FIBROMYALGIA AND MASSAGE

About 2 percent of Americans have fibromyalgia. That’s 4.8 million tired, sore people. Only osteoarthritis is more common among joint diseases. FMS makes up more than 5 percent of the patients in general medical practice, and accounts for 10 to 30 percent of all rheumatology consultations.

FMS occurs in women of childbearing age at a rate 7 to 10 times more frequently than men. Signs point to FMS being a disease of aging, as well, with only 1 percent of 20-year-old women suffering and more than 7 percent developing the disease by age 70. The median age of onset is 29 to 37 years old, with the median age of diagnosis falling between 34 and 53. During the 5 to 15 year gap between onset and diagnosis, sufferers are often confused, frantic and desperate.

The typical patient is a 40-year-old female with a history of insomnia and a recent physical or emotional traumatic episode. Clinicians also observe that she is dry, thin of frame and cold, with a lifetime tendency toward constipation.

Because FMS produces no definitive laboratory results, the diagnosis is one of exclusion. When all other possibilities have been excluded, FMS is what is left. The nomenclature is dense and confusing, but FMS is officially diagnosed when the following symptoms are detected:

• A history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body, on both sides and above and below the waist, that is present for a minimum of three months.
• Pain in at least 11 of the 18 identified tender-point sites

Some researchers contend the latter is the most common, and for FMS sufferers the most bothersome, symptom. This “fibro fog” is marked by feelings of confusion, memory lapse, word mix-ups and concentration difficulties.

Massage, properly performed, seems particularly helpful in treating fibromyalgia. Patients consistently report that they find bodywork to be the top therapy for providing short-term relief and long-term improvement.

In an effort to find out just what actually does help people feel better, German scientists examined various therapies and concluded that massage was ranked in the top four for patient satisfaction.

A study in the European Journal of Pain evaluated connective tissue massage. The researchers treated 23 FMS patients and compared them to 23 controls. The subjects received a series of 15 connective tissue massage sessions, which reduced depression and use of pain medication and improved quality of life. The massage benefits gradually increased over the 10-week study, eventually reducing pain by 37 percent. Take note, though, that the patients’ pain had gradually climbed back to about 90 percent of the original level six months post-study.

And therein lies the problem.  When pain is involved being consistent can prove difficult for some FMS sufferers.

Along with massage therapy, a regular exercise routine is absolutely required for FMS sufferers, and many studies confirm the benefits.

Exercise in warm water seems to be particularly beneficial. A recent waist-high warm water exercise study cites long-term lowered pain and increased strength.  A study published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine found that warm water exercise provided long-term physical and mental progress.

FMS sufferers often receive substantial benefits from yoga and relaxation techniques.  In a six-week randomized pilot study, researchers adapted a yoga program for FMS chronic back pain. The participants demonstrated improved balance and flexibility, and were less disabled and depressed. The group setting encouraged better body awareness and improved relaxation.

Tai chi can also be a good exercise choice in FMS. Two tai chi classes weekly for six weeks improved symptoms and quality of life for 39 patients in one study.

Pain, combined with difficult diagnosis and treatment, makes FMS a frustrating disease, to say the least. However, we all have great reason to be optimistic that as we integrate all the developments of recent years, FMS sufferers will one day soon find long-lasting relief.

Essential oils that may be beneficial for a person suffering from fibromyalgia:

Deep Blue,  Wintergreen or Helichrysum

Wishing  you Peace, Harmony and Balance