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Howard
Northrup, LMT
is listed with the
National
Fibromyalgia Association as a Massage Therapy resource
for people suffering from fibromyalgia
in the Melbourne and Titusville areas
Alpha-Stim
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What is
fibromyalgia?
According
to the National Fibromyalgia
Association, fibromyalgia,
which is abbreviated FM, is "a chronic pain disorder
characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness,
soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The
most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic
girdle, and hands, but any body part can be affected. Fibromyalgia
patients experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that wax
and wane over time."
How can I find out if I
have fibromyalgia?
Two
tests that your physician will use to determine whether or not you have
fibromyalgia are: 1)
by applying pressure to each of the eighteen common "tender
points" (see drawing at left) and finding tenderness or pain in
eleven or more of them, and 2)
your reporting of pain in all four quadrants of the body (left side,
right side, above the waist, and below the waist) for a minimum
duration of three months.
Can massage
therapy help fibromyalgia?
Since
massage therapy can reduce
levels of stress and pain in the body, it is a very effective therapy
for people with fibromyalgia. According to a study
at the University of Miami, massage therapy (as compared
to transcutaneous electrical stimulation or "TENS") improved
sleep patterns and decreased pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression and
cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
My own patients with fibromyalgia have told me that they have gotten the
most relief from regular massage therapy treatments.
Can the
Alpha-Stim help fibromyalgia?
Because
the
Alpha-Stim
has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of pain, anxiety, and insomnia, it
is an excellent treatment for fibromyalgia sufferers!
Using the Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) ear clips, it delivers a painless
electrical microcurrent
to the brain, which can normalize the brain waves that play a part in pain,
anxiety, and relaxation.
An
Alpha-Stim treatment can be given either with or without massage
therapy. As an add-on to a massage therapy session, it helps the patient
to get to an even deeper relaxation than during a massage therapy
session alone.
Is massage
performed differently for someone with fibromyalgia than for everyone
else?
Fibromyalgia affects people in
different ways. I have seen a number of fibromyalgia patients who have
come to me for massage and they can't tolerate much pressure, but I've also
seen a number of patients who need a more firm pressure. In
addition to that, fibromyalgia sufferers know that they may have a good
day followed by a bad day. Depending upon how their fibromyalgia is
affecting them on the day of their massage, the massage they want can
vary from one session to the next. Because of this, it's very important
to find a massage therapist who: 1) can
vary his or her pressure to
accommodate your needs, and 2)
documents the details of each session to give you the best results
possible at every session.
I've heard so many stories from my fibromyalgia patients who've
told me about massage therapists they've been to who used an
inappropriate pressure, then didn't document what they found out that
this patient needed, so the therapist would make the same mistakes
repeatedly.
How
can I find a massage therapist who understands fibromyalgia?
The
National Fibromyalgia
Association has compiled a
directory of "fibro-friendly" health care providers whose
names were submitted by NFA members. Based on my own work with many
fibromyalgia patients, one of my regular patients has submitted my name to the NFA as a
massage therapy resource for the Melbourne and Titusville areas. If you
live outside this area, you can contact the NFA at
For
additional information and many helpful articles
on Fibromyalgia reviewed by board-certified physicians,
go to the VeryWell
website.
Contact
Howard with your questions about
massage for fibromyalgia at HNorthrup@yahoo.com |
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