Fibromyalgia Patients Endorse Massage A survey of over one thousand fibromyalgia (FM) patients revealed that regardless of age, gender, or duration of symptoms, people coping with this painful and fatiguing condition prefer massage therapy over other nondrug therapies (Fibromyalgia Network Journal July 2004). Commenting on the benefits of massage therapy, patients shared these thoughts: Five years ago, I discovered massage therapy and now find myself functioning very well. I dont know what I would do, or how I could function, without regular massage. Before weekly massages, my muscles never know what relaxed was. I still involuntarily tighten my muscles, but I have less pain. Now that I know what relaxed muscles feel like, I can monitor my muscles to un-tighten them. The change in my body after seven months of routine massge was trememndous. My headaches are less frequent and I take less medication than I have in years. I utilize massage as a preventative therapy. By seeking help with painful areas before they become unmanageable, Im able to keep on top of the most painful flares. I also find that when I am over-stressed, massage is a very helpful leveler. Massage Relieves FM Symptoms Research shows massage therapy to be an effective approach to treating FM. A 1996 report indicated that half-hour sessions twice weekly not only cut the pain by 38%, but also exerted a favorable impact on fatigue, mood and sleeping problems.1 The same promising results were found by a Swedish team as well.2 In a third study, objective measures of sleep quality and daytime energey levels were favorably improved.3 Muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back can lead to severe, chronic tension headaches ... a problem for many FM patients. Massaging the muscles in these regions for thirty minutes twice weekly for one month showed that this technique could reduce head pain for the small number of patients in the study.4 Both the frequency and duration of the tension headaches were cut in half. Low back pain, another regional problem for people with FM, appears to be favorably aided by massage therapy as well. A study comparing the effectiveness of professional massage, acupuncture, and education/self-care found that massage therapy was the best treatment for low back pain.5Looking at the long-range effectiveness of massage, the benefits of this treatment may last for more than one month, and in some cases, up to a year. Types of Massage There are many forms of massage, but FM patients usually begin with light louch, stroking, and Swedish-type massage techniques that go by various names (it depends upon the therapist). After a few sessions, patients can tolerate a greater application of pressure and this leads to a longer lasting effect. A massage therapist who is skilled in several different forms of massage should be able to provide you with the therapy most suited to your needs. Patients who are very sensitive to touch often start out with thirty-minute sessions and work up to full one-hour treatments. A partial body massage of the neck, shoulders, and back is a common starting point. These areas are often the most painful for patients. Once the tight, sore muscles are loosened up, most patients opt for routine full-body massages. Struggling with Fibromyalgia? Massage therapy may be a helpful addition to your treatment regimen. Traditionally, FM is treated with medications geared at reducing pain and sleep disorders. Most patients, however, find that medications alone are not enough to adequately reduce these symptoms. For many, massage therapy is an essential component of treatment, and makes living with FM more tolerable. Studies have shown that massage therapy improves a number of FM symptoms: Muscle painChronic tension headachesDaytime fatigueAnxiety and depressionInsomnia and disturbed sleepRestricted muscle function
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:05:10 +0000
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