Relieving Fibromyalgia Pain with Massage Therapy
Fibromyalgia can be a debilitating condition that causes the sufferer to experience chronic pain, poor sleep, muscular aches, and body-wide points of tenderness. In addition to chronic pain, those affected can face mood swings, memory problems, and fatigue. This ailment affects women more often than men, but the symptoms are manageable with proper care.
Here at Ultimate Health Clinic, we offer treatments that will help those who suffer from fibromyalgia find relief. One treatment that is very effective in relieving pain is massage therapy. Through regular applications of therapeutic massage, sufferers of fibromyalgia can greatly reduce the side effects they experience as a result of this syndrome.
How Fibromyalgia Affects the Body
Fibromyalgia severity and flare-ups depend on various hormone levels in the body. In the human body, hormones are released by endocrine glands, such as the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands. The hormones released vary greatly in the effects they produce. For example, serotonin is type of hormone that helps with sleep, regulating pain, and digestive functions. Sometimes, these hormones are released unpredictably. Depending on how these hormones are released, fibromyalgia can go into remission or flare up without warning.
Fibromyalgia generally affects both the upper and lower body such as:
- Neck
- Lower back
- Shoulders
- Back of the head
- Hands
- Legs
- Arms
- Thighs
- Jaw joints
- Chest
Symptoms have a wide range of triggers, such as stress, lack of sleep, overexertion, poor levels of physical activity, temperature, disease, and trauma. Fibromyalgia is neither progressive nor life-threatening, but it does lower a person’s quality of life. Many people who suffer from the ailment continue to work and function normally, while others may be completely unable to function.
Is There A Cure for Fibromyalgia?
There has been no cure found for fibromyalgia. However, improving lifestyle management skills is a great way to help sufferers manage and reduce their symptoms. These skills help to prevent loss of muscle, anxiety disorders, depression, and heart disease.
How Therapeutic Massage Reduces Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Therapeutic massage can help manage the effects of fibromyalgia by reducing the amount of sympathetic firing your system experiences. This system is responsible for what’s commonly known as the ‘fight or flight’ response. Massage also increases the level of parasympathetic hormone in your body, which encourages your system to digest and relax. Patients who undergo two or three half-hour sessions a week tend to see the most improvement. Though longer sessions are also beneficial, the most important thing is to maintain a regular massage schedule. Every person will have a different response to massage therapy, but long term results are directly tied to regular sessions.
After Therapy Care & Benefits
Many fibromyalgia patients that undergo massage therapy will experience better levels of sleep, lower stress and pain levels, increased serotonin levels and a better sense of overall well-being. Following each massage session, the therapist will give each patient steps, which are meant to help them continue to function comfortably. When the suggestions are followed for at least 8 weeks, overall levels of chronic pain and stiffness should decrease significantly.
How We Can Help
For many fibromyalgia patients, touch can equal pain. However, under the skilled hands of the registered massage therapists here at Ultimate Health Clinic, they can find healing. Our office uses a variety of therapies including Swedish massage, which encourages relaxation and improved blood flow to the heart, and hot stone massage, which uses heat to reduce pain and soothe the muscles. We are dedicated to helping you live your life without pain, so what are you waiting for? Give us a call at (905) 251-0162 to find out more!
