Massage has been undervalued for a long time. Most people assume that it’s a mere pampering experience, but that couldn’t be further from the truth here at Greentoes. For people living with conditions like fibromyalgia, massage therapy can be a huge game changer. The benefits of massage for fibromyalgia patients have been thoroughly studied and well documented. If you have fibromyalgia, you might want to head to one of our massage tables.
Massage Has Always Been Used For Pain Relief
Massage has been a popular remedy for pain relief for thousands upon thousands of years. It was especially helpful before modern medicine, when options were limited. Since massage therapy has ancient origins, it’s been perfected and adapted for four entire millennia.
Contemporary massage is slightly different and it’s been modified to work in conjunction with modern practices. Since the 70’s, massage has been a popular complementary or alternative therapy for people living with all kinds of conditions – even just the run of the mill aches and pains.
Every different kind of massage offers different benefits, and people with fibromyalgia will be able to make the most of those benefits.
Massage And Fibromyalgia
Medical professionals have long studied massage and the positive effect it has on fibromyalgia patients. Pain, stiff joints, and fatigue are the most common complaints from fibromyalgia patients, and massage therapy can improve all of them.
Massage lends itself to controlling hormones, primarily by reducing the bad ones and increasing the good ones. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is drastically reduced through massage. Serotonin production is increased. Serotonin, in conjunction with being a natural pain reliever and mood booster, lends itself to other balances within the body.
Since high cortisol and low serotonin lend themselves to things like anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, their role reversal is crucial. When you have less cortisol and low serotonin, you’re able to sleep better. You feel less fatigue, and you’re generally more optimistic.
Massage can also help control Substance P levels, which is crucial for the treatment of fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia are subject to high levels of Substance P, a peptide which heightens the sensitivity to pain. This is why people with fibromyalgia typically have lower pain thresholds.
Since a massage can be adapted to address tender or sensitive points in the body, by reducing muscle tension and improving circulation, people can experience pain relief in their problem areas. The end result is improved flexibility and a greater range of motion, which improves overall physical wellbeing.
All of these benefits work together to make life easier for people living with fibromyalgia. Symptoms are managed, pain is reduced, and limitations are removed. Fibromyalgia shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your life, and it doesn’t need to.
Massage Options For Fibromyalgia Patients
People with fibromyalgia will likely see the best benefits from two common types of massage: deep tissue and Swedish. Each massage is slightly different, and a little bit of the choice boils down to pressure preference.
Deep tissue massages are a little more intensive. They focus on specific muscle groups that are profoundly affected, making them the most beneficial for fibromyalgia patients who have pre-existing injuries that are exacerbated by their condition. Since fibromyalgia lowers the pain threshold, old aches that weren’t properly managed are likely to come back.
Deep tissue massages will break down scar tissue and stimulate the blood flow to tough, stiff muscles. This re-invigoration allows muscles to fully heal with time and the results are even better with multiple massage treatments.
Swedish massage is more of a general massage, making it the best choice for fibromyalgia patients who experience a variety of assorted aches and pains, as well as general muscle tension or fatigue. Swedish massage broadly addresses a wide variety of concerns while promoting relaxation. It’s more or less a full-body tune up.
The Kinds Of Pain Massage Can Relieve
Massage is for the entire body. It does more than focus on a narrow concern. You’ll see a combination of relief in both physical and mental symptoms that can be associated with conditions that involve chronic pain.
The Muscles
- Relaxation
- Stimulation
- Increased flexibility
- Better range of motion
The Body
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves blood circulation
- Increases lymphatic circulation
- Limits pain enhancing peptides
The Mind
- Reduces stress hormones
- Increases feel-good endorphins
- Minimizes symptoms of anxiety and depression
Let Us Show You How It Works
At Greentoes, we provide Swedish and deep tissue massages for patients with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions. We want to help you ease your symptoms and relax. We strive to create an ideal environment for people to slow down and find their calm with our amazing massage therapists. Book a massage online with us so you can start to experience the benefits of massage for your fibromyalgia.