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massage therapy
Has anyone found that massage therapy helps with fibromyalgis symptoms. I'm going friday for my first visit. What can I expect?If you had any positive results how long did it take. was it a painfull experience for you. What about any other ways of dealing with the pain. Any suggestions?
Thanks, both of you, for the massage tips, because with cold weather setting in here, I'll be in dire need of some good massage therapy before long !
Cold weather always amps up my pains and fatigue.
I've seen the hot stone massage performed on the Travel Channel on one of Samantha Brown's programs. I'd hope one doesn't have to stay at the ritzy hotels she frequents to get a good hot stone massage.
Oye ! Happy Thanksgiving to all !!
Cold weather always amps up my pains and fatigue.
I've seen the hot stone massage performed on the Travel Channel on one of Samantha Brown's programs. I'd hope one doesn't have to stay at the ritzy hotels she frequents to get a good hot stone massage.
Oye ! Happy Thanksgiving to all !!
sorry I have not been up to date on this topic. But I have read all of them and They have helped me to better myself in trying to make my cfs and fibro clients feel better. I have recently found out that stretching and passive assistive is a good start. Also I saw hot stone therapy, and Yes hot stones are an excellent part of therapy. What it does is it is moist heat that helps to penetrate the superficial muscles and allows the therapist to reach the deeper muscles. If you are looking for a great massage like 30andfatigued suggested go to a chiropractor or a hospital. or if you go to a spa ask for trigger point or myofacial release. I hope all is well and Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING::::
I get trigger point release massages weekly. She can't go too deep (which only you can know what is too deep - usually you stay in pain for the next 2-3 days). We started using hot stones to help loosen the muscles and get to the trp's that are deep down in the skeletal muscles. It's heavenly. It's not your typical massage - like from a spa. I actually go to a chiropractor's office and see my massage therapist first and then get adjusted by the doctor. I find the combination to be a good one. Any massage I've gotten from a massage therapist at a spa usually is too superficial (not deep enough) to actually help the trp's release. The minute they hear "Fibromyalgia" they're scared to touch me. So I see a "therapeutic masseuse" - It's not as relaxing as a spa - and it certainly doesn't smell as good - but it's a heck of a lot more effective for my symptoms. Not to mention cheaper! Check with the hospitals in your area to see if they have a therapeutic massage division - they seem to be a lot more educated about our condition(s).
I've had the same experience- with a massage hurting on the surface and yet seeming to be more soothing underneath the surface... in the deep tissues.
And you're right. Communication with one's therapist is very, very important. I have a medical doctor and a therapist I visit regularly and so it's a sort of team-effort between the three of us trying to find the best way to treat my CFS and Fibro... and we've hit some snags, but also made some breakthroughs.
One thing I can tell everyone who suffers from CFS and Fibromyalgia... avoid antibiotics !!
And you're right. Communication with one's therapist is very, very important. I have a medical doctor and a therapist I visit regularly and so it's a sort of team-effort between the three of us trying to find the best way to treat my CFS and Fibro... and we've hit some snags, but also made some breakthroughs.
One thing I can tell everyone who suffers from CFS and Fibromyalgia... avoid antibiotics !!
It's Amy again...I find that after a massage, (if this makes sense) it hurts on the surface from her pressing hard in certain areas, but, deeper, I feel better, my pain is noticably less...
Massage is one important component of my treatment (which includes not only various medications but frequent stretching, a TENS unit, warm baths, trigger point injections when they're bad, a balanced diet and vitamins, trying to get enough sleep, etc.). I found a great massage therapist with experience in treating fibromyalgia patients and trigger point massage. I got a membership at the place where she works so it's less expensive. At first I was going weekly, now about every 3-4 weeks. Communication with your therapist is VERY important - where you hurt most that day, when his/her pressure is too strong or not strong enough, how it's most comfortable to lay, etc.
Mel - I have the same problem sometimes... where sometimes a massage wll actually make me feel worse depending on what my other symptoms are doing. If I'm having an IBS flareup, or something along those lines, or one of my panic attacks a massage might actually make me feel worse.
That's why I like the gentle-touch massage, or accupressure massages the best. They don't seem to interact badly with my digestive symptoms as much.
That's why I like the gentle-touch massage, or accupressure massages the best. They don't seem to interact badly with my digestive symptoms as much.
Hi there,
I had CFS a couple of years ago and was never diagnosed with Fibro but certainly had the symptoms. I am now in trouble again, but it's not CFS according to my specialist. Am getting the Fibro pains again on and off now.
I absolutely loved getting a massage but to be honest it made me feel (and still does) quite unwell for a few hours afterwards. I've since found out that I have Postural Hypotension (low blood pressure that drops even lower when I stand up) so that might explain it a bit.
I love to feel a massage - I like deep pressure and when it hurts, fantastic! I have a wonderful massage therapist who often concentrates on my back, neck and shoulders because that's helping me the most at the moment and although it hurts at the time, the next day it may ache from the tension being released but it won't hurt. Ahhh...
I've booked an appointment, but now I can't remember when it's for! hehe
Mel
I had CFS a couple of years ago and was never diagnosed with Fibro but certainly had the symptoms. I am now in trouble again, but it's not CFS according to my specialist. Am getting the Fibro pains again on and off now.
I absolutely loved getting a massage but to be honest it made me feel (and still does) quite unwell for a few hours afterwards. I've since found out that I have Postural Hypotension (low blood pressure that drops even lower when I stand up) so that might explain it a bit.
I love to feel a massage - I like deep pressure and when it hurts, fantastic! I have a wonderful massage therapist who often concentrates on my back, neck and shoulders because that's helping me the most at the moment and although it hurts at the time, the next day it may ache from the tension being released but it won't hurt. Ahhh...
I've booked an appointment, but now I can't remember when it's for! hehe
Mel
The most soothing and relaxing massage for me is a very gentle touch. Almost like the masseuse is floating her fingers over my skin, especially on my back. It really helps me relax and it soothes away any tensions that could contribute to my CFS symptoms.
My CFS symptoms are mostly muscular (pain, stiffness, etc.) and digestive (IBS, nausea) in nature. And those Kombucha teas really work wonders for me.
I'm interested in this Price group... I'd like to have a look at their research. Is it available on line ?
I'm sorry Co-Q10 doesn't help you- it's one of the supplements a lot of people reccomnd for CFS. But... that's one of the first things I learned about CFS... it effects everyone that has it differently.
My pains are so concentrated in my chest and arms that for a while I thought I had heart disease or something along those lines. And I've had the swollen lymph nodes under my arms. But, unlike a lot of CFS sufferers, I don't have the sore throats.
I think that's what makes CFS so hard to diagnose and treat- everyone's body reacts differently, that has it.
My CFS symptoms are mostly muscular (pain, stiffness, etc.) and digestive (IBS, nausea) in nature. And those Kombucha teas really work wonders for me.
I'm interested in this Price group... I'd like to have a look at their research. Is it available on line ?
I'm sorry Co-Q10 doesn't help you- it's one of the supplements a lot of people reccomnd for CFS. But... that's one of the first things I learned about CFS... it effects everyone that has it differently.
My pains are so concentrated in my chest and arms that for a while I thought I had heart disease or something along those lines. And I've had the swollen lymph nodes under my arms. But, unlike a lot of CFS sufferers, I don't have the sore throats.
I think that's what makes CFS so hard to diagnose and treat- everyone's body reacts differently, that has it.
The Weston Price group is based on research and a book by Dr. (not remembering at the moment). He's a dentist who studied native cultures and determined that the ones with healthy teeth had certain eating habits and for one thing that many native cultures used fermented foods much more than we do. The fermentation aids digestion by adding good bacteria. There's a possible link of digestion and CFS since systems that regulate digestion are the ones not working well in CFS, hence the high incidence of IBS. However, there is some thought that in reverse, poor digestion, contributes to CFS. So all that is the vague logic of the importance of fermented foods such as kimchi. I'll add though, that the Price group is a little fanatical. When I looked at their research studies page proving their ideas, I noticed questionable bits but wasn't familar enough with the studies to say. Then I came across one I was familiar with and they'd completely twisted around the facts. However, the logic of fermented foods makes sense to me since it's true that most native cultures used them and our bodies developed on them - it would go along with your yogurt drinks too!
I'd love to take co-q10, but I react poorly to it. It increases my cfs symptoms over the course of several weeks, until I'm not functional, and I stop taking it. Same thing happens with iron, and cod liver oil, and calcium. Go figure :).
The massage messed up my lower back since she didn't do the whole body, so I'll probably find someone else to finish it up. I used to enjoy them pre-cfs even when it was intense and about fixing something. Now on the part that was done, it didn't feel that good, and still doesn't. I did react very well to myal facial style stretching. It was the first time I felt like I was back in my body. That' so great that your friends does it - and that she's good at it. If it feels good - I can definitely picture it as distracting from what it regularly feels like inside one's body.
I'd love to take co-q10, but I react poorly to it. It increases my cfs symptoms over the course of several weeks, until I'm not functional, and I stop taking it. Same thing happens with iron, and cod liver oil, and calcium. Go figure :).
The massage messed up my lower back since she didn't do the whole body, so I'll probably find someone else to finish it up. I used to enjoy them pre-cfs even when it was intense and about fixing something. Now on the part that was done, it didn't feel that good, and still doesn't. I did react very well to myal facial style stretching. It was the first time I felt like I was back in my body. That' so great that your friends does it - and that she's good at it. If it feels good - I can definitely picture it as distracting from what it regularly feels like inside one's body.
Kimchi ? I've heard of kimchi but didn't know it had health benefits. I'd like to know more.
I also drink DanActive Immune boosting yogurt drinks... and they help keep my immune system up. And I take a lot of supplements. A good supplement to take no matter what ails you is Co-Enzyme Q10, or Co-Q10 as it is sometimes called. But it is pretty expensive stuff.
My friend who gives me the massages knows accupressure... and she is very good at relieving my myriad of pains. It's kinda... um... distracting ? Is that the right word ?
What I mean is that I can sit and let her massage me for hours on end, if she'd do it. I'd spend half my life getting a massage if I could get away with it !
I also drink DanActive Immune boosting yogurt drinks... and they help keep my immune system up. And I take a lot of supplements. A good supplement to take no matter what ails you is Co-Enzyme Q10, or Co-Q10 as it is sometimes called. But it is pretty expensive stuff.
My friend who gives me the massages knows accupressure... and she is very good at relieving my myriad of pains. It's kinda... um... distracting ? Is that the right word ?
What I mean is that I can sit and let her massage me for hours on end, if she'd do it. I'd spend half my life getting a massage if I could get away with it !
Thanks for all the info. I hadn't heard of any of these products. Fermented is susposed to improve gut bacteria and in return then improve other health issues, so the chinese tea means sense. I found some good kimchi to eat - but that stuff is too spicy for my taste buds. I'll have to check them out for myself. thanks!
I take NatraBio homeopathic meds- they have a full line of stuff, and I use the ones they make for Pain and for Arnica relief along with ActiveOn for my pains. Mostly I have muscle and joint pains in my upper body (arms, chest, upper back, etc.). I have a recurring case of Chostochondritis and the NatraBio Arnica relief is really good for this, so is the ActiveOn. ActiveOn you can get just about any place- it's that stuff they advertise with the "Apply Directly to the Forehead" commercials on cable channels like Weather Channel and Discovery.
Well... that's actually their slogan for "HeadOn" (which is really good too, for headaches and neck and facial pain). But, ActiveOn is by the same company.
You can find out more about NatraBio at http://www.natrabio.com
But, usualy NatraBio products are only available in Health Food and Vitamin stores. I get mine at Vitamins Plus.
I've also started drinking Kombucha- a fermented Chinese tea that I found in the fridge case at Vitamins Plus. It's got an odd taste until you get used to it (which wont taste so odd if you drink a lot of beer... ) but ever since I started drinking it I've had less pains and less of the other symptoms that were bothering me (nausea, irritable bowel, low apetite...).
I don't know if these things will work for everyone but they've helped me a lot. I've had CFS for six months now and it's been a sort of trial and error experience, trying new things to see what gives me the most relief.
It's kinda like turning yourself into your own lab experiment. But... I think sometimes, if you're careful and watch what you're doing a person can often be just as good at treating themself as some doctors !
Well... that's actually their slogan for "HeadOn" (which is really good too, for headaches and neck and facial pain). But, ActiveOn is by the same company.
You can find out more about NatraBio at http://www.natrabio.com
But, usualy NatraBio products are only available in Health Food and Vitamin stores. I get mine at Vitamins Plus.
I've also started drinking Kombucha- a fermented Chinese tea that I found in the fridge case at Vitamins Plus. It's got an odd taste until you get used to it (which wont taste so odd if you drink a lot of beer... ) but ever since I started drinking it I've had less pains and less of the other symptoms that were bothering me (nausea, irritable bowel, low apetite...).
I don't know if these things will work for everyone but they've helped me a lot. I've had CFS for six months now and it's been a sort of trial and error experience, trying new things to see what gives me the most relief.
It's kinda like turning yourself into your own lab experiment. But... I think sometimes, if you're careful and watch what you're doing a person can often be just as good at treating themself as some doctors !
Which meds...and what pains do you take them for (since CFS/FM can have so many types)?
Oh, my goodness... yes ! Massage therapy is wonderful ! I have a friend who is a qualified masseuse, and she gives me massage treatments as often as possible to help me with my Fibromyalgia, and the manifestations of CFS that involve joint and muscle pain. And it really works wonders for me !
It's actually more helpful than any of the meds I've taken.
And, though a little off topic, I tend to use homeopathic meds to deal with my Fibro pains. No side effects, and they work really well.
It's actually more helpful than any of the meds I've taken.
And, though a little off topic, I tend to use homeopathic meds to deal with my Fibro pains. No side effects, and they work really well.
had my massage therapy but didn't help much. how many sessions should it take to feel some results.will it help with arthritis
I'm sorry - I don't know at this point how they are doing with it since they moved out of the country, nor what type of massage. It was nothing fancy, no special names or special training. Mine yesterday didn't work out very well. The person only did very upper back and neck in spite of my saying I just wanted a general overall. I described a bite problem and she focused on it (and I was clear that the wasn't the main reason for visit.) Result is everything not worked up is in pain, partially from laying on table, partially from taking the tension left from the part done. Doesn't seem like good technique to do just small part of person on first visit in 13 years? Like it's almost guaranteed to transfer tension to undone areas.
On the parts done they are okay now after sleeping, and fluids and a warm bath. Neck shoulder were fine afterward. Arms did the thing they've done before, feeling like I'd over exercised, but now it's okay and probably a little looser than before. In past a PT did myial facial release and it worked very well. It made me feel like I was back in my body for the first time since I'd gotten sick - and allowed me to start feeling and using my body again with some conciousness (which has left with all the pain and other weird sensations that go with this illness.) See pressed some points in butt/legs for a few minutes to undo pain from not doing whole thing. It was too much pressure and they still hurt. I once tried reflexology and had immense pain in feet for a few days or more afterward, but eventually it went away (couldn't walk comfortably). I could see the basic massage and stretches doing good, relaxing, sending coordinating signals in the body, if she'd done it all. The bite thing seems better aligned, so I'll take that (inside of my mouth on that side is sore even though not touched, so something was impacted.)
If you figure out info on massage and cfs - please do come back and let us know!!
On the parts done they are okay now after sleeping, and fluids and a warm bath. Neck shoulder were fine afterward. Arms did the thing they've done before, feeling like I'd over exercised, but now it's okay and probably a little looser than before. In past a PT did myial facial release and it worked very well. It made me feel like I was back in my body for the first time since I'd gotten sick - and allowed me to start feeling and using my body again with some conciousness (which has left with all the pain and other weird sensations that go with this illness.) See pressed some points in butt/legs for a few minutes to undo pain from not doing whole thing. It was too much pressure and they still hurt. I once tried reflexology and had immense pain in feet for a few days or more afterward, but eventually it went away (couldn't walk comfortably). I could see the basic massage and stretches doing good, relaxing, sending coordinating signals in the body, if she'd done it all. The bite thing seems better aligned, so I'll take that (inside of my mouth on that side is sore even though not touched, so something was impacted.)
If you figure out info on massage and cfs - please do come back and let us know!!
can you please let me know how the CFS person is doing with the massages and what type of masssage is working for them.. I have a CFS client and I've been doing deep tissue on them once a month.
hello, I just wanted to know how your massage turned out. I'm a massage therapist and I was trying to find out about CFS and I read your question.. I just want you to know I work on several fibro clients and they love it. The only thing is that the therapist cannot go too deep. If you are sore for more than two days it was too deep. Go and get anotherone but tell them to go lighter and do more stretching techniques.
I have fibro, and I love a massage. You just have to be sure to tell your massage therapist when he gets too deep on the tender points, to the point of pain. It will increase circulation a lot. Be sure to drink lots of water for rest of day, helps flush toxins out of your muscles... Enjoy!
Hi, massage varies a lot person to person. I know one cfs person who felt it was improving her over time and considered it one of her main treatments. By contrast occasionally someone finds it acts like exercise in the cfs muscles and creates a mini-crash. That was true for me, but I've improved and doubt it will be the same now since I did okay with myalfacial release from a PT. So I'm scheduled for the first one in years, next week!. This all might apply to cfs and not fms. Generally I know a number of people for whom it's helped the myalfacial style pain they get in neck and upper back. It's well worth the try and see what you're reaction is!
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