Complementary therapy for Fibromyalgia
You might have heard from fibromyalgia, or even know someone who suffers from it? This chronic condition causes widespread pain around the body but has no clear cause, which makes diagnosis and treatment harder too.
Pain is not the only symptom. Sufferers often report chronic fatigue, dizziness, headaches, trouble sleeping and irritable bowels, among other things. Fibromyalgia appears to affect more women than men, usually between the ages of 30 and 50. However, that’s a generalisation – in fact, fibromyalgia can affect anyone of any age.
With such a wide range of symptoms and no clear cause, it’s not surprising that treatment is difficult. Generally patients are given a variety of medications and therapy, and try to live a healthier lifestyle with increased exercise.
How reflexology can help fibromyalgia symptoms
Although therapy cannot cure fibromyalgia, it can be used to treat the symptoms. According to Fibromyalgia Action UK, one good technique is relaxation. Relaxing the body and mind helps release tension, thereby reducing pains around the body.
As fibromyalgia sufferers feel pain in different ways, a therapy that suits one person might not be right for another.
Reflexology is one treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating fibromyalgia. It’s non-invasive, and uses light pressure on the foot or hand. If you suffer chronic pain in your muscles and joints, reflexology can help your body to relax and release tension from those muscles without having to physically touch them.
The release of muscle ache is just one benefit of reflexology. The pancreas is responsible for regulating blood-sugar levels in the body. By applying pressure to the corresponding point, you can stimulate the pancreas and improve low blood-sugar levels – a common cause of fatigue in the body.
As your body relaxes, tension is also released from your digestive organs. In addition your circulation improves, bringing toxins from your body to your digestive system to be removed. This will help relieve symptoms of irritable bowels and bring some balance back into your body.
How massage can help fibromyalgia symptoms
Another therapy that is used to treat fibromyalgia is massage. A gentle massage can be extremely relaxing, helping you to destress and calm your mind, while a more invigorating treatment can loosen tight muscles and relieve pain from exercise. There are many different forms of massage, making it easier to find one that suits your symptoms.
Indian Head Massage is a lovely way to relax the body and release tension from muscles, without physically touching any pain points in the joints. The treatment is particularly effective for headaches, a common symptom of fibromyalgia. It also improves circulation – again helping the body to remove blockages and any build up of toxins.
For fibromyalgia sufferers who really don’t like to be touched, Reiki can be a very effective treatment. It’s great for inducing relaxation and relieving pain. By improving the energy flows, Reiki helps to stimulate the body’s own ability to naturally heal itself. The calming sense of deep relaxation will also help encourage a better night’s sleep.
Regular treatments can be more effective
Of course, finding the right treatment for your symptoms is only the first step. Having regular sessions will create more long-lasting effects, and with time may lead to a lessening of the pain caused by this debilitating condition.
If you suffer from fibromyalgia, or know someone who does, I offer a number of gentle, non-invasive treatments that will help to relieve your symptoms. Get in touch to discuss which one will best suit you.