Are you feeling fragile and broken?

Hello Beautiful Community!

Thank you for the continued questions and the opportunity to discuss massage with you. With the damp season coming up, conversations are turning often to arthritis, and other syndromes that are affected by the weather.

Chronic conditions like fibromyalgia can cause widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes: pain all over the body, sleep problems, deep fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it can be effectively treated and managed once you are properly diagnosed.

Research suggests massage therapy can increase quality of life and decrease pain for people suffering with FM. Benefits of massage include pain relief and a reduction in anxiety and depression. The following are a few types of massage therapy that have been shown to be the most impactful.

SWEDISH MASSAGE is a gentle technique that promotes general relaxation. The five basic strokes associated with Swedish massage (effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, and vibration) have been shown to improve circulation and blood pressure.

MYOFASCIAL MASSAGE is considered by many to be the best treatment for myofascial pain and stiffness, which are also symptoms of fibromyalgia. By relieving this muscle stiffness and pressure, and improving blood flow, clients experience pain reduction and better mobility.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE is a modality of massage that focuses on the health of your lymphatic system by encouraging movement through a rhythmic stroking treatment. By addressing congested areas or areas of swelling, clients experience a restored feeling of wellness, better mobility and a reduction in joint pain.

RAINDROP AROMATHERAPY METHOD This treatment helps to bring balance and wellness to the body by combining targeted massage techniques and using specific remedial organic essential oils and heat to the body. Although clinical studies have not been done to verify the efficacy of this treatment, I can share with you that I have had several clients over the years that suffer from fibromyalgia (or chronic fatigue), who have found pain relief and overall wellness with the Raindrop Method, and use it as part of their regular wellness plan.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, talk to your massage therapist today about developing a treatment plan that suits your own needs. A little TLC can go a long way.

I have space on my table. Let me know if you’d like to chat about treatments. ​

Clinical Studies:
Castro-Sánchez, A.M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G.A., Granero-Molina, J., Aguilera-Manrique, G., Quesada-Rubio, J.M., Moreno-Lorenzo, C. (2011). Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011:561753
 
Li Y.H., Wang F.Y., Feng C.Q., Yang X.F., Sun Y.H. (2014) Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2014 Feb 20;9(2):e89304. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089304. eCollection 2014
 
Castro-Sánchez, A.M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G.A., Granero-Molina, J., Aguilera-Manrique, G., Quesada-Rubio, J.M., Moreno-Lorenzo, C. (2011). Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011:561753