Does Massage Help With Fibromyalgia? 7 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

By Steven

On June 9, 2021

Can massage help with fibromyalgia? Yes, it can. Although this painful condition doesn’t have a definite cure, massage therapy is an effective way to manage it.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD), over 5 million Americans battle with the challenges and pains of fibromyalgia.

Hence May 12 each year is set aside for National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. This awareness day helps to throw more light on this painful condition and also educate Americans about it.

Also Read: Best Massage Gun For Arthritis

What Kind Of Massage Is Best For Fibromyalgia?

Here are some of the kind of massage that has proven to be effective in managing the pains associated with Fibromyalgia:

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are painful areas situated in the muscle fiber’s band. Fibromyalgia patients tend to have more of these painful spots than persons without this syndrome.

In trigger point therapy, you use your finger pressure to deactivate trigger points. First, you have to identify the painful spots, and then you exert the needed pressure.

That way, you will be able to alleviate your pains and discomfort.

Swedish Massage.

Swedish massage is a kind of massage therapy that combines beating, friction, kneading, and gliding/sliding.

This helps increase the flow of fresh blood to areas of your body that lack oxygen and nutrients and are nutritionally starved.

Swedish massage is important for fibromyalgia patients because it helps them to relax. Another thing is that this type of massage promotes stress relief which is vital for healthy well-being.

Myofascial Release.

Myofascial release is effective for pain management because it elongates your muscle fiber when you apply it regularly. However, you should ensure to exert gentle sustained pressure into your connective tissue.

That way, it will help to reduce your pains and restoration of motion.

Hot-stone Massage

Hot Stone massage is one kind of therapy people with fibromyalgia find effective.

This type of Massage involves your therapist placing flat, smooth, and heated stones on vital spots of your body and making use of them as massage tools.

Also, this technique will allow your body to relax.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is beneficial for people living with fibromyalgia symptoms. Besides, this technique is common amongst athletes, trainers, and other sports professionals.

4 Massage Benefits For People With Fibromyalgia

Below are some of the benefits of having massage therapy if you’re diagnosed with fibromyalgia:

#1. Improvement of your muscle tone. Massage therapy is essential in strengthening your lax muscles. As a result, you have a high energy boost and renewed vitality in your body.

#2. Removal of your headaches. When the flow of blood to your brain is improved, it will reduce your headaches. Additionally, such pain relief will help to put your mind in a much healthier space.

#3. Improving your mental clarity. Massage therapy will help you become relaxed and calm. As a result, your mental clarity will improve.

#4. Relaxation to improve sleep. Massage sessions help people with Fibromyalgia have quality sleep at night. Hence your body will recover faster from fatigue and mental burnout.

What To Expect When Getting A Massage For Fibromyalgia

A professional massage therapist that’s qualified and with years of experience can help you identify the best massage to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Also, these experts will ask you about your pain level, symptoms, and other general health-related questions.

Depending on your level of sensitivity and tender points in your body, your therapist may combine one or more of the massage types mentioned above.

Or better still, they will use a relaxation massage to calm your mind and energize you. Because fibromyalgia causes mild to chronic joints and muscle pain, you must tell your therapist how much pressure is comfortable.

Also, expect that massage therapy will leave you relaxed and less stressed. Furthermore, recent studies show massage is an effective therapy to treat Fibromyalgia.

Moreover, it was found that five weeks of massage therapy had immediate positive effects in improving a patients’ anxiety, depression, and pain.

With this in mind, you can see that massage is an excellent alternative form of therapy that should be considered in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Moreso, frequent sessions can help to enhance your well-being, quality of sleep and reduce extreme tiredness.

Also Read: Does Massage Help With Stress: A Vital Detail You Need To Know

The seven symptoms of Fibromyalgia You Shouldn’t Ignore

The chances of fibromyalgia affecting a woman are seven times higher than it could affect a man. This condition affects anyone at any point in their lives. However, studies show it’s more likely to occur in women between the age range of 30 years to 50 years.

Here are seven symptoms of Fibromyalgia you shouldn’t ignore:

#1.Widespread Pain

One of the first symptoms associated with fibromyalgia is widespread pain. That’s you will feel it throughout your body. But then, it could be worse off in specific regions like your neck or back.

Widespread pain tends to persist for an extended period, though it could be more severe or better at different points in time.

A person with fibromyalgia feels pain like this:

a burning sensation

an ache
a sharp, stabbing pain

#2. Stiffness

Another sign that shows you have fibromyalgia is you have a feeling of stiffness. Also, you will experience a more severe stiffness when staying in the same position for an extended period.

For instance, when you wake up in the morning, stiffness will cause your muscles to spasm, making them squeeze painfully and tightly.

#3. Extreme Sensitivity

Extreme sensitivity is one main symptom of fibromyalgia you shouldn’t ignore. When you have fibromyalgia, you will likely become sensitive to pains all over your body. Even the slightest touch could cause you pain.

And if you hurt yourself, the pains will persist longer than they should generally do. Additionally, you could be sensitive to bright light, smoke, and certain foods. And your other fibromyalgia signs could manifest when you’re sensitive to certain things.

#4. Poor Sleep Quality

People with fibromyalgia often wake up in the morning feeling tired despite sleeping for several hours. One thing for sure is that this condition can affect your sleep quality because it makes you not sleep deeply enough.

Hence you don’t get adequately refreshed. Medical experts call it non-restorative sleep.

#5. Fatigue

Extreme tiredness (fatigue) is one main symptom associated with fibromyalgia. And this can be a mild tired feeling or complete exhaustion. People with severe fatigue lose energy quickly and usually get too tired to participate in even light activities.

#6. Headaches/Migraines

When you have fibromyalgia, you will likely experience stiffness and pain in your shoulders and neck. Hence you may also suffer from frequent migraines and headaches. And this can range from mild headaches to severe migraines.

#7. Cognitive problems

Fibro-fog is an issue related to cognitive processes, like thinking and learning. People who have Fibromyalgia may have:

Challenges with focus or concentration
Trouble understanding and learning new ideas
Confused or slowed speech

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia patients include;

Some people with Fibromyalgia also develop dizziness and clumsiness
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Anxiety and depression

Restless leg syndrome ( this is an urge to move your legs)
Feeling too hot or too cold
Feeling of numbness, prickling, tingling, or burning sensations in your hands and feet, especially with women.

Final Words

Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes a musculoskeletal disorder. And this usually leads to extreme pain and tiredness in the fibrous tissues and muscles all over the body.

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia patients don’t have one clear path of recommended treatment. But massage therapy is one way to manage this condition.

Also, other medical suggestions to combat fibromyalgia include painkillers, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, and lifestyle changes, including exercise.

Furthermore, people who have a tight schedule may not have enough time to visit a massage therapist. That’s why excellent and effective alternatives like massagers are available.

Lastly, we recommend you check out the Opove M3 Pro massager if you have developed one or more fibromyalgia symptoms. It’s an inexpensive but effective method to treat this condition.

Read the article to check reviews of the Opove M3 Pro.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website results from in-depth research on various topics. The articles on this site are only for informational and educational purposes, and it’s not intended as medical or health advice. Hence, we suggest you always ensure to seek the opinion of your doctor or other qualified health personnel regarding any questions that relate to health objectives or medical conditions.