Living with Fibromyalgia can be debilitating both physically and emotionally. Most of us are living in pain without a real clear solution to pain relief. Fibromyalgia is an overactive nervous system. The pain is often described as achy or flu-like. Imagine that achy feeling you experience when you hit your funny bone, except it is throughout the entire body. On top of that your muscles are tight and pulling. Your muscle fibers are throbbing. You experience headaches, low back pain, sciatica, repetitive motion type pain, IBS, fatigue, insomnia and fogginess.
And on top of it our loved ones either watch on helplessly or do not believe the pain is real.
Believe they are in pain. People with Fibromyalgia feel unsupported, misunderstood, lost and frustrated.
Develop an action plan of how you can support them day-to-day to help avoid flare-ups and another action plan of how to support them during a flare-up.
When they are in a flare-up immediately implement the action plan or ask what you can do to help them be more comfortable and do it. This is not the time to problem solve why they are in a flare-up. Asking them if they didn't exercise or if they were stressed is not supportive at this time and it is blaming. It is not their fault. They are in pain and want to be in less pain as soon as possible. If you had slammed your hand in a car door, most of us would want bandages and ice, not an assessment as to what we did to slam our hand in the car door.
Learn as much as possible on Fibromyalgia - read information on the internet, attend support groups, participate in online forums and Facebook groups on Fibromyalgia.
Make the lifestyle habits to decrease Fibromyalgia pain a lifestyle for the entire family. Fibromyalgia is managed through exercise, nutrition, stress management, massage, good sleeping habits and some medications.
Lisa Meloche is president of Bodywork Alternatives Massage Therapy and Founder of the FibroMasters program which includes coaching programs and self-help DVD's and books such as the Fibromyalgia Self-Massage and Stretch DVD.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Fibromyalgia Body and Pain Cycle
So many times I've heard the description of the pain of Fibromyalgia to be similar to the flu. I've always thought the pain was more similar to the dull pain radiating down your arm after you hit your funny bone (which is actually a nerve) and that pain makes sense since Fibromyalgia is an overactive nervous system.
On top of that pain, our muscles are full of trigger points and our fascia is tight providing an additional layer of pain. We also have IBS, severe menstrual cycles, thyroid issues, etc. Stress creates additional irritation to the nerves, which tightens muslces and fascia resulting in more pain. In addition, we research about what we can do to reduce our pain and try new things only to find that flares up our pain further. We start thinking that doesn't help either.
This what I call the Fibromyalgia Pain Cycle which is a cyclical effect of being in pain, the pain creates additional stress creating more pain, we start to make lifestyle changes which sometimes results in more pain.
I've found the best way to master our Fibromyalgia pain is to slowly incorporate all changes into my life. Including an exercise program including stretching, walking and weight training. In addition to make nutritional changes so we eat less sugar and white flour and more proteins. And most importantly to ensure I receive a good night's sleep, practice stress management, and to become more in tune with my body so I know what my body needs to master my Fibromyalgia pain through the management techniques that work for me.
On top of that pain, our muscles are full of trigger points and our fascia is tight providing an additional layer of pain. We also have IBS, severe menstrual cycles, thyroid issues, etc. Stress creates additional irritation to the nerves, which tightens muslces and fascia resulting in more pain. In addition, we research about what we can do to reduce our pain and try new things only to find that flares up our pain further. We start thinking that doesn't help either.
This what I call the Fibromyalgia Pain Cycle which is a cyclical effect of being in pain, the pain creates additional stress creating more pain, we start to make lifestyle changes which sometimes results in more pain.
I've found the best way to master our Fibromyalgia pain is to slowly incorporate all changes into my life. Including an exercise program including stretching, walking and weight training. In addition to make nutritional changes so we eat less sugar and white flour and more proteins. And most importantly to ensure I receive a good night's sleep, practice stress management, and to become more in tune with my body so I know what my body needs to master my Fibromyalgia pain through the management techniques that work for me.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Fibromyalgia Pain Relief - Self-Massage and Stretch DVD
In this video, a massage therapist with Fibromyalgia shares her self-massage and stretching techniques she uses to reduce her Fibromyalgia pain and flare-ups.
This video contains gentle self-massage and stretching techniques that can be used by anyone. Follow the entire video on a daily basis or incorporate the techniques you find most helpful into your normal Fibromyalgia pain reduction routines.
This video is great for anyone with Fibromyalgia who does not receive massage on a regular basis or can be used for those who use massage therapy and need in between sessions pain reduction.
Approximately ten million people suffer from tight muscles and tissue triggered by Fibromyalgia. Massage therapy is found to be helpful and now there is a video to help guide a self-massage routine for those with Fibromyalgia.
The video incorporates self-massage techniques and stretching to help reduce pain. The video can be followed in its entirety or the tips can be incorporated into daily life to help reduce pain. Developed by Lisa Meloche, massage therapist, President of Bodywork Alternatives Massage Therapy (www.bodyworkalternatives.com) and diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1999. “I found massage therapy to be one of the most critical components to manage my Fibromyalgia pain and also for my clients. Many clients will see me once a week to once a month for relief, but needed techniques that they could use at home in between sessions. I developed this video to help many people with Fibromyalgia reduce their pain.” www.bodyworkalternatives.com
This video contains gentle self-massage and stretching techniques that can be used by anyone. Follow the entire video on a daily basis or incorporate the techniques you find most helpful into your normal Fibromyalgia pain reduction routines.
This video is great for anyone with Fibromyalgia who does not receive massage on a regular basis or can be used for those who use massage therapy and need in between sessions pain reduction.
Approximately ten million people suffer from tight muscles and tissue triggered by Fibromyalgia. Massage therapy is found to be helpful and now there is a video to help guide a self-massage routine for those with Fibromyalgia.
The video incorporates self-massage techniques and stretching to help reduce pain. The video can be followed in its entirety or the tips can be incorporated into daily life to help reduce pain. Developed by Lisa Meloche, massage therapist, President of Bodywork Alternatives Massage Therapy (www.bodyworkalternatives.com) and diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1999. “I found massage therapy to be one of the most critical components to manage my Fibromyalgia pain and also for my clients. Many clients will see me once a week to once a month for relief, but needed techniques that they could use at home in between sessions. I developed this video to help many people with Fibromyalgia reduce their pain.” www.bodyworkalternatives.com
Sunday, June 21, 2009
West Boylston MA Fibromyalgia Massage Specialist
Jessica Weagle of Deep Relief Massage Therapy (http://fibromyalgiaspecialistsnetwork.com/WestBoylstonFibromyalgia.html)is the newest member of fibromyalgiaspecialistsnetwork.com.
Jessica has been a working massage therapist since 2001 and has given over 4,000 massages. She specializes in pain management for Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome. She offers a blend of Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point and MFR. She also has her own form of energy work to be used when needed. Some require a very light touch while others respond better to extreme deep work.
Fibromyalgiaspecialistsnetwork.com is a directory of alternative medicine professionals helping people with Fibromyalgia.
Jessica has been a working massage therapist since 2001 and has given over 4,000 massages. She specializes in pain management for Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome. She offers a blend of Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point and MFR. She also has her own form of energy work to be used when needed. Some require a very light touch while others respond better to extreme deep work.
Fibromyalgiaspecialistsnetwork.com is a directory of alternative medicine professionals helping people with Fibromyalgia.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
My Fibromyalgia Story
I've had Fibromyalgia my entire life. I had a variety of symptoms when I was child and teen. I had stomach aches, leg pains, and fatigue. In my early twenties, I was told I had carpal tunnel and needed surgery. I went for a second opinion and I was told it was tendonitis and not to have surgery. I also started having low back problems and headaches. It was in 1999 when I was twenty-seven that I was told I had Fibromyalgia.
I found this entertaining because in 1995, I attended massage therapy school because I had found it so helpful for my problems I wanted to learn more about it and have a business offering massage therapy. During school, I was taught Fibromyalgia was a bucket they put people in they didn't know what was wrong with them and not to touch someone with Fibromyalgia. So I was in denial. I thought I like deep tissue massage and the doctor just threw a diagnose at me because she didn't know what was wrong with me.
But after a few weeks, I really started to research it and started to see it was a pretty good diagnosis. Absolutely Fibromyalgia has layers of issues that need to be worked through and it is best managed through lifestyle changes, but it is a real thing. After a few years of medications and finding nothing to be as helpful as massage and exercise, I decided to start working specifically with Fibromyalgia clients. I launched Bodywork Alternatives Massage Therapy (bodyworkalternatives.com) in 2003 offering massage therapy to Fibromyalgia clients. I found a variety of clients would visit our office whether they had Fibromyalgia or not because they were seeking relief from headaches, backpain, sciatica, etc. and we were recognized as therapists that could reduce these problems.
As part of my journey I've been asked from therapists how to work with Fibromyalgia clients. I've put together an eBook on that topic and hope you find it helpful. I've also been asked for referrals for loved ones throughout the country looking for someone who can help them and that's why I've started the fibromyalgiaspecialistsnetwork.com site. This is a place for professionals offering acupuncture, massage therapy, fitness support, chiropractic care, energy work, etc. and experienced with clients with Fibromyalgia to share their experience and for those with Fibromyalgia looking for help to find these services.
I found this entertaining because in 1995, I attended massage therapy school because I had found it so helpful for my problems I wanted to learn more about it and have a business offering massage therapy. During school, I was taught Fibromyalgia was a bucket they put people in they didn't know what was wrong with them and not to touch someone with Fibromyalgia. So I was in denial. I thought I like deep tissue massage and the doctor just threw a diagnose at me because she didn't know what was wrong with me.
But after a few weeks, I really started to research it and started to see it was a pretty good diagnosis. Absolutely Fibromyalgia has layers of issues that need to be worked through and it is best managed through lifestyle changes, but it is a real thing. After a few years of medications and finding nothing to be as helpful as massage and exercise, I decided to start working specifically with Fibromyalgia clients. I launched Bodywork Alternatives Massage Therapy (bodyworkalternatives.com) in 2003 offering massage therapy to Fibromyalgia clients. I found a variety of clients would visit our office whether they had Fibromyalgia or not because they were seeking relief from headaches, backpain, sciatica, etc. and we were recognized as therapists that could reduce these problems.
As part of my journey I've been asked from therapists how to work with Fibromyalgia clients. I've put together an eBook on that topic and hope you find it helpful. I've also been asked for referrals for loved ones throughout the country looking for someone who can help them and that's why I've started the fibromyalgiaspecialistsnetwork.com site. This is a place for professionals offering acupuncture, massage therapy, fitness support, chiropractic care, energy work, etc. and experienced with clients with Fibromyalgia to share their experience and for those with Fibromyalgia looking for help to find these services.
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