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Fibromyalgia and Massage Therapy: An
Effective Treatment Option
Fibromyalgia has quickly gone from being an unknown and
misunderstood condition to being one of the most widely studied
chronic conditions in American medicine. New treatments,
medications, and preventions are being developed every year to
help fibromyalgia sufferers.
One of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia has been
massage. The link between fibromyalgia and massage has been
tested and proven time and time again by fibromyalgia sufferers
around the globe.
Fibromyalgia and massage therapy go so well together because of
the nature of both. Fibromyalgia is a condition which affects
every muscle, joint, tendon, and ligaments in the body in some
people. Massage therapy is a treatment which provides attention
to these body parts, increases the circulation and warmth to
affected areas, and helps to relieve the pain associated with
fibromyalgia.
The link between fibromyalgia and massage therapy has been
studied for nearly as long as fibromyalgia has been recognized
as a medical condition. Fibromyalgia and massage therapy
studies have provided some valuable insight into both the
nature of fibromyalgia and the long-term effects of massage
therapy.
How Can Massage Therapy Help Fibromyalgia?
Massage therapy stimulates the natural pain-relieving
properties in the human body. The skin-to-skin contact and
tissue stimulation encourages the body to produce hormones that
relieve pain and produce a feeling of peace and relaxation.
Massage therapy can also physically manipulate the muscles that
have been strained and tense because of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia does typically cause tension, so relieving this
tension can help the sufferer to deal with the condition.
The range of motion and flexibility of a fibromyalgia patient
can also increase significantly after the application of
massage therapy, so that the patient is more easily able to
move and get the physical exercise that is usually recommended
in the course of treatment of fibromyalgia.
How to Find a Massage Therapist
If you suffer from fibromyalgia and massage therapy sounds like
a good option for you, you should start by finding a reputable
massage therapist. There are a number of ways to do this, so
whatever you are comfortable with will probably be effective.
First of all, recommendations from your doctor or other
healthcare provider are a great place to start.
If your doctor cannot provide a recommendation, going to
friends and family who have experience with massage therapists
is a good option. There are always phone book and online ads
for those who can't find a personally recommended massage
therapist.
If you decide to personally explore the link between
fibromyalgia and massage, you are doing something positive for
your health. You will start to feel the benefits immediately,
and they have the potential to be long-reaching and profound
benefits.
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