Research shows massage therapy to be an effective approach to treating FMS. (See the research section below for the latest studies.) Besides relaxing tight, sore muscles and improving circulation so your muscles can heal, I will individually tailor your massage therapy sessions to address your symptoms of FMS:

• Pain - Massage activates the release of pain fighters - endorphins that reduce the perception of pain.
• Fatigue - poor-quality sleep is a major factor of FMS, possibly even a cause. In deep sleep (Stage IV) the body releases growth hormone responsible for repairing and replacing our cells but FMS sufferers rarely achieve this level of sleep. Massage has been shown to improve the quality and duration of sleep naturally. Even FMS sufferers using sleep medications may find they can use less of the meds with regular massage.
• Digestion - Abdominal massage directly impacts many of the body's internal organs and improved digestion and relieves symptoms of IBS, gas, and nausea.
• Depression - Massage can alleviate depression through increasing the body's production of serotonin and endorphins.
• PMS - massage combined with reflexology for the reproductive system has been shown to more than double the relief for PMS symptoms.

What is FMS - Fibromyalgia Syndrome and What Causes It?

Fibromyalgia is a "syndrome" because is doesn't have one specific organic cause. But it is very real! Doctors can now diagnose it, and specific physiologic changes in the body are measurable. For more information, a great resource is the Fibromyalgia Network .

While the underlying cause or causes of FM still remain a mystery, new research findings continue to bring us closer to understanding the basic mechanisms of Fibromyalgia. Most researchers agree that FM is a disorder of central processing with neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter dysregulation. The FM patient experiences pain amplification due to abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system. An increasing number of scientific studies now show multiple physiological abnormalities in the FM patient, including: increased levels of substance P in the spinal cord, low levels of blood flow to the thalamus region of the brain, HPA axis hypofunction, low levels of serotonin and tryptophan and abnormalities in cytokine function.

Recent studies show that genetic factors may predispose individuals to a genetic susceptibility to FM. For some, the onset of FM is slow; however, in a large percentage of patients the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body. These events may act to incite an undetected physiological problem already present.Continued work will look at the hypothesis that FM is caused by an interpretative defect in the central nervous system that brings about abnormal pain perception. Medical researchers have just begun to untangle the truths about this life-altering disease.

Recent Research on Massage and FMS

Research shows massage therapy to be an effective approach to treating FMS. Studies have shown massage results in improved sleep patterns, decreased pain, less fatique, fewer incidences of anxiety and depression, and decreased cortisol levels (Journal of Clinical Rheumatology)

Other studies confirm that half-hour sessions twice weekly not only cut the pain by 38% but also exerted a favorable impact on fatique, mood, and sleeping patterns. (European Journal of Pain, Journal of Clinical Rheumatology)

General studies indicate that relaxed muscles naturally result in a reduction of pain, stress and anxiety. In addition, massage therapy has been shown to stimulate the production of endorphins - the body's natural painkillers. (American Massage Therapy Association)

Types of Massage Suitable for FMS

The two keys to massage for fibromyalgia are neuromuscular re-education and gentle, Swedish-type massage techniques. The key is to go at your own pace.

• Neuromuscular Re-education: a series of tension releasing techniques that target the 18 tender points of FMS.
• Lymph drainage: Promote the flow of the lymphatic fluid through the body, cleansing toxins and boosting the immune system.
• Mobilizations/Stretching: These passive stretches promote muscle mobility and release strain.
• Reflexology: Can be targeted to PMS or TMJ which are common symptoms of PMS.
• Abdominal massage: Impacts many of the body's internal organs to improve digestion, increase circulation of blood and lymph, and improve the flow of energy to the organs.
• Reiki: For patients in extreme pain, this gentle touch can work wonders to bring about deep relaxation.
• Relaxation and self-care techniques: Reducing stress is an on-going process, and there are many ways to continue the benefits of massage between sessions.

Therapy Schedule

Fibromyalgia patients usually visit their massage therapist once every one to two weeks for a one-hour, full body massage. If you are very sensitive to touch or in a flare-up situation, 30 minute massages twice a week may help more as you work up to a full hour session. Each FMS client is unique, so feel free to discuss your symptoms and how you felt the days after the massage with your therapist. During a massage session, give feedback about what muscles hurt the most. After the massage, relax for 10-15 minutes while drinking a glass of water. Water is essential after massage to flush out substances such as lactic acid or other toxins that were trapped in tight musle regions. A hot soak in a tub or shower that night can help prolong the benefits of the massage, and aid in sleeping well that night.

Testimonials

"What a relief! I felt much better and was able to sleep more than a few hours." On Fibromyalgia Network, patients shared these thoughts:

"Five years ago, I discovered massage therapy and now find myself functioning very well. I don't know what I would do, or how I could function, without massage."

"The change in my body after seven months of routine massage was tremendous. My headaches are less frequent and I take less medication than I have in years."

"Before weekly massages, my muscles never knew what relaxed was. .. I have less pain. Now that I know what relaxed muscles feel like, I can monitor my muscles to untighten them."

Other Complementary Therapies

Complementary therapies can be very beneficial. These include: physical therapy, therapeutic massage, myofascial release therapy, water therapy, light aerobics, acupressure, application of heat or cold, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, aromatherapy, cognitive therapy, biofeedback, herbs, nutritional supplements, and osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation.