31 March 2022
 Categories: , Blog

Massages were long seen as a luxury and something that people only really did because it felt good in the moment. That perspective is quickly changing. Massage is now being seen and used as more of a therapy. It can be helpful for athletes, those with arthritis, and even for patients with fibromyalgia. In fact, massage therapy has several distinct benefits for patients with fibromyalgia. 

Reduced Muscle Cramping

For many fibro patients, muscle cramping is a serious issue. You may develop cramps after some activity, or you may always feel a little cramped and tight. Massage therapy can loosen up your muscles, in general, which will make them less likely to cramp. You'll be more comfortable throughout the day, and you may be more willing to be active when you know cramps aren't coming.

Stress Relief

Some of the stress and anxiety that fibro patients feel are innate to the disease, and some of the stress comes from the day-to-day burdens that come with managing your disease. Massage can help in both cases. It can relieve your primary stress by reducing pressure on certain nerves, and it can ease your secondary stress by reassuring you that you're taking good care of yourself.

Better Sleep

Massage both loosens you up and eases your stress. Looser, less stressed people tend to have an easier time sleeping. If you're someone whose fibro comes with a lot of insomnia, this makes a massage a very good choice. Sleeping better can help ease your other symptoms, too.

Reduce Tender Points

Many fibro patients develop tender spots—parts of the body that just get sensitive and painful to touch. Often, these spots are caused or made worse by tight muscles pressing on nerve endings. Massage therapy can free those nerve endings and help diminish your tender points. This can make everything from putting on clothing to exercising more comfortable.

Less Fatigue

When your body is loose and comfortable, moving your body is not nearly as tiring. So, when you're getting massages, you are likely to feel more energetic throughout the day. This can help you be more productive at work, and it can allow you to do more things you love with friends and family members.

Fibro is a complex disease, and it often requires a multi-faceted treatment approach. Making massage a part of that approach can be really helpful for all of these reasons. If you're interested in looking into massage therapy yourself, contact a professional massage therapy center—like Northside Myofascial-Release Center—today.