Question:
I am a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (LMBT) and
would like to get some feedback and guidance from this group about
massage and FM. A chiropractor has recently referred a patient of his
to come see me for relief of chronic pain- she has Polymyalgia
Rheumatica, which I understand to be a more extreme case of
Fibromyalgia. I have worked on her twice and she thoroughly enjoys the
massage- she told a friend that she referred to me that the massage
"was better than sex!" High praise, indeed.
My questions to the group:
1. do you get massage specifically for relief of FM symptoms?
2. what do you look for in a massage session?
3. what do you ask your Massage Therapist to do for you?
I believe I am helping this woman, but I want to really do something
for her. I really believe a lot of her FM flare ups are stress induced
and exacerbate her admitted and untreated bouts of depression. I would
really appreciate some honest input from the group.
Answer:
I'm sure you'll get plenty of replies, and mine isn't specific to
massage techniques, but I wanted to let you know that FM and PMR are two
very different things. PMR is not more severe FM.
If a person is on medicine for PMR it's for inflamed muscles and yes,
the massage often feels good. The muscle pain comes from inflammation and is
often readily cured thru two years of low dose steroid. Completely
cured...so if you're treating a person toward the end of therapy, they're
improved enuff to enjoy it.
There isn't a cure for FM, and without knowing about it, the pain can be
easily made worse thru the wrong kinds of massage. FM is nothing like PMR. I
know, because I am a long time FM'er who was misdiagnosed with PMR and made
lots worse.
Figured I'd pop in and answer because I'm unique around here with the PMR
misdiagnosis.
