By Sunny Cooper, M.S., M.Ed., Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy (NCCAOM)
In my work as an Acupressure/ Massage Therapist, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous individuals who suffer from Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue. At first these patients were few and far between in my practice. When I first met them, I found them to be very interesting to work with on a number of different levels.
They almost always had incredibly complicated medical histories, often involving multiple surgeries, spinal injuries or other traumas, and emotional trauma. A history of abuse was not uncommon. They were smart, well-educated, often go-getting professional people who were clearly suffering. They were frustrated, discouraged, and disillusioned with what their doctors had to offer for their pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Most had been to numerous specialists seeking help. Quite a few had been told their symptoms were imaginary, and that they needed psychotherapy or a good swift kick to cure them of whining.
I wanted to learn as much about it as possible. Gradually, more patients with these problems began to come to see me for massage therapy, shiatsu and acupressure. I asked other bodyworkers and massage therapists if they were working with such clients, and most were, especially those who had busy practices and lots of experience. "Were the people getting better?" I would ask them. Most of the patients with Fibromyalgia were feeling better after receiving a few sessions of bodywork or massage.
I came to realize that there were numerous factors that could influence the outcome. Some of the variables included severity of condition, how long the person had had the condition, how much self-directed therapy they were willing to do between sessions, frequency of sessions, and other things.) Some symptoms seemed to resolve more readily, others were more stubborn and persistent. If a person was willing to come every week for 2 to 6 months, they could reasonably expect improvement in body comfort (muscular and joint pain), be sleeping better, have more energy, and experience steadier and more positive moods and emotional responses.
Soon I was seeing more and more fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients. Those who had been coming for a few months were often ready to make their appointments every 2 to 4 weeks instead of every week. Sometimes they would call for a session in between if they were experiencing more stress than usual. Most of them experienced cycles of improvement with mild “flares” in between, but the overall direction of progress was very good. A few of the people brought a spouse or other adult household member to their sessions, and I showed them how to do some simple in-home shiatsu and massage techniques to help their partner through the rougher days, or to lengthen the time between visits to my office.
As I continued to work with these syndromes, and continued to read about them, I noticed that massage and bodywork were almost always omitted in the discussions about therapies and management techniques. Some of my patients told me that their doctors would not recommend this work because it was not "scientifically proven." They came anyway, because they were after something else which can't be scientifically proven: better quality of life. All over this country, and others as well, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue sufferers are getting help from massage and bodywork, and other complementary therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine and osteopathy. Many patients work simultaneously with conventional and complementary therapies, and build their own team of professionals, each which contribute to their progress in a significant but very distinctly different way.
How can massage or bodywork help?
The benefits of massage are numerous. Here is a partial list:
* Relaxation of voluntary & involuntary muscles
* Calming effect on the nervous system, counteracting stress
* Moves body fluids, including blood and lymph, helping the body rid itself of waste and toxins
* Lengthens connective tissue, reducing inflammation and increasing flexibility
* Reduces pain and discomfort of muscles, joints, organs
* Stimulates the skin and superficial fascia
* Calms the mind and promotes restful sleep
* Provides nurturing, comforting positive touch
* Expression of positive regard and caring
* Locate and release tissue restrictions which impair function
* Facilitates patient's body awareness & health consciousness
* Quicker recovery from surgery/ accident/ trauma
* Free from harmful side effects of drug therapy/ surgery
* Helps increase immune competency
* Helps correct postural/ and structural imbalances
* Suitable to all age groups and health conditions
* Pleasant to receive, pleasant to give
* Promotes a positive mental attitude
* Balances the body's energy pathways
How much, How often?
Once-a-week sessions are a good way to start. If that is not possible, every-other-week will be beneficial but will not provide results as quickly. Regular sessions are a key to good results. After a while, as you feel better, you can probably increase the time between sessions without losing ground. I also work with fibromyalgia patients to help them learn body-awareness and self care skills, so you can take care of yourself more effectively between sessions.
Initially, you may feel sore after a massage session. This is a normal part of the body's healing process for everyone, and this may be a bit more for those with fibromyalgia. It is similar to the feeling of muscular soreness one gets when engaging in a new physical exercise. As your body changes, you will notice less soreness, and will come to enjoy and appreciate deeper work for its more lasting effects. Adequate hydration is very helpful for moving through any soreness quickly.
When someone comes to see me for the first time, I ask them to write out their medical history in chronological order, including any accidents, illnesses, surgeries, major emotional traumas (divorce, death of a loved one, etc) and, for women, their obstetrical history. This helps me understand more about you, and we will use this as a starting place to plan the work to be done. I use a variety of bodywork modalities in my practice. I will blend and combine the techniques uniquely for each person. They may include craniosacral therapy, acupressure points, lymph drainage, stretching, aromatherapy, massage strokes, and shiatsu. Through years of experience I have learned how to work with a blend of Eastern and Western healing practices.
When you begin having massage, you may feel much better for a day or two after your session. After a while, you may find you can maintain results for a couple of weeks, or even a month, between sessions.
A Few Final Suggestions for Fibromyalgia Patients:
* Remember, it is your body's own healing abilities and your attitudes and beliefs that create better health. It is not the pill, the technique, or the practitioner. Those things only create an optimal environment for healing to occur, just as incubator does not hatch an egg, but provides an optimal environment for an egg to hatch. There is no "quick fix" or magic bullet, but a process of learning and discovery along the path to better health.
*Ask questions, and if the answers sound strange, it may be because there are many different aspects of healing besides the chemical-mechanical systems familiar to us in conventional medicine. Many massage therapists have studied energy medicine, Chinese medicine, and other holistic systems that are based on principles that seem somewhat odd to many Westerners. Open your mind and you may find something there for you.
* Ask your massage therapist for homework. The more you are willing to do at home between sessions, the sooner you will notice changes. Gentle stretching, walking or swimming, nutritional supplements, herbs, breathing, meditation, reading assignments, and many other things you can do for yourself at home will contribute greatly to your progress.
* Fibromyalgia symptoms are very susceptible to stress, over-exertion, unhealthy foods, and even changes in the weather. Most fibromyalgia patients experience "flares" from time to time, even when their symptoms are usually well-managed. Each person's triggers may be different. You may want to have an extra massage session during a flare, and carefully observe any recent changes that may provide clues as to what things cause your flares.
*Find and use all resources available to you. Support groups, your own personal support network of family and friends, the health care team you build around yourself, personal skills you can learn, information through books and articles and many more resources are available to you. Those who have seen great improvement have found many different pieces to their individual health puzzle.
*"Get a Grip". This is what one of my clients termed it when she finally decided to take charge of her life and her health. She had to make some soul-wrenching decisions about how she was living her life, relating to family and friends, what her work was doing to her, and what was really important in life. Those who have restored their health to a high degree have been willing to explore deep personal transformation. If you want to change, you can't remain the same.
*Keep your sense of humor. When living with a chronic illness, it is very important to resist getting "dragged down" and overwhelmed by it. Live one day at a time as you create a better future, and remember, every day above ground is a good day.
You may also enjoy the article on Fibromyalgia for Massage Therapists
Sunny Cooper practices and teaches massage and Asian bodywork in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.
Have a massage!
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