This past weekend I was out Christmas shopping and an elderly woman and I started talking. I told her I was a massage therapist in Indialantic and she started sharing with me that she was suffering from Fibromyalgia in Melbourne FL. She asked me if massage would help. I told her that I would have to do some research on the topic. I came across the following information and thought I would share what I learned about Fibromyalgia and how massage helps those suffering with Fibromyalgia.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia carries a very strong psychological component. The patient is usually depressed, suffers from mood swings, easily bursts into tears, has significant sleep disturbances, and is mentally and physically fatigued. Additionally, the patient may have many related physical complaints: migraines, bruxism (teeth grinding), TMJ problems, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic pain, tachycardia (increased cardiac rate), Raynauld’s phenomenon and chronic rhinitis.
The pain-causing physical expressions of chronic inflammation consist of mild swelling of the soft tissue, tension in fascia, pathological hypertonus of muscles, significant decrease in blood supply and calcium depositing in the soft tissue.
Benefits of Melbourne FL Massage Therapy For Fibromyalgia Sufferers
Massage therapy in Melbourne, FL 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. Melbourne Massage therapy benefits include:
· increased blood circulation to the muscles, allowing for faster muscle repair
· increased flexibility
· increased range of motion
· decreased stress and depression
· reduced pain
· reduced stiffness
· 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.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Because poly-fibromyositis is a chronic condition, one must remember that the first three to four treatments can possibly aggravate the clinical picture. For an unclear reason, only 10 percent of FM clients react with aggravation of pain. In any case, we recommend that the FM client be informed of the possibility of reaction. The reason for this aggravation of pain is the intense stimulation of oxygen supply to the “hungry” cells and the excessive release of toxic waste products from the tissues into the circulatory system. Usually, however, during the first 10 to 15 correct massage therapy treatments, the client can, in fact, notice clear, significant positive changes. One must keep in mind, however, that the healing process requires time.