datsgrace2u

Licensing for Massage Therapy is different in every state. CT requires passing the national certification exam for licensure where as in MA it is licensed by town with EVERY TOWN having its own requirements. Be sure you check with your state and local agencies to know your own laws because you dont want to lose everything you work for by not being legal. And be sure that if you practice under your nursing license that your professional liability insurence will cover you. The AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) may be able to provide info or links to info. As a graduate from a medical massage program and a nurse with 20 years experience I can honestly say that there is MUCH to massage that I never learned in nursing school and I had one heck of an old school education! My only regret is that it took me so long to do it. Nursing is rewarding but we often dont do pleasant things to our patients. With massage it is all good.

The effects of massage can last quite a while but it is by no means a cure. Please be sure to find a therapist who will listen to you and not give you a cookie cutter massage because people with fibromyalgia have different pain tolerances and react to other modalities (eg heat and cold) differently.

You may want to consider taking her to a good massage therapist. It could be that her pain now is the result of using her muscles 'the wrong way" for a prolonged period of time. I have had several THR patients complain about lower leg and foot pain after surgery that they did not have before. And they are amazed that I can hit the spot so easily and I havent been a practicing LMT for very long. Another avenue could be a PM&R. (aka a physiatrist). They seem to be able to look at the whole picture for the problem and may not feel the need to do anything to a "perfect" knee. Good Luck

If nursing were easy we would never have a shortage.... I was fortunate to learn that as a new grad 20 years ago from two very supportive nurses. We arrived for work together and we left work together. It has always amazed me how someone taking 2 minutes to do one small thing for me could take a weight the size of New Jersey off my shoulders. I always make it a point to ask whomever I am working with if they have something quick I can do, even on my worst day. I find that it helps me with perspective and helps with the team atmosphere... "cuz we'll all go together when we go..."