More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Massage Therapy For Fibromyalgia Relief
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a condition of widespread muscular pain and fatigue. The millions who have this condition will tell you that it is a debilitating array of chronic symptoms including muscular aches, burning, stabbing, and throbbing pain; brain fog, and fatigue. There is no blood test to confirm the diagnosis of this condition, and its overlap of symptoms with other disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, can make the diagnosis murky at times.
Massage therapy is not a cure for fibromyalgia, but it can offer significant relief. Massage therapy can relieve pain, instill a sense of well being, and promote deeper sleep. The following are some important considerations if one is seeking a therapist to relieve the pain of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has a range of pain that varies from patient to patient, and also fluctuates within each patient. Deep tissue massage is not contraindicated with this condition, but may have to be modified in pressure to suit the patient. Carefully communicate ones pain threshold with the therapist prior to each session so that proper depth of pressure can be maintained.
Consider hot stone massage if the pain is deep, but deep pressure cannot be tolerated. Often this modality is particularly suited to relieving tender spots that cannot be relieved with deep tissue massage.
Certain essential oils combined with the massage can enhance the effect of the massage and provide further relief. One may also use these oils as a follow-up to the treatment. Lavender and chamomile, for example, are anti-inflammatory and ease burning pain. Ginger, black pepper, and rosemary are circulation enhancers that relieve pain that is more on the surface of the muscles, or within the joints. Clove is a natural analgesic that can dull sharp pain.
Schedule the massage if possible on a less hectic day to get the full benefits of the relaxation. Fibromyalgia patients are more likely to be type A, highly motivated individuals that have a harder time “letting go” during the massage. The more relaxed one is in a session the more effective the massage will be in releasing muscular tension. This deep state of relaxation is also an important restorer of the para-sympathetic nervous system, which regulates sleep, digestion, and acts as a reminder to the muscles that they need not be perpetually tensed for flight.
