Question:
I am interested in treating fibromyalgia clients with massage. What
types of massage are known to benefit a person; are there specific
trigger points involved? How often should a person in pain receive
massage?
Answer:
Each person needs different things. But basically, a myofascial
release is involved in massage therapy of FM and MPS. a person
considering going into massage therapy needs to find out what the
licensing requirments are in your state or country.
You should fully understand FM or MPS--as you appear to have lumped
"trigger points" in with "tender points". So, it appears that you may
need to do some of your own research on fibromyalgia and myofascial
pain syndrome--two different illnesses--but often found together.
It takes a lot of time to be able to find the lumps of FM and
MPS--I've seen 3 massage therapists. The first one had FM and really
knew what she was doing with me. The one I see on a regular
basis--really knows what she is doing--she finds all my lumps. The
3rd one was when I was out of town and saw my mother's massage
therapist. She had heard of fibro--but had no clue what she was doing
with me--because she did not have any experience treating someone with
fibro--she found NO lumps--and my body was full of them.
The frequency of massage is very individual. Most ppl cant afford
what we really need--which is to start off with 2 or 3 times a week
and once leveled off--once a week. I can only afford once a week--so
it will take me longer to find better health. What I do know--is
massage is like the icing on the cake for me--it has taken the worst
days and made them more tolerable and the good days are more often.
