Massage Therapy and Fibromyalgia

Massage therapy can help fibromyalgia sufferers

Feb 20, 2007 Sylvia Carlson

Why is massage therapy one of the most beneficial treatments for fibromyalgia?

What is fibromyalgia? It is said to be a chronic painful condition that produces musculoskeletal pain and tenderness at specific locations in the body, pain and swelling in the joints, chronic sleep problems and fatigue.

The Arthritis Society of Canada suggests that fibromyalgia affects every 3 out of 100 Canadians. Women are at least four times more likely than men to develop fibromyalgia and it typically occurs in people over age 50. Comparitively, fibromyalgia is said to affect approximately 3 to 6 million people in the U.S. today.

Why is massage therapy one of the most beneficial treatments for fibromyalgia?

Massage therapy can help to address most of the symptoms of fibromyalgia:

increase blood circulation
increase flexibility
increase range of motion
decrease stress and anxiety
reduce pain, swelling and stiffness
improve sleep

The Touch Research Institute - Massage Therapy Studies on Fibromyalgia Syndrome:

Massage therapy helped to improve sleep patterns, decrease pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression and cortisol levels in adults with fibromyalgia. Sunshine, W., Field, T., Schanberg, S., Quintino, O., Fierro, K., Kuhn, C., Burman, I., and Schanberg, S. (1996). Fibromyalgia benefits from massage theray and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 2, 18-22.
Fibromyalgia patients slept better, and had lower substance P levels and less pain following a month of biweekly massages. Field, T., Diego, M., Cullen, C., Hernandez-Reif, M., Sunshine, W., & Douglas, S. (2002). Fibromyalgia pain and substance P decrease and sleep improves after massage therapy. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 8, 72-76.

What can you do to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Moderate the quantity and quality of physical activities
Practice relaxation and stress management techniques
Find a good massage therapist
Exercise in moderation (i.e. walking, swimming, yoga)
Use heating pad/warm showers and baths

Learn more: fibromyalgia, suite101-fibromyalgia, What is Fibromyalgia?, Arthritis and Massage

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