What is Fibromyalgia (FM)
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain and tenderness. There are many other symptoms that are associated with FM such as fatigue, tension headaches, cognitive difficulties, and irritable bowel syndrome. As more research is being done about this condition it is becoming more clear that it is actually a central nervous system disorder, even though muscle pain is one of its primary symptoms. Evidence is pointing to the idea that FM is a disorder of central nervous system pain processing pathways instead of a primary auto-immune disorder of the peripheral tissue, as it was once was believed to be.
Who Develops FM
Women are more likely than men to develop FM. But it is actually way more complicated than that. The likely hood that someone will develop FM isn’t well-known, however there are two variables that seem to related. One is genetics, and the other one is personal trauma. In other words FM tends to run in families, and well personal trauma is a little more complex. (It’s not like us women already have enough to deal with, lets just throw Fibromyalgia our way also)
Treatments
There is no one pill or treatment that cures fibromyalgia or even relieves all of the symptoms, so those who deal with this condition take different approaches. Most will likely be taking medication prescribed by their primary care physician.
Massage Therapy and Fibromyalgia
Of all the alternative therapies available, more and more research is showing that massage therapy provides real benefits to people dealing with a number of health conditions, including fibromyalgia. A study in 2011 showed that massage therapy caused reductions in sensitivity to pain at tender points in patients with FM, as well as lowering anxiety levels and increasing quality of sleep. Another study from 2014, which systematically reviewed nine other studies about massage therapy and FM, found that massage therapy had immediate beneficial effects on improving pain, anxiety and depression in patients with FM.
According to this same study, massage therapy is particularly effective when it is administered to soft and connective tissues because this improves muscle flexibility, as well as modulating local blood and lymph circulation. There is not one specific technique that is more effective with FM than others, although myofascial release has been shown to be somewhat helpful.
So the Short Answer is Yes massage can be beneficial in helping Fibromyalgia clients manage pain and get better sleep quality.
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