Fibromyalgia and Massage Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
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The healing hands of a trained massage therapist can help ease many fibromyalgia symptoms, including some that may surprise you. Massage can relax tense muscles, of course. But by increasing circulation and relaxing fascia—the tissue that covers and connects muscle throughout your body—it can also ease fatigue, relieve ache-y trigger points, boost your mood and help you get a more refreshing nights’ sleep. In fact, some massage therapists firmly believe that this hands-on healing modality belongs at the center of treatment for fibromyalgia. Experts recommend 1 to 2 sessions per week for several weeks or longer, but the good news is that self-massage can also help.
Fast Facts:- Work with a licensed and/or certified massage therapist trained in massage for people with fibromyalgia. Ask your doctor for a referral.
- Massage for fibromyalgia shouldn’t hurt. Communicate with your therapist during your massage so that you stay comfortable at all times.
- Many styles of massage can help, including myofascial tissue release, Swedish massage, reflexology, Reiki, neuromuscular therapy, and cranial-sacral therapy.
- In one study, yoga plus simple self-massage techniques using wooden rollers reduced pain and anxiety for people with fibromyalgia.
- In another, massage helped people with fibromyalgia sleep longer at night. Cameras showed they moved less during the night, a sign they felt less pain.
H.O.P.E. | Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia
hffcf.org — “Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia: Important and helpful information for sufferers of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” View full resource at hffcf.org
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