Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Massage Therapy

[Richard P. van Why]

Does anyone have any experiences they can relate to me for good or ill
concerning massage therapy for fibromyalgia syndrome.

I have had FM for thirteen years and teach a course on FM and massage
therapy.

I'd like to update my material with new information from colleagues with
FM.

Thanks

Rich

[Joan @ home]

Hi, are you also on the cfs NG?

One of the best places for massage info is Devin's
site because a large number of FMers have MPS as
well and they "feed" off each other. When I had
RMTs skilled in TrP release, it worked very well
for me except that our ins. only pays for about 10
visits in a year which isn't nealry enough and
being on a disability pension, I have to rely on
what the insurance will pay.

Here is Devin's site

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/

Sorry if this is old news to you but I can tell
you it works for me.

--
Joan @ home where it is warm

... My mind wanders, but my body is too tired to
follow
_________________________________________________________

[Lady LurkAlot]

Hi Rich,

I have had Thai massage in combination with Acupuncture and had great results.
The only problem with that is the cost.

I have to say that during a flare, the massage hurt alot, alot of tenderness,
but felt much better for having it. I had 3 acupuncture treatments and 3
massages in the course of a week and felt like a new woman. I would recommend
this to anyone who can AFFORD it. The effects of these treatments kept me pain
free and out of flares for 8 months. I would not hesitate to do this again if
the money were available or I could get the doc to prescribe it.

Just my 2 cents.

Lady LurkAlot
Royal Lurker Of W.H.I.N.E.

Back to Lurking!

[Maureen in Mukilteo]

"Richard P. van Why" <bodywork...@erols.com> wrote

<Does anyone have any experiences they can relate to me for good or ill
concerning massage therapy for fibromyalgia syndrome.>

Done correctly (read gently) its heaven. Once though, I ran into woman who
did not know the difference between tender points and trigger points. You
cannot "massage out" tender points - all you get is a very sore tender point
and one very cranky patient.

< I'd like to update my material with new information from colleagues with
FM.>

Michael Baugh does seminars on massage for fibromites. Don't know if he
would qualify as a colleague. You might want to ask him.

--

_ _
\|/(_)_(_)\|/
@~ (o.o) ~@
/___( * )___\ Maureen in Mukilteo
/ `U' \ ke...@ix.netcom.com
( . )
`>---<' No information in this post should be taken as a
_\ /_ recommendation. I am a fibromyalgia patient not a doctor.
If you have questions about the relationship between
nutritional supplements & your health, seek the advice of a
qualified physician.

"Richard P. van Why" <bodywork...@erols.com> wrote

[Dianne Graham]

I can tell you that for me it is more of a case not being able to afford
NOT to get a massage every week. It is absolutely the only thing that keeps
me going every week.

A massage therapy that understands Fibro is a must !"

HTH
Dianne

"Richard P. van Why" <bodywork...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3A965F...@erols.com...

[Stinky's caretaker]

well I for one don't survive massages. I have tried dozens of different
massage therapist from the kind that hang out in the mall to the ones at
the chiros office or at PT. I am alway in worse shape, not only pain
wise but in range of motion. once within 15 minutes of the massage I was
totally unable to move my neck to the left for several days. Once after
a massage I was unable to eat solid food for 3 days. I always ask if
they know about fibro and MPS and trigger points and they always assure
me they do. I'm to the point where you would have to bribe with hundreds
of dollars to have another massage.

** Andrea, Stinky's caretaker**
"Brigthen the corner where you are and you will light the world" Dean
Koontz

[Andy Johnstone]

I've had both good and ill experiences with massage.

Most massage is far too painfull for me, and will often give me a week
of intense pain and flare of symptoms. (By the way, I drink lots of
water as a general rule, and more if being massaged, so this is not due
to the "release of toxins" but FM response to stimulation)

Tennis ball accupressure of MPS spots has been very beneficial.

I've been to one practitioner who specialises in fibromites and performs
a Myofascial Release massage. The massage itself was not painfull
(whooo hoooo!) and I had some symptom relief for the following weeks.

Andy.

"Richard P. van Why" wrote:
>

[clueless]

Hi Rich,

I have fibro and MPS. I can't tolerate massage. But do
love counterstrain. And I have heard people recommend
Myofascial Release. I have had good/bad experience with it.

I wish I could help you more, but I have a cold and am
unable to think clearly. I am a non practicing massage
therapist.

Clueless

"Richard P. van Why" <bodywork...@erols.com> wrote in
message news:3A965F...@erols.com...

[Stinky's caretaker]

>>"But do love counterstrain. "

what's that?

[Deirdre]

Wasn't Charles Atlas' system based on isometrics?

I remember I used a system that could have been described as
"counterstrain" in which I pushed or pressed against desk parts, the
floor, my rollers (foot massager) and a tennis ball I tethered to one of
the legs of my desk so it wouldn't roll out and kill someone... I was a
very busy counterstrainer. I pulled my head down deeply to stretch the
horribly painful trapezius muscles. Stretching those muscles did for my
upper cervical vertebrae. Of course a severe whiplash accident 25 years
before didn't help any either.

Love from Mrs Magoo ;-)

--
Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt;
Nothing's so hard but search will find it out.
"Seek and Find"
- Robert Herrick, 1591-1674

[DeborahBrentDML]

>Does anyone have any experiences they can relate to me for good or ill
concerning massage therapy for fibromyalgia syndrome.>

I have a massage therapist who is trined in Myofacial Massage (that is probably
spelled wrong).

She is great. I go at least once a month. She has a menthol lotion she uses
and it is wonderful for soothing my muscles. It also opens up your sinuses.

The last time I went I had some real hot spots, but even they felt better after
the massage. They still hurt, but it was somewhat better.

DML

[Rene' Lynette]

"clueless" <cluel...@email.msn.com> wrote in message
news:uju2qrhnAHA.291@cpmsnbbsa09...

> Hi Rich,
>
> I have fibro and MPS. I can't tolerate massage. But do
> love counterstrain. And I have heard people recommend

> Myofascial Release. I have had good/bad experience with it. (Snip....)

Rich, I have both FMS and MPS, too. I can't tolerate collars around my
neck, tight elastic on my waist, or heavy clothes (sweaters, coats, etc.).
When someone puts their hand on my shoulders, it feels like torture.

I can't take any type of massage anywhere. There are many times I can't
stand the shower water hitting my body.

Massage therapy sounds like heaven. I wish I could get it.

-- Rene'
Royal Mess

[Nanny]

My personal experience: I love my muscular massages. I go twice a month
and have worked it in our budget. They do not take away the pain, but they
do have definite benefits on my range of motion (particularly in my neck).
It is just something I do for myself. Nanny
"DeborahBrentDML" <deborah...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010224215009...@ng-cn1.aol.com...

[HAMPTON300]

>>Does anyone have any experiences they can relate to me for good or ill
>concerning massage therapy for

I went to a massage therapist who specializes in fms. The first time was
relaxing but didn't "do" anything for me. 6 mos later, I went back. I was in
agony from the pain for 3-4 days. I didn't go regularly, so that may have been
the problem, but I wouldn't go back, especially since my insurance doesn't
cover any of the cost.

Debbie
HAMPT...@aol.com
Life is a test. It is only a test. If this were real life, we would have been
given better instructions.

[Bill Caldwell]

I found massage to be very helpful. I first went to an orthopedic doc who
ordered PT, which insurance pays for. The therapist did hand massage of
the neck and shoulders which felt wonderful, also used that electrical
current
device to stimulate blood flow. Also had me do exercises in the gym.
Over a period of about two months I was a lot better, more range of motion
in neck and arms. Then I continued by going into the "aftercare" program
for $20 per month, and have used the gym for a year now. The exercise
helps a lot.

Bill in Indiana

[lhamo55]

Vak,

I get mine (been through a couple) from the VA also, but am being tempted to
get one out of pocket that is rechargeable and has a timer. I tend to run
them too long at a time which then means they stop having any effect for a
few months. I think numerous short (half hour) sessions with varied pulses
work better. Problem is I get used to the impusles and forget the unit is
on after a few minutes. It really helps with pain from spasms.

What kind of paper tape are you using? The VA supplies your disposable
electrodes, right?

--
pashminahugs from
your duchess of the himalayas,
renee
VAK (novice of the 3rd person) wrote in message
<3A9BF166...@interbulletin.com>...
>"lhamo55" <lha...@mos.com.np> wrote in article
><97gdgu$on5r3$1...@ID-75380.news.dfncis.de> :
>>Is asking your doctor to write you a prescription for your own TENs unit
an
>>option?
>>
>VAK thinks it should be since he was issued one by the VA hospital here in
Omaha which is used for cervical C-2 thru C-7. thoracic T-2 and lumbar L-5
spinal problems. It works well when vak has to drive a long distance or
take a plane trip. The disposable patches are expensive, but vak has the
kind that are re-usable with just paper tape. He uses the disposable for
convenience but again that stuff from the VA hospital is free for vak.
>
>VAK(novice of the 3rd person)
>
>_______________________________________________
>Submitted via WebNewsReader of http://www.interbulletin.com
>

[Stinky's caretaker]

it's not so much getting a prescription but saving the money to buy it.
I have a small unit that I use that is very similiar but it doesn't
cover a wide enough area at a time. Of course now that I have enough
magnets to cover almost every part of the body, maybe I can save up
money to get a bigger unit.

[VAK]

"lhamo55" <lha...@mos.com.np> wrote in article

<97hmf9$p6en7$1...@ID-75380.news.dfncis.de> :

>Vak,
>
>I get mine (been through a couple) from the VA also, but am being tempted to
>get one out of pocket that is rechargeable and has a timer. I tend to run
>them too long at a time which then means they stop having any effect for a
>few months. I think numerous short (half hour) sessions with varied pulses
>work better. Problem is I get used to the impusles and forget the unit is
>on after a few minutes. It really helps with pain from spasms.
>
>What kind of paper tape are you using? The VA supplies your disposable
>electrodes, right?
>
>--

The VA gave VAK one that can be set in a burst or continous or modulated mode. They also gave VAK a re-chargable battery and re-charging unit. The paper tape comes from the physical therapy department. The disposable patches(electrodes) are just picked up by VAK at the desk where the physical therapy department has the office staff. There is no co-pay because it was prescribed by the pain management clinic. The unit also has variable settings that determine the width length of time and the strength of the pulse. VAK does have to pay a $2 co-pay for each 30 day prescription.

[lhamo55]

What brand is your unit? I'll ask when I get back stateside if they can
order one like yours. I have 100% service related disability rating so I
have no co-payments on anything & also have full dental coverage :-) I've
followed my favorite dentist to several Chicago area VAMCs (my parents live
in Chicago)because he understands TMJD and FMS. The ones in San Francisco
aren't very understanding so I don't bother with them anymore.

--
pashminahugs from
your duchess of the himalayas,
renee

VAK (novice of the 3rd person) wrote in message

<3A9CA0E6...@interbulletin.com>...

>"lhamo55" <lha...@mos.com.np> wrote in article
><97hmf9$p6en7$1...@ID-75380.news.dfncis.de> :
>>Vak,