massages

[Kazzza1976]

hi guys does anyone know if massages are good for fibromyalgia. I had a full body massage today and now my body is in so much pain. My body felt ok when I was getting the massage apart from pain at the back of my legs. But now my whole body is in alot of pain . Has anyone got any advice please

[Rebel12]

Hi Kazzza I have fibromyalgia and have had a few massages which left me with terrible pain and dizziness. Even though I asked for a gentle one not sure about everyone but definitely no benefits for me . Hope you’re recovering.

[Chrissy1953 in reply to Rebel12]

hi. I've got fibromyalgia and tried a very gentle shoulder and back massage. The problem was, I tensed because I thought it would hurt . So not the best idea. However I have been going to aqua aerobics for years and it's wonderful. Tell your instructor what you have and adjust the level of the exercise to fit you. I for one cannot raise my arms over my head... so I don't.

Good luck

[Aishahb5364]

I’m unable to have massages as it triggers a fibro flare. The only think that helps me is doing gentle exercises in the swimming pool. Something about the cold water tricking the body and I just feel the cold not pain, really weird. Works for me but made my friend with fibro worse. It’s so individual that I think you just have to try and see. Maybe a sauna would help relax your muscles better but I’d start with 5 minutes or so to see how your body reacts.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Aishahb5364]

I am going to try sauna and maybe aqua classes in water. I would not get a massage again

[Aishahb5364 in reply to Kazzza1976]

Maybe start off with gentle exercises in water as aqua aerobics can be intense if you fibro. You need to build up slowly and listen to your body. It’s a fine balancing act between doing enough to build your fitness levels and doing too much and triggering a flare

[Gizmok9]

I regularly have massages and some times sore after but I find helps it relax muscles and breaks down knots, so a Benefit. I have them weekly when I can afford, even just the time out pamper helps.. it also helps me continue working

[veggiefan70]

I think you need to be very careful regards who does the massage. I use a physiotherapist and never have a deep tissue massage The physio I use knows about Fibro and I'd never risk going to anyone else..

[Southport-beach]

Hi Kazza1976,I have a friend who has been doing her Aromatherapy Massage exams. Jeanine asked me if I would be a case study due to my health issues. I jumped at the opportunity for free massages as, in the past, I have always felt better afterwards. Unfortunately after the first massage I was in agony all over and unable to sleep for a few days. For the second massage (a few weeks later) she changed the oils to more relaxing scents and used a lot less pressure.I slept wonderfully but, yet again, I ended up in a lot of pain for days afterwards.Its so annoying as the massage itself felt so wonderful as Jeanine was really careful and it was little more than a gentle stroke. It seems that massages cause flare-ups for me as well.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Southport-beach]

Yes same has happened with me at the time massage was lovely but later that night and today I’m in a lot of pain x

[Dinkie]

I have massages as part of my chiropractor treatment but any person carrying out the treatment needs to be aware of the specific problems of fibro. It took me ages to find a chiropractor who actually understood fibro and the problems associated with it. I have never had pain afterwards just a warm glow and easier mobility.

[Harpo33]

Try having a hot bath to relax your muscles, worth a try.

[Midori]

You need to choose your therapist carefully. Many don't understand how much we hurt when they are working on us. Don't go for a deep tissue massage, but try a relaxing one instead.

Masseurs are not all trained in the same way, you will get a less strenuous workout with a Beauty therapist's massage than with a person trained in either Swedish or Turkish techniques.

All that being said, even a gentle one can feel severe if you are unused to this style of bodywork.

After I quit nursing I trained in Therapeutic Massage, and later got talked into doing a beauty therapy training, but the massage was vastly different between the two systems. Arthritis now prevents me, as well as the Fibro.

Cheers, Midori

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Midori]

Had to fill in a health questionair first and she said with me having fibromyalgia I can’t have a deep tissue massage and it will be more of a relaxation massage

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

I find massage really helps - I go to a remedial sports therapist, so get deep tissue & hot stone massage

I'm always in more pain and really sensitive to touch for a few days after, but once that eases then I really feel the benefits

I just wish I could get them on nhs more regular so I can really benefit

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

I didn’t realise we could get them on nhs x

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to Kazzza1976]

It's not widely available - but I'm sure some physios can include massage as part of a treatment plan (maybe only through a pain clinic)

you used to be able to get therapies such as massage, bowen, reiki etc at the centre for integrative care in Glasgow - but their funding for things like that was drastically cut

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

I will look into it. I am waiting for physio and pain clinic as well.

[rosewine]

I had a back massage and within half an hour I was in really terrible pain and it took days for thr pain to dampen down. I must admit I wouldn't be keen to have another one. It was a gentle one so I hate to think what I would have been like with a more vigorous one.x

[Will2015abc]

hi Kazza. I think like many of the lovely replies it all depends on a few things. The therapist the type of massage and just how much we struggle with Fibro. For me I cannot deal with deep tissue (lovely at the time but Jesus the next day!). I have had very very light aromatherapy massage (and I mean light!!!) and that seemed to work for me when I can afford it. But in case it wasn’t covered in the replies so far - the pain WILL settle down for you. There won’t be any lasting effects and it won’t worsen the fibro so don’t worry you havnt done any damage. Rest up move gently when you can and this will pass. Wishing you and everyone here well. 🙏

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Just me personally I stopped having them as I felt okay at the time but the. Felt unwell at least couple days after. Xx

[Meditationlover]

What type of massage was it? Deep tissue massage, or sports massage, would be to intense, but a gentle therapeutic massage should be better xxxx

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Meditationlover]

Hi it was not a deep tissue massage she said she will give me more of a relaxation massage but I am still in pain now on arms and legs two days later. I would not have another massage again, I am going to try the swimming pool see if the water helps

[Meditationlover in reply to Kazzza1976]

What a shame, I must admit I won't have massage, I've been tempted, but I'm too sensitive. I hope you feel better soon xxx

[frances8a]

I find massage helpful. Its painful at the time but after removing all the knots and when everything settles down, I feel much better . Unfortunately the benefits for me don't last long. I go for a gentle swim afterwards and then into a sauna. If only I could afford to do this weekly . It's my Xmas, birthday treats. I find aquafit helpful too. Sometimes I do a few excersizes in a swimming pool before I swim and then a hot shower.

[Debsdelight72]

Hi Kazzza1976,

I too wondered if I would benefit from massage, Hmmm, The only benefit I had was not falling straight on my face and managed to aim for my butt, The lady as so very sorry and I stopped her from calling ambulance, It was actually a nice gentle but deep massage,

We had a chat before and I was to call out if it was hurting at any point, I called out twice. when I fell I think It was a mixture of my rotten dizzy unbalanced pain in the rear,Poor lady was in such a state,

It took three of them to help me back into my power chair, She wouldn't take money, so Hubby took her some flowers and a sorry card, I wrote don't be above the sorry bit, The following day I had the most horrendous flare, This was July and I'm still waiting for a break from it,

One of the crappiest things with my flare ups is they tend to stick around with me anything from a couple of weeks to a few months. Nobody knows how this blooming fibro works and we are all very different, For all we know it might be fantastic for you, You never can tell what will happen until you've tried,Good luck with your adventure

Take care Debs

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Debsdelight72]

Yes me too when I get flare ups I can be in bed for a week. My doctor has advised me to get up and move about and try and stay active but when having flare ups it’s difficult to move about. I keep setting goals for myself and saying right tomorrow morning I am going for a walk in the park and the next morning I can’t get out of bed it’s awful. Hard to think I used to walk everywhere and now I’m in pain just walking a little bit

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Debsdelight72]

Yes me too when I get flare ups I can be in bed for a week. My doctor has advised me to get up and move about and try and stay active but when having flare ups it’s difficult to move about. I keep setting goals for myself and saying right tomorrow morning I am going for a walk in the park and the next morning I can’t get out of bed it’s awful. Hard to think I used to walk everywhere and now I’m in pain just walking a little bit

[J-68]

I have regular massages with a therapist who understands fibromyalgia it’s never a deep issue massage but just gentle massage and I gradually built up the length of time and it really helps