Massage for Fibromyalgia

[Jomaur]

Has anyone found that massage is helpful with Fibromyalgia and if so what type of massage is most beneficial?

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

I have occasional hot stone massages which I really find beneficial. I am tender for a few days after but then my pain levels reduce for a bit

[Jomaur in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you for your reply. I am trying to decide between Soft Tissue Massage and Deep Tissue Massage. I don’t want to go for anything that could possibly increase the pain I am getting and wonder if anyone has tried either type.

[alihetherington in reply to Jomaur]

Avoid deep tissue it absolutely kills!!!!!

[AllthatGlitters]

hi I have tried both and I use to be a massage therapist.

The deep tissue massage I get every month is great for me however it can sometimes leave me sore for 2-3 days afterwards.

Maybe to start off with if you haven’t had a massage before a soft tissue / aromatherapy massage may be better to see if you like the pressure of the massage and see how you feel afterwards.

Your massage therapist should go over an initial consultation when you first book in, to ask things about health or allergies etc

Hope you enjoy whatever you decide to have x

[E8L8dh in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Hi Jomaur,

As a Fibromyalgia sufferer I can understand using massage therapy. I attend an Osteopath for back pain and it really helps. Hope this helps

[Jomaur in reply to E8L8dh]

Thank you. Tomorrow I am going to ring to make an appointment for a Soft Tissue Massage as I have had increasing pain recently. My GP is useless when it comes to asking about pain relief so have decided I must find my own solutions. Am attending Beginner Pilates class but feel I need something else to help relieve painful muscles.

[Jomaur]

Thank you that is really helpful. Looking at local places the only one that seems to do deep tissue only has a male therapist and I would prefer a woman. The other place has two women who do soft tissue massage and would really prefer to see one of them. I have been to this clinic before to see the chiropractor and they always ask for full health details so I feel confident going there.

[Miclou]

I am a fan of reflexology, not sure how it works but my therapist is always spot on with where i am suffering pain and if my bowels are out of sync etc because of it... And It is so relaxing😊

[Mystique23 in reply to Miclou]

HiI'm a reflexologist myself and thought about going for some myself, but my feet are so sore at the moment not sure I could handle having my feet and all the uric crystals that have built up manipulated. Do you find it sore at all?

What about the next few days? Do you have bad healing crisis afterwards?.

[Miclou in reply to Mystique23]

No i generally dont feel sore after but it seems to balance things out, i think because i relax so much during it, this is also beneficial. When i miss a monthly session i can tell... My therapists touch always feels quite light, i have only ever been to one so don't know if this can vary from therapist to therapist.

[Silverstorm]

Yes, I definitely find it helpful. I go for a mix of hot stone deep tissue massage and light touch therapy massage (which apparently is for fibromyalgia). Both help in different ways. The deep tissue always hurts but feel so much better a couple of days later. Light touch doesn't hurt and makes me feel better straight away. It's finding what works for you.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Like other members the hot stone massage I found benefial but me personally I stay away from any deep tissue massage as it’s made me feel unwell after and lasted a couple of days .

[buddy99]

For me the intensity of the massage depends on how I feel. Sometimes a relaxation massage is all I can tolerate, other times I'm good with a deep tissue massage. My therapist has found that warming up the area to be massaged beforehand works very well for me. So the heating pad is moved around my body.

[Calliope62]

Hi Jomaur,

I have a massage every 2-3 weeks. I find deep tissue far too painful, so I have a combination of a classic and lymph drainage. In my case I have found it an invaluable tool in my 'toolbox' for symptom relief. I find that having it on a regular basis, and combining it with a gentle stretching regime, reduces the frequency of flare-ups.

I hope you get some relief.x

[SpikeDinosaur]

Hi Jomaur,I have MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) massage regularly and it's been a complete game changer for me. MLD is super light, I would describe it as rapid stroking with very little pressure. Initially had three sessions close together and now about once a month to six weeks. It is the only thing which stops my elbows and hips hurting for a while.

[Kitten-whiskers]

Good afternoon Jomaur, I find them extremely benefical and go for an hour a time - I opt for a mixture of relaxing and trigger point, to keep costs down I do have some Trigger Point Balls and do yoga. That said you need to research who you are thinking of seeing, the previous person I saw was in it for the money so never done much to help me but the lady I have been seeing for many years goes out of her way to help, I could not rate her highly enough.

Best wishes

Debs

[MaggieSylvie]

Myofascial release.

[Blearyeyed]

It is really a matter of trial and error , and if you do choose to try a massage therapy it's important to begin with a short trial session rather than a full session to see how your body responds , and reduce the possibility of being put off using something that could be helpful because you get a bout of DOMS ( delayed onset muscle soreness) from jumping straight in with a full length massage session.As others have said , Deep Tissue Massage or Sports Massage therapies are usually better avoided with Fibro as even short sessions of such intensive pressure can cause severe DOMS , even in people without Fibro.

Soft tissue therapies , Medical massage , Manipulation therapy , Bowen therapy , light brushing and lymphatic massage can become good additions to your self care regime.

However , it is better to research the therapists available in your area and choose one with experience of treating people with medical conditions like Fibro , Arthritis, and other chronic conditions rather than a person found in advertising or recommended by a friend with no health issues. They understand more about the needs and body responses of someone like us.

Often , it's worth looking up the therapists reviews but also asking for recommendations from local support groups from various illness groups ( which can be done via messaging on Facebook,) for therapists they have used , are recommended by members.

It's also important to prepare your body for massage therapies. Believe it or not , it's not one of those things you should try when you are at your worst but when your symptoms are generally stable , and you aren't recovering from a Fibro flare or infection. It's odd , I know but massage is a therapy which will help most if you feel better , or the release of toxins it produces can , not only bring on DOMS , but bring on a flare of other symptoms because of the inflammatory and Autonomic nerve response it can cause.

It's also important to prepare your body before trying physical therapies like massage.

You need to be well hydrated because of the release of toxins and inflammatory response. So it's important, even with a short session , to drink the recommended amount of water each day for a few days before and have a big drink of water both before and straight after the session.

It also helps to have a warming shower or do some gentle warm up movements to prepare and relax your muscles before the session ,,and do some cool down movements , dress warmly afterwards and have a warming shower or bath for a few minutes after you get home.

All of these tips can reduce the chance of DOMS or a Fibro flare in the 48 hours after the therapy.

Making sure you take a daily vitamin and mineral supplement after your fattiest meal of the day can help improve symptoms anyway , but it is also important if you don't usually take supplements for at least three days before physical therapy like massage . The reason for this is the same as the reason for drinking more , because as the toxins are released from your tissues your body responds with a wash of nutrients , having adequate levels of these prior to therapies reduces you feeling sluggish or fatigued for days after the massage. Most people don't think about it but the massage of muscles actually gives them a workout similar to other types of physio or exercise activity.

Taking the precautions are worth it. If you follow the rule of a Girl Guide to ' Be Prepared ' you can end up having a therapy that can make a big difference to your physical and mental symptoms each month, rather than having issues that could put you off trying something that could be of benefit to you had done it with a little extra care.

Hope things work well for you , Bee

[Jomaur in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you for all your advice which is really helpful. The therapist I am seeing has experience of treating people with Fibromyalgia and has been a massage therapist for over 20 years and is also a medical herbalist so I feel quite confident about seeing her.Hoping this will help although realise I may need a number of sessions before feeling the benefits.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Jomaur]

Yes you may as you need to build up the time of sessions and find the best technique and pattern of massage for you.Unfortunately, massage isn't one of methods that will fix things , when you get benefits you need to keep up regular sessions to maintain the positive effects.

It's worth it though if it reduces the pain and symptoms a noticeable amount and helps your wellbeing.

[Elaine200756]

Hi Jomaur, I have monthly massage and find it really helpful. It helps to ease my pain and relax me. I have hot stone massage, which is also gentle 🤗

[skit]

HiJomaur

My non Fibro friend and I go for a spa experience every other month.

We use steam and sauna before massage.

The back and the lower neck are helped most with my Fibro symptoms.

I can ask masseur's to increase or decrease pressure as they know us well now.

I agree light exercise like Pilates with all the controlled stretches works wonders even on mini flare times.

I am blessed by having a physio who has branched into a Pilates business😀

[Jomaur in reply to skit]

The Pilates class I go to is run by someone who is a trained physio and I went to her for 1:1 sessions before joining the class. She tells me just do what I can manage and feel comfortable with. I find standing for any more than a few minutes very painful but am happy doing the floor movements.

[Esradral]

Hi, I have had fibro for about 10 yrs now and I can't stand anyone touching me, the slightest prod or poke feels very sore indeed, all over my body. The thought of a massage makes me cringe in pain and it has never let up even with all the meds I'm on.

[Wobblygirl]

I booked in for 2 v short sessions of deeper massage but explained fibro effects so he altered the programme...First one hurt but did help tremendously...

Second one hurt but after effects went on for wk or so... He just touched my neck and it upset everything despite feeling great at the time! He was extremely knowledgeable and professional and wanted me to sign up for more but I just can't afford to feel so bruised afterwards...

Frightened of anyone touching me now!

Hot baths, more heat and rest keep my pain measured without any drugs...

However, masseur said I shouldn't use heat???

Why is it all so complicated?

Anyone heard of that advice?

Would love 2 hear from you? X

[BelleTower]

Thai massage is HEAVENLY and leaves me pain free for a long time. Thai massage applies gentle firm pressure to key missler groups, a real Thai masseuse will use her own body to leverage these points … it is impossible to find real Thai massage where I am (northeast US) … if you can find it where you live you will be so glad