Hey everyone!

Every two months or so I visit my physical therapist for a little reset.

On the one hand, I have the impression that the pains caused by the pericarditis lead to tensions in the thorax which end up causing themselves other contracture-type pains which radiate throughout the left side (back, left shoulder, ribs). These are peripheral pains which are added to the pains directly linked to the inflammation of the pericardium.

On the other hand, pericarditis forces me to be very static, sitting or lying down most of the time. Even though I take a walk daily, my body suffers from the lack of movement. The back, neck and hips periodically show signs of tension. It gets stuck! Headaches, back pain, pain in the hips and legs have become recurring problems since I got sick and couldn't play sports anymore.

The method that my physiotherapist uses, and that relieves me the most of these multiple tensions, is a gentle manual therapy method called MOTIO therapy. The name comes from the words movement and water. It acts on connective tissues and water metabolism. It is a completely amazing method because it is very soft. It almost feels like the physiotherapist is doing nothing. However, it allows to gently unlock (without cracking the vertebrae) a torticollis, for example. It is very useful after an accident, a fall or surgery because it allows everything to be put back in place, which avoids keeping a gap that could lead to premature wear (back, hips, knees, etc.).

I have been using my physiotherapist for this method for ten years for all these reasons, and I find that it also helps me to relieve the consequences of my pericarditis.

Relaxing the muscles and putting the body back in place greatly reduces tension and, consequently, the intensity of pain. The method is based on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It seems suitable and safe for people with pericarditis.

A session every two months allows me to avoid back pain, headaches, sciatica, and significantly reduces the intensity of pain due to pericarditis. It does not cure my pericarditis, but it temporarily eliminates the tensions due to the incessant pain.

MOTIO therapy is practiced in France and Belgium. I don't know if it exists or if it has another name in other countries.

I also tried a few sessions of SHIATSU, which is another very interesting manual therapy method. I couldn't continue because of the pandemic and also because I had to make financial choices. But I think it could be an alternative to MOTIO therapy (which is 2 to 3 times cheaper for me).

PERSEVERANCE, SECRET OF ALL TRIUMPHS (Victor Hugo).

Pericordially yours,

Vali