Gentle Massages

Gentle Massage therapy is a hands-on treatment that is becoming more and more popular, both with fibromyalgia patients and other pain sufferers. In massage therapy, your muscles and soft tissues are manipulated in order to relieve stress, reduce pain, and increase flexibility. Usually done with the hands, there are a variety of different techniques used to give a massage. Common techniques involve stroking, kneading, and palpating the muscles.

How Does Massage Therapy Work?

Massage therapy can really reduce the pain, stiffness, and tender points caused by fibromyalgia syndrome. But how does it manage to do this? Well, no one is 100% sure on how massage actually reduces pain, but it may have something to do with the central nervous system. It is theorized that massage therapy actually enhances the production of certain pain blockers, including endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These hormones work to counteract pain signals conducted by the brain, and this would explain why massage offers such dramatic pain relief.

Benefits of Massage Therapy For Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Massage therapy is actually one of the most beneficial treatments for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. In fact, in a survey completed by fibromyalgia sufferers, massage therapy was rated the best fibromyalgia treatment option by an overwhelming margin. Massage therapy benefits include:

• Increased circulation to the muscles, allowing for faster muscle repair
• Increased flexibility
• Decreased stress and depression
• Reduced pain
• Reduced stiffness
• Improved sleep patterns

In a 1996 study, fibromyalgia sufferers reported a 38% decrease in pain symptoms after receiving just ten, 30 minute massage sessions. They also reported a significant decrease in their sleep difficulties: they began sleeping for longer periods at a time and were disturbed less by sleep disorders.

Types of Massage Therapy

There are a variety of different kinds of massages that are on offered by our massage therapists. Some of the most popular massages include the Swedish massage and the deep tissue massage. Other types of massage include myofascial release, shiatsu, and reflexology. Here are a few types of massage that you may find beneficial for relieving your fibromyalgia pain.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is one of the most popular forms of massage used in North America. The Swedish massage technique is designed to increase the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the muscles. This helps to flush out toxins and improve the flexibility and health of your muscles. Swedish massage is characterized by long, gliding movements, which involve stroking the body with the thumbs, fingertips, and palms. However, Swedish massage also makes use of kneading and tapping techniques, and uses vibration to benefit the body.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep-tissue massage is a vigorous therapy used to loosen areas of hardened or inflexible muscles and tissues. It targets the deep layers of your muscles and tendons, helping to release tension and chronic muscle pain. Deep, pressurized strokes are usually made along or across the muscles. Because deep tissue massage uses slower and deeper strokes than Swedish massage therapy, you may feel a little pain immediately following your treatment. However, this pain should disappear within a day or so.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release techniques help to relieve stiffness and tightness in your body’s fascia, caused by myofascial pain. The fascia is a thin layer of tissue that covers all of your muscles and organs. In fibromyalgia, sometimes the fascia can become extremely short and tense, resulting in pain. Myofascial release therapy uses stretching techniques to relieve this pain. The therapist first locates an area of tightness on your body. She gradually stretches this area, holds the stretch, and then allows the fascia to relax. The process is repeated until the fascia is completely relaxed.

Call us today to schedule a massage with one of our amazing massage therapists!

                       (303) 790-1450