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 FIBROMYALGIA & MASSAGE
 Recently, massage therapy has become extremely popular
among fibromyalgia patients. It works to reduce pain, eliminate stiffness, and
helps you to relax and take some time out for yourself. If you are interested
in massage, this article will outline the treatment’s basic principles and how
it can benefit your fibromyalgia symptoms.
How Does Massage Therapy Help Fibromyalgia?
Massage therapy can really reduce the pain, stiffness, and
tender points caused by fibromyalgia syndrome. But how does it manage to do
this? Well, no one is 100% sure on how massage actually reduces pain, but it
may have something to do with the central nervous system. It is theorized that
massage therapy actually enhances the production of certain pain blockers,
including endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These hormones work to
counteract pain signals conducted by the brain, and this would explain why
massage offers such dramatic pain relief.
Benefits of Massage Therapy For Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Massage therapy is actually one of the most beneficial
treatments for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. In fact, in a survey completed by
fibromyalgia sufferers, massage therapy was rated the best fibromyalgia
treatment option by an overwhelming margin. Massage therapy benefits include:
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increased blood circulation to the muscles, allowing for faster muscle repair
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increased flexibility
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increased range of motion
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decreased stress and depression
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reduced pain
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reduced stiffness
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improved sleep patterns
In a 1996 study, fibromyalgia sufferers reported a 38%
decrease in pain symptoms after receiving just ten, 30 minute massage sessions.
They also reported a significant decrease in their sleep difficulties. They began sleeping for longer periods at a time and were disturbed less by sleep
disorders. Types of Massage Therapy
There are a variety of different kinds of massages that are
on offer by your massage therapist. Some of the most popular massages include
the Swedish massage and the Deep Tissue massage. Other types of massage include, Esalen, Myofascial Release and some Trigger Point work.
At Indigo Blue Massage & Wellness, Christie recommends that each client start with Esalen massage and work towards Deep Tissue. Here are a few types of massage
that you may find beneficial for relieving your fibromyalgia pain. Esalen Massage is a wonderful technique designed to increase
the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the muscles. This helps to flush out
toxins and improve the flexibility and health of your muscles. Esalen Massage
is characterized by long, slow, flowing strokes and movements, which involve stroking the body
with the full hands, fingertips, and palms. Christie also adds Tragger, which is a rocking of the body to relax the central nervous system.
Christie will use Deep Tissue Massage to loosen
areas of hardened or inflexible muscles and tissues. It targets the deep layers
of your muscles and tendons, helping to release tension and chronic muscle
pain. Deep, pressurized strokes are usually made along or across the muscles.
Because Deep Tissue Massage uses slower and deeper strokes than Esalen massage, and you may feel a little pain or soreness immediately following your treatment.
However, this pain should disappear within a day or so. Christie is very cautious with Deep Tissue on fibromyalgia patients. Because the muscles are already tender and painful, this technique is used after the patient has been receiving massage sessions for a few months and has worked with Christie to progress to deeper work.
Myofascial Release techniques help to relieve stiffness and
tightness in your body’s fascia, caused by myofascial pain. The fascia is a
thin layer of tissue that covers all of your muscles and organs. In
fibromyalgia, sometimes the fascia can become extremely short and tense,
resulting in pain. Myofascial Release therapy uses stretching techniques to
relieve this pain. Christie first locates an area of tightness on your
body and she gradually stretches this area, holds the stretch, and then allows the
fascia to relax. The process is very slow and is repeated until the fascia is completely
relaxed.
Finding a Good Massage Therapist can be a difficult process for fibromyalgia patients. Not all massage therapist have the patience or the right technique to be qualified to help these patients. Christie has developed a wonderful technique which encompasses Esalen and Tragger to relax the patient, Warm Stones to help soothe more tense muscles without much pain, and Myofacial Release to allow patients to feel better longer and stay pain free in between visits. Christie then works with each patient to decide when that patient is ready to move into deeper work. The deeper the work, the longer each patient will go without pain and stiffness. One of the most difficult things for fibromyalgia patients to relay to therapists is how much pain and discomfort they are in and that the therapist must start with slow, shallow strokes! Christie has several fibromyalgia clients and should you need any information, please do not hesitate to contact Chrisite. She will help you get in contact with her other patients if you would like a referral. Please take a look at our Client Reviews Page for comments from some of Christie's regular clients.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions. Christie has an extensive knowledge of how to work with fibromyalgia and chronic pain and will be happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have.
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