Massage: a Remedy for Fibromyalgia

Could Masssage be a remedy for Fibromyalgia? Yes! For those of you who are suffering with Fibromyalgia symptoms you know that any relief that you can get is welcome. Symptoms often include high levels of pain throughout the body which can lead to psychological distress. Let's look at the many benefits of massage for Fibromyalgia patients.

Massage for Fibromyalgia

Massage provides several benefits for fibromyalgia patients. Here are 6 of the benefits of massage provides to fibromyalgia patients:

1) Better sleep: Massage Therapy sessions conducted in the evening will assist the patient with better quality of sleep at night, thereby helping the body repair and rejuvenate at night more effectively.

2) Improved muscle tonicity: Massage also assists in restoring lethargic muscles and building strength and vitality to the body.

3) Mental clarity: A relaxing session can raise healthy awareness and relieve mental stress. This can improve the client’s cognitive issues.

4) Headache relief: Improving blood flow to the brain can relieve the physical source of headache, while the relief received can further keep the person’s mind in a healthier space.

5) Diminished symptoms of anxiety & depression: These effects include hormonal fluctuations, interference with appetite and chronic fight-or-flight mode. Massage can restore homeostasis of the body, thereby diminishing these effects.

6) Pain Relief: Massage releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

The key is getting the right kind of massage to help ease both the physical and mental effects of fibromyalgia. The types that have been found to work best on people with fibromyalgia are techniques that combine kneading, pressure, friction, stretching, and heat application to promote circulation and clear the body of built-up toxins within the muscles.

How often should I get a massage if I'm suffering with Fibromyalgia?

Depending on the severity of a person’s fibromyalgia symptoms, we usually recommend he or she receives a massage one to two times a week for the first four weeks to break the pain cycle and assist the body in reaching homeostasis. Once the pain level has reduced by 50% then the frequency can taper to once every two weeks and eventually reduced to once a month.