therapist heart attack

[Blue Boy]

I have been a Licensed Massage Therapist for over five years, and I enjoy the work and want to continue doing it. However, I recently suffered a heart attack and had a stent placed to open up an artery that was 98% blocked. Does anyone know if I should continue to do massage(I combine Swedish, deep tissue, NeuroMuscular, Myofascial, Manual Lymph Drainage, and Reflexology, whichever the client wants/needs). I have had high blood pressure for years, with the numbers creeping up slowly over the last couple of years, even with medication, but this was the first time I had any idea that my heart had problems. I have had fibromyalgia symptoms for years but have never heard that that would lead to heart problems. My colesterol has always been within 'normal', and I am active (we have a farm, so lots of walking, lifting, digging, etc.).
Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Bobber Geldkraft]

Honestly, the only person who could answer that would be your doctor. My guess is they will want you to start back slowly, but say yes - exercise is GOOD, and this isn't strenuous - no heavy lifting, no extreme or sudden raising of the heart rate, not generally associated with much stress unless you work for someone who operates in their own reality.

I'm sorry you've had a heart attack! Good luck in your recovery.

 

[Shaun P]

I am sorry to hear that you have suffered a heart attack. I agree that it would be best to consult with your doctor.

When I was in school one of my classmates had a heart attack and took a few months off from the massage program. He came back to finish his classes. This was about a year and a half or two years ago. I am not sure if he's pursing massage full time or part time right now. My impression is that massage seemed a much better alternative than his stressful office job.

 

[blackshoes]

I sure wish the best to you on recovery. Please talk to your doctors about this. I know sometimes it can be so intimidating and there is so much to keep track of when you have a medical emergency like this, that you do forget to ask questions that are important to you. I would arrange a in person meeting or at the least a phone call to talk about all the things that you can't be expected to think of at the onset of a crisis. I am sure you probaly have lots of stuff rolling around inside your head you would like to ask about. Just make yourself a nice list and have a loved one with you.
That way two sets of ears are better then one.
Best wishes to you. Let us know how you are doing.

 

[Sarcastic B1@tch]

One of my MT teachers had a bypass... I think it was triple or quadruple, within 2 years of my graduation. I know he had to take some time off and moved out of state for a short time where his sisters helped take care of him during his "recovery."
However, I think he was back doing massage before too long. And then decided to go to school to become a RN. So now he does both.
Let your doctor guide you, he'll tell you when you will be able to go back to doing massage.
My point in mentioning my instructor is that it's been probably 8 years or so and he's still doing massage. Take heart (Yes, pun intended.) You might have to change the way you work... but it most likely isn't the end of your career.

 

[hatem]

I have lupus and it's bad cousin scleroderma. I had a heart attack 7 years ago as a result of these 2 illnesses. At the time I had been a letter carrier for 21 years. My doctors (cardiologist and rheumatologist) said that if I wanted to go to massage school I should.......the stress of working for the postal service was too much. I actually started school 4 months after the attack. I was and still am very careful about what I do. I know my limits and what I can and cannot do. My docs even defer to me sometimes over a treatment cause they think I know myself better than they do....and they're right! I suggest that you get a good doc that will actually listen to you and has an open mind to alternative therapies. My rheumy believes that me getting a massage is good for me as well as giving massage. Giving massage keeps me active and it takes the attention off of me and allows me to focus on others.

As with fibro, I have symptoms of extreme fatigue and painful joints. For that, I keep active........snowshoeing, skiing, hiking, cycling. I liken my body to a hinge on a door. Use it often and correctly and it should usually work........don't use it and it will rust up and quit working.

As far as what you can do with massage, learn your boundaries........and keep them. You know how much massage you can do at any one time. You know when you have a day when you can't do any. Really try not to stray from that. I do corporate and convention chair massage and it is hard. It's taken me a while to learn to say no...I tend to do too much in one day and then pay for it for the next three. I've had 3 chemo treatments in the past 8 years and I had to fight real hard not to come back too soon. But I'm glad I didn't. I was stronger for waiting.

I'm sorry if this post is a little long, bit I am passionate about massage and I am passionate about living life to the fullest, no matter what your circumstances. If you enjoy your work, you're already ahead of most of the human race.