parents' insurance, you should look into whether it covers massage therapy or not. My mom's totally did, though I never took advantage of it.
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There is also the option of going to a student clinic at a Massage College. My aunt works reception at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy on the corner of Mount Pleasant and Davisville, and although you are being treated by students the cost is only $32 for a 45 minute session.
EDIT----Link
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wesbos:hah how is that legal?
You might be surprised what is legal in Canada.
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brooks:My good friend is registered and all that hoopla, working full time at a sick place in Waterdown but does some stuff on the side at her place in Burlington. I know Jackie can attest to her quality. Hit me up for her contact info.
he only speaks the truth.
this girl is amazing and wonderful to talk to.I swear after a single visit (clinic or at her house) you'll come back for more.
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If your sitting in a chair all day, get one of these. Just go sit in one and you will be convinced! Great investment.
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I sat in one of those for three years, super uncomfortable. I've got a pretty ergonomic setup actually, I dropped a bunch of money last summer when I had carpel tunnel and it hasnt come back yet.
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don't you have a girlfriend?
I'm not saying that it's her obligation to give you a massage or anything.. But I'm sure if you asked nicely, she'd give you one...
Just ask her to work her thumbs really hard into the knots along your spine, push outwards, away from your spine.
Obviously not as good as going to a pro, but I've used this move many times, and it really does work wonders. You'll be pain free for at least a few days...
And if you don't have a girlfriend, oops.
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Jeff, I would have to remark that our taste in women appears to differ quite significantly.
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shane:
If your sitting in a chair all day, get one of these. Just go sit in one and you will be convinced! Great investment.
I'm in that chair right now. I can attest to it's awesome.
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you can get get them through Ryerson, and im pretty sure they'll cover part of it.
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What do you do to improve tension headaches from being on a computer all day? Yesterday my upper neck/base of my skull had the worst headache from my desk job. It wasn't so bad when I was doing data entry, but with my current research job I have to read the screen much more intently and it's been causing a ton of pain.
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Look up the ideal settings to set your monitor to, sometimes the refresh rate can mess with your eyes.
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My girlfriend is a RMT and sometimes is nice enough to offer me a massage here and there. Similarly to you, I sit at a desk all day and stare at a computer monitor(s)... every once in a while I get a terrible migraine that I cant shake and she does an awesome neck and scalp massage that does amazing things.
Massages in Toronto probably cost more because of the extra overhead simply from being downtown, but I believe around the GTA they are about $100 an hour (give or take). If you are insured, however, most insurance plans cover around $500 worth of massages a year. Check in to that if it applies.
Oh, and lastly, before you spend money on anything, try just drinking some extra water. Apparently something like 80% of headaches are caused simply by lack of hydration. Dehydration also takes a toll on muscles too. Once again, don't know if it applies or not... but maybe it will help.
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Yes I do have a girlfriend. She is an RN and you would think she would be good at giving massage...
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I was talking to wes, sorry.
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teenager of the year:What do you do to improve tension headaches from being on a computer all day? Yesterday my upper neck/base of my skull had the worst headache from my desk job. It wasn't so bad when I was doing data entry, but with my current research job I have to read the screen much more intently and it's been causing a ton of pain.
There's a good chance it's just eye strain.
Every so often, look away for 30 seconds to a minute at something a lot further away than your monitor. -
I'm sorry to hear about your problem, but I like reading threads like this. They often show me more options for a healthier lifestyle.
Thanks all!
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Hey Wesbos, I've been going to RMTs for years and they have really helped with different back/shoulder problems I've had over the years. The ones I go to are in Hamilton and I highly recommend them but you probably don't want to travel that far.
Sutherland Chan is an excellent massage therapy school in Toronto (Dupont and Spadina area). Massage with one of the students is $35 (I think) an hour. They are just itching to get clients in that aren't just looking for a relaxing massage.
If you wait until after Jan you can go there and get a massage by yours truly.
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Hermit, the trouble is that I work in a very small office, and the only window is beside someone's desk. It feels really awkward to go stand beside his desk to look out the window, especially every 30 minutes...One time I did it and he said "you know, standing in front of a widow like that isn't exactly the picture of sanity..."
