Fibromyalgia Massage
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome, a collection of symptoms that occur together, and not all patients have all of them. "Fibro" means fibrous tissue {connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments.} "Mya" means muscles, and "Algia" means pain. To sum it up, Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles and connective tissues of the body. It is a chronic connective tissue disorder characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and weakness. The disease is characterized by multiple tender points on the body. The tender points are found in specific locations around the neck, back, upper and lower extremities.
The American College of Rheumatology has established general classification guidelines for the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. According to these guidelines the diagnosis is made clinically by the physician based upon a history of multiple areas of aches or pain for at least three months and have a minimum of 11 of the 18 points on the body that are abnormally tender under relatively mild pressure.
Fibromyalgia affects about 7 million people in the U.S. and 90% of them are women. These patients experience widespread, chronic muscle aches and pains, most commonly in the back of the head (occiput), upper back, neck, elbows, hips and knees. The pain generally persists for weeks to months and is often accompanied by stiffness. Signs of inflammation are particularly absent.
Another frequently reported complaint of patients with Fibromyalgia is headaches with associated facial pain that may be related to the tenderness they are experiencing in their neck and shoulders. Fibromyalgia can also predispose to an increased sensitivity to noises, bright lights, odors, and touch, similar to what are experiences during a severe migraine headache. These patients also experience what's become known as "fibro fog", where they feel fatigue, unable to focus or concentrate, have a short attention span, short term memory loss, and just an overall "out of it" feeling.
What are the treatment options?
Pharmacologic treatments typically used in patients with Fibromyalgia include Antidepressants, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, Acetaminophen and Sleeping Aids. But medication can tend to make people feel groggy, and it's really only treating the symptoms, not offering any long term results. Fibromyalgia needs to be treated with an entire lifestyle of healthy activity. This includes a healthy diet rich in veggies & fruit, alot of water intake, at least 8 hours of sleep each night, daily light exercise such as walking, yoga or swimming, and daily stretching routines. Also, it's very important to keep your stress level down if you have Fibromyalgia. Therapies for pain and stress management are not new. Some alternative therapies have been practiced for thousands of years but their use has become more popular in recent years, especially with people who have chronic illnesses, such as Fibromyalgia, arthritis, headaches, chronic back pain, among many other conditions.
These therapies have been shown to be especially beneficial for people with Fibromyalgia:
• Physical Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Massage therapy
• Meditation
• Infusions of Membrane Stabilizing Drugs
• Exercise Therapy
• Aquatic Therapy
• Trigger Point Injections
How can massage help my Fibromyalgia symptoms?
Massage greatly reduces all the symptoms of fibromyalgia over time. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine learned the following in a scientific study: "Those who got 30 minutes of massage once a week for five weeks had less anxiety and depression and lower levels of stress hormones." Other benefits supported in the study included a decrease of pain, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. They typically found that they sleep better after a session because they are relaxed and have less pain, and their levels of substance P {a neurotransmitter in the pain fiber system} decreased, along with the number of tender spots throughout their bodies. They often lose the mental fuzziness called "fibro fog," and some have consulted with their doctors and reduced pain medication.
How is Fibromyalgia Massage different from just a regular massage?
It’s extremely important to find a therapist like myself who has had advanced training specifically in massage for fibromyalgia. Someone who is not educated on this condition could only make it worse, since it's such a sensitive condition. Each patient will be different, but we would generally start off with a gentle massage and work deeper over time, according to how the client feels. Massaging too deep could have the patient spending the next 3 days in bed! Some patients stay with a lighter touch massage, and some respond better as we start working deeper. This will not be a painful experience. Even if you feel like it hurts to be touched at all, a light swedish massage will still benefit you. We focus on putting the entire body in a state of relaxation as well as focusing on the parts that are causing the most pain. For no extra charge, we most often incorporate plenty of heat with each massage, using hot stones and towels to warm up the muscles, relaxing them as much as possible. We also include aromatherapy at no charge, if the patient so desires. Essential oils have many healing benefits, and depending on how the patient is feeling that day decides which aroma we use. For example, Tangerine and Grapefuit are great for clearing "Fibro Fog". Chamomile and Lavender are good for releiving stress, headaches/migraines, depression, and anxiety. Ginger, Rosemary and Peppermint are great for muscle aches and pains.
Fibromyalgia patients also require massage more regularly than people who don't suffer from the condition. A 30min, 45min or 60min. massage once a week is best, or once every 2 weeks. If you get massage once a month or just wait until you feel like a trainwreck to come in, you will only be treating the symptoms, and you may feel better for a day or 2, but then you will feel just as bad as you did when you came in. Regular, frequent massage is necessary for this kind of pain management. Here, at Leia's Renu, we have treatment plans at discounted rates just for these patients to make it financially possible to be treated this often.
Give us a call at 438-5342 or email us at LeiasRenu@yahoo.com with any questions. We want you to know there IS someone who understands your pain, and can help. Make an appointment today and take back control of your life!
Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHmvqNbaCmM
to see our Focus On Health spot on the local news. We talk to doctors, and to one of my Fibromyalgia patients {my mother} about how massage has helped her.
Testimonials from Fibromyalgia Clients:
"I absolutly love Leia's massages. They are truly therapeutic & she is very receptive to customize the massage to what you need, particularly when you are in pain or feeling discomfort. I have made a commitment to seeing Leia on a weekly basis because I have realized the benefit of regular massage. Thank you Leia for all your work. I am glad you are in Madison!"
~ Glorily 10/10/08
~~ On a personal note:
Feel free to call or come in for a Free Consultation. I can answer any questions you may have, we will go over the process and what each massage will be like. I have seen the amazing results massage can have on Fibromyalgia, and I want to encourage anyone suffering from this condition to give it a try! My patients all report amazing results and have even cut their medication in half! It is my passion and my focus to help you.....many people still don't understand your pain. They may think it's something else, or that it's all in your head. My mother, who has suffered from this disease for 14 years, is my inspiration. I have learned all I can about the condition itself and the massage techniques that offer the best benefits. Please pass the word on to anyone you know who struggles with this sydrome. I understand your pain, and I really can help.
~ Leia McCumber
Sleep better at night.....Relieve the widespread
muscle aches and pains........clear that "Fibro Fog" feeling.......focus better......have more energy........decrease your anxiety and depression..... Manage your pain! Request to see Leia for this treatment, she is Certified & Specializes in this therapy.
to see our Fibromyalgia segment on NBC 15 Morning News.
"Two years ago, I was in a car accident. For a long time, I was in a lot of pain and kept wondering if I would have to suffer for the rest of my life. I tried physical therapy, acupuncture, and several prescription drugs, but nothing took away the constant nagging pain. Eventually, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Then, a friend told me about Leia and that she specializes in Fibromyalgia massage. I decided to give it a try since nothing else was working. Ever since then, I have been getting a massage from Leia every other week, and it has completely changed my life! Before trying massage, I was taking 6 prescription medications which provided very little pain relief. Almost every day was a bad day. Now, with the help of massage, I only take 2 prescription medications and I feel so much better! Not only does Leia use the techniques and pressures which are most effective for Fibromyalgia, but she is also a very caring individual and always makes me feel at ease. I am so thankful for all Leia has done for me and I plan on being a loyal customer for many years to come. "
~ Elizabeth 4/15/09
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6401 Odana Rd
Madison, WI 53719
{608}438-5342
LeiasRenu@yahoo.com
