help! lumps, soreness in neck post session

[trillville]

Hi, Im hoping for some advice here.

I presently have 3 knot-like lumps that have developed on the back left side of my neck, slightly below the skull. I noticed them last week about 2 days after after a pretty intense 90 min deep tissure/neuromuscular massage. These knots are pretty solid and sensitive to pressure, but there is no bruising. The location of the knots is closer to the skin surface as opposed to deep within the muscle.

One of the knots is pretty large (~3cm across) and protrudes quite visibly from my neck, the other 2 are smaller but similar. I have experienced some soreness, and limited range of motion when stretching. The entire back left side of my head region is particularly sensitive at the moment, which has been quite uncomfortable trying to sleep.

My therapist has practiced for five years and says the he's never seen anything like this. We are both uncertain if there was resistence on my part during the session or if perhaps the massage was too intense, and he overworked this portion of my neck? I was hoping someone could help me identify the cause of these knots and point me in the direction of relief.

respectfully, sandy

 

[ShortcutHerbal Goody]

Sandy are you yourself a massage therapist or a client?
Did your MT recommend applying an ice pack or anything?

If you are a client, we have a special section of the board just for this type of question. You might get more responses there:
http://www.bodyworkonline.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9

 

[Ralishev]

Might I suggest also asking your therapist to join this forum if he/she has questions?

 

[Kyle Vaughan]

thanks for moving this... Yes, I am a client, a young twenty-something.

Cold packs are really the only treatment I have used, cold helps with the inflammation, which has progressed up behind my left ear.

The lumps are still sensitive to pressure, but I noticed today my left ear has become inflamed and irritated. This is really getting bizarrre, I know I need to get checked out. However, I am away from home and skeptical of doctors down here in my area.

The MT is technologically challenged, but I will encourage him to join this great forum, and perhaps this discussion. His instructor told him yesterday that this was unusual and that it was not caused by his bodywork. Great for him, I still just wish I knew what it is...

thanks for the help

 

[Rubicon-Raumz]

Well, I may be way far off here... but could it be a swollen lymph node? The problem with your ear becoming inflammed leads me to believe it could be a possibility... *shrug*

If it's a lymph node, then you might be able to try some light lymphatic drainage massage. Perhaps your MT or his instructor can recommend someone properly trained in lymphatic massage?

 

[Mr. Pregunta]

It sounds like an infection or allergic reaction to me. I'm assuming it's not your usual therapist as you're away from home, or have you seen him before with no problems? Has your therapist changed oils recently? Were any essential oils used? Or have you had your hair dyed or heavy duty conditioner used? Have you changed clothes washing detergent or shampoo/conditioner? Do you have artificial nails and get a new set apllied recently?

I think maybe there was a low grade skin irritation before your treatment and the oil/product used during the massage plus the deep work working the product into your skin flared it up to obvious lumps. It can be quite amazing how large a lump an infected hair folicle can cause, it doesn't have to be a pimple type thing with a yellow head. The fact it is spreading up to your ear points in the direction of an infection too. I would recommend you get to a doctor asap - infections that close to the brain can be bit risky.

 

[joe.attaboy]

I have a client who had some swelling of unknown origin recently.

Ends up that this person is a flight attendant and the problem was d/t being on the plane in the "airplane air" for long periods of time. Seems it increased infection rates to a point where swelling was occuring in lymphatic chains and along the axilla (armpit) also. The swelling was not small, and special medications had to be used to help this individual. 8 months later and problems still arise. In this clients case, it definitely was not something to play around with.

 

[jen_mom2maddy]

The lumps have finally reduced in size and sensitivity as of last night. The irritation on my ear dried up and flaked away, and the swelling has gone down. Allerigic reaction to the oils is a good thought, although I'm leaning toward swolen lymp nodes after reading the responses.

I was feeling a little fatigued and stuffed up the week before and after the massage (posssibly post-graduation stress), but no severe cold like symptoms at all.

The last few days, when I have been stretching my head and neck (rotational and cobra style) I noticed a tightness in the under-chin lymph area on the same side as the lumps (not really swolen or lumped though). I didn't initially think the lumps could have been swolen lymph nodes as they are on the back of my neck. Do lymph chains realy extend behind the ear to the back of the neck?

Thank you all for the excellent responses.

 

[sal]

You can do a google search on the lymphatic system to see all the areas... but again, just because the problem seems to be "going down", should not negate seeing a medical doctor. It really isn't something to mess around with.

 

[Beverly]

Admittedly, I was in denial that the lumps were something serious. When I was home however, I went to see my physician who immediately diagnosed the symptoms as mononeucleosis, the old kissin' disease.

Guess I should have known with the muscle stiffness and fatigue. But he said what most likelyhappened is the massage caused some trauma to my spleen which in turn caused the lymph nodes to lump up. Something about red blood cell recycling I believe.

Anyways, I'm getting back to normal (with lots of sleeping in) after all the excitment around the holidays. Just wanted to check in and let you all know that it was nothing serioius. Thanks again for the help.

sandy

 

[KROQFAN]

littlesandy, I'm a little concerned about the damage to the spleen...but I guess if your Doctor doesn't feel unduly concerned about it...
I think I can speak for most of the administration, moderators and members here, when I say we're glad you got it checked out, and that you're feeling better now! Thanks for updating us!