Chronic pain and Fibromyalgia are you affected? and what can help you.

Fibromyalgia is a complex multisystem condition which creates chronic pain, in muscles,ligaments and surrounding organs. Despite the pain, Fibromylgia Australia, states that the pain occurs whilst there is not obvious tissue damage. However, this is little resolve for those that try and manage this condition which causes disability due to the pain and loss of movement.

Women by far out way men with this condition and is often quite hard to diagnose and is often a mystery condition for many years. Yep, I hear your question why? Well, the condition may have subtle onset over many years, with many people suffering from individual symptoms.

Therefore, GP's have some assessments that they can perform to help diagnose this condition. So speak to your Doctor if you suspect that you have fibromyalgia, and they can perform the assessment which is available on Fibromyalgia website: https://fibromyalgiaaustralia.org.au/

Care of the person with Fibromyalgia should include a multi-team care plan, which helps relieving symptoms. Unfortunately, right now Fibromyalgia has no cure, but it can be manageable with the right team, which can include Massage therapy.

This brings me to a client that came to see me the other day with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and requesting deep and hard massage. I understood why, her muscles were hurting and that is what she felt would help. However, as a massage therapist and Registered Nurse, part of my role is education. I asked her what she knew about Fibromyalgia, and I wasn't shocked to hear her say "really nothing just that I have chronic pain". Therefore, it was my moment to spend a few minutes explaining what best practice for massage and Fibromyalgia, which is more like a relaxation massage, which can help relieve the discomfort she felt. I also referred her back to her GP for further treatments available to her and gave her the Fibromyalgia website to help with resources and education if she so wished.

I am hoping this helps you or your loved one. It is important to surround oneself with a team to help one manage this condition. If it is your thing find yourself a massage therapist that understands Fibromyalgia.