| Massage therapy has become one of the more | | | | across or along the affected muscles. Due to the |
| popular treatments among those with | | | | fact that this massage is designed to deeply |
| fibromyalgia, and is actually turning out to be one | | | | penetrate muscles and tendons, it is common to |
| of the most effective methods for treating | | | | feel pain directly following treatment, but this pain |
| fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. A number of studies | | | | usually subsides in a day. |
| have been done involving massage therapy and | | | | Myofascial Release - Myofascial release is designed |
| fibromyalgia patients. These studies have | | | | to alleviate the stiffness and tension in the fascia |
| concluded that those who participated found the | | | | that has been caused by myofascial pain (pain |
| following relief of their fibromyalgia symptoms: | | | | caused by myofascial syndrome which can affect |
| • Blood circulation was improved in the | | | | the entire body but is usually present in the face |
| muscles which enabled faster healing | | | | and jaw). Many people who suffer from |
| • Improvement in motion range and flexibility | | | | fibromyalgia also have myofascial syndrome, |
| • Reduction in stiffness | | | | which is a condition that can aggravate the |
| • Reduction in pain | | | | already unpleasant symptoms of fibromyalgia. |
| • Reduction in stress | | | | The fascia, a thin tissue layer, covers all of the |
| • Reduction in depression | | | | muscles and organs in the body. The fascia of |
| • Improvement in sleep | | | | some fibromyalgia suffers can become |
| What is massage therapy? | | | | exceptionally tight and short causing pain. |
| Massage therapy is one of the oldest forms of | | | | Myofasical release message therapy works to |
| treating mental and physical illnesses. It is the | | | | relieve this pain through stretching methods. This |
| process of using structured or unstructured | | | | is achieved by a therapists finding the tight area |
| tension, pressure motion, or vibration to the | | | | of the body and gradually stretching and holding |
| body's soft tissue (muscles, tendons, joints, | | | | this area to help the fascia relax. This massage is |
| ligaments, and vessels) to help alleviate tension, | | | | continued until the fascia is successfully relaxed. |
| stiffness and pain in affected areas. | | | | Swedish Massage - This is one of the most |
| It is still not entirely understood how massage | | | | popular forms of massage therapy. Its purpose is |
| therapy works to relieve pain, but many believe | | | | to increase oxygen flow within the muscles. The |
| that massages effect the central nervous | | | | increase in oxygen helps improve the health of |
| system. Thus, this therapy encourages the | | | | the muscles by clearing out toxins and increasing |
| production of hormones that are the body's | | | | flexibility. Swedish massage is performed by |
| natural painkillers such as endorphins and serotonin, | | | | stroking the body with the palms, fingertips or |
| and is why pain relief is often so successful. | | | | thumbs with long, smooth flowing movements. |
| What types of massage therapy is best for | | | | That being said, this massage can also be |
| fibromyalgia? | | | | performed with tapping or kneading techniques to |
| There are many different types of massages | | | | allow the body to benefit from vibration. |
| that can be used as massage therapy. The | | | | If you would like to give massage therapy a try, |
| following are a few different massages that may | | | | you should first speak with your doctor. Secondly, |
| be effective for providing relief from fibromyalgia | | | | you must make sure that you obtain massage |
| symptoms: | | | | therapy from a qualified massage therapist who |
| Deep Tissue Massage - This is a vigorous form of | | | | has experience with treating fibromyalgia |
| massage therapy that works to relax stiff or | | | | symptoms. Although a massage may appear |
| inflexible soft tissue. The deep tissue massage | | | | easy to perform, it can be done incorrectly. |
| concentrates on the deep layers of muscles and | | | | Therefore, in order to receive the best relief, |
| tendons to release chronic tension and pain. The | | | | trust a professional. |
| massage therapist uses pressurized strokes | | | | |