Can Reflexology Help Fibromyalgia?

Recently one of my lovely clients was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  This diagnosis was both daunting and comforting at the same time - daunting because it’s a condition with so many diverse symptoms that we don’t seem to know much about, and comforting because I think it gave her some answers - a reason why she had been experiencing a myriad of diverse symptoms (many of which seemed unrelated) for so long.

 

We were both keen to find out about this little-understood condition, so I thought I’d do some research to see what I could find out.

 

So, what is Fibromyalgia (FM)?

It is a widespread pain and fatigue disorder that affects the muscles and joints and its cause is still largely unknown.  “Fibromyalgia” means pain in the fibrous tissues in the body.

Most people with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over.  Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked; sometimes they twitch and at other times they burn.  More women than men are afflicted and it affects people of all ages.

What are the most common symptoms?
Pain - The pain of fibromyalgia seems to have no boundaries.  Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning and may be worse in muscles that are used repetitively.  People with FM suffer chronic widespread pain, which can be described as burning, throbbing, shooting, or stabbing.  Painful areas often include the upper back, shoulders, neck, the low back, and other areas around the joints. 

Fatigue - This symptom can be mild in some patients and yet incapacitating in others.  The fatigue has been described as "brain fatigue" in which patients feel totally drained of energy.  Many patients say that they feel as though their arms and legs are tied to concrete blocks and they have difficulty concentrating.

Sleep disorder - Most FM sufferers have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly, which means that they can fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep is constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity.  As we all know, sleep deprivation causes its own set of problems and doesn’t exactly make things easier!

IBS - Constipation, diarrhoea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas and nausea are some of the symptoms frequently found in roughly 40% to 70% of fibromyalgia sufferers.

Chronic headaches - Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in about 50% of fibromyalgia sufferers.

Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome - This syndrome, sometimes referred to
as TMJD, causes tremendous face and head pain in one quarter of FMS patients.  As many as 90% of FM sufferers may have jaw and facial tenderness that could produce, at least intermittently, symptoms of TMJD. 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome - Sensitivities to odours, noise, bright lights, medications and various foods is common in roughly 50% of FM patients.

Other common symptoms include:

·       painful menstrual periods, 

·       chest pain, 

·       morning stiffness, 

·       cognitive or memory impairment, 

·       numbness and tingling sensations, 

·       muscle twitching, 

·       irritable bladder, 

·       the feeling of swollen extremities, 

·       skin sensitivities, 

·       dry eyes and mouth, 

·       frequent changes in eye prescription, 

·       dizziness,

·       impaired co-ordination

 

Most FM sufferers quickly learn there are certain things they do on a daily basis that seem to make their pain problem worse.  These actions usually involve the repetitive use of muscles or prolonged tensing of a muscle, such as the muscles of the upper back while looking at a computer screen.  It’s also important to pace yourself - some good advice would be to use a stopwatch that beeps every 20 minutes.  Whatever you are doing at that time should be stopped and a minute should be taken to do something else.

How can reflexology help with fibromyalgia? 

Based on pressure points in the hands and feet that are said to connect to the nervous system, Reflexologists pinpoint specific glands and organs to treat them.  With its chronic symptoms, overall pain factor, and relentless fatigue, fibromyalgia is one condition that can greatly benefit from Reflexology.  Here are a few benefits:

·       Improved Circulation - with improved circulation, the overall pain that many fibromyalgia sufferers may decrease in intensity.

·       Release of toxins from the system – toxins can sometimes be the cause of chronic inflammation in muscles, joints, and tissues.  Using reflexology to detox the system will naturally decrease inflammation.

·       Release of muscle tension - one of the main effects of reflexology is a release of muscle tension.  Using pressure points in muscles releases tension and subsequently eliminate pain that muscle tiredness that is often associated with fibromyalgia.

·       Energy flow and balance - reflexology is often used to stimulate energy and balance throughout the body.  One of the biggest complaints of fibromyalgia sufferers is fatigue and overwhelming tiredness.  Utilising reflexology can bring natural energy to the body and help re-establish balance to an otherwise unbalanced body system.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and debilitating disorder that can have long-term physical and mental repercussions.  However, incorporating reflexology into a treatment care plan may help to lower pain, improve circulation, detox, release tension, and increase energy.

If you’re suffering from Fibromyalgia and would like to try reflexology, please do get in touch, or find out more about what I do at www.barefoot-reflexology.co.uk.  I have also included some useful links for FM Support at www.barefoot-reflexology.co.uk/links/