Fibromyalgia Support Group

I have found that weekly massages help me tremendously as long as you don't get one that is a little too "ambitious". Of course, I can't always afford to go all the time. I found a good chiropractor that includes the massage in the visit so I just pay my co-pay, get adjusted, physical therapy and a massage!! It's wonderful. One time I did get a BAD massage. He actually told me that most of his fibromyalgia patients liked DEEP TISSUE!!! I can hardly stand any touch, let alone DEEP TISSUE!!! I wound up hurting really bad for about a week before the pain got a little better. Of course, I am still trying different medications and things but this does seem to keep me loose.

I haven't gone to the chiropractor or a massage yet. I am still debating. I do all of my own "popping". I know isn't that horrible. I pop my hips back in as needed, which is often. I stand in a doorway with my hands on the frame. Cross one leg in front of my body and put my knee on the frame. Then twist my body in the opposite direction. it works everytime!! My doc said that's horrible and I shouldn't be doing that at my age. (25) But at least I don't have to pay the chiro.

Massage I am scared to do. I have just recently been having the can't be touched pain. EEEccckkk just the thought of someone rubbing me to hard hurts. OOOhhh great now I made my shoulders start to cramp up. Darn it.

It really is wonderful as long as you tell them what you want. If they are rubbing too hard tell them that hurts. I had to learn the hard way. I too pop my lower back and neck all the time but I can't seem to get between my shoulder blades and sometimes my neck is just TOOOO stiff.

I can't stand anyone to touch my shoulders either, so I couldn't go to have a massage either. No WAYYYYYY!!!

Ok as someone that is a trained massage therapist (not able to practice full time at the moment because of pain) he is partly right about most of the fibro patients preferring deep tissue. After a while. Most of the time you start with a soft sweedish on them with a little lymphatic drainage massage mixed in. Then as the lymph is dispersed they seem to want deeper to work on loosening and healing the muscles. Like shorty said it is important that you talk to them and let them know what feels good and what doesn't. A good Therapist will react to your input immediately. If not he is not the therapist for you and in today's society you can look for another one. There are even more than one in most small towns in the midwest now. So there should be more than one choice.

As for popping and the chiropractor, there are different types of energy work that are reputed to help realign your bones. Reiki is one of the most known. Considering you said hip cranial sacral work may also be helpful. On those the best thing to remember is to keep an open mind.

arretta what would you reccomend for someone who can't stand to be touched by strangers? My son rubs my shoulders and neck for me and it feels really good I would like to be able to have a massage but just the thought of someone I don't know touching my skin freaks me out!!! .

I have done massages many times and I must say they are wonderful for me!!! I only wish that I could afford to go every week. Insurance doesn't cover it and with only one income in the family, it isn't something we can put in the budget for now.

I too used to be somewhat skiddish of having a stranger touch me but then a few friends became massage therapists. I was especially skiddish of men, but my hubby introduced me to someone he knows that is a godsend! He is soooo professional and has these huge hands that are strong enough to give me the pressure that I need. I usually warn him that I am going to need all he can give so he knows not to book anyone after me so he can get a break.

the good thing is that usually the massage helps me enough with the pain that I can then be more giving to my DH.

If I really need a massage and can't afford it, I have my 9y/o daughter work on me. She is a strong little bugger but has learned to do just the right kind of pressure that relieves mommy's pain.

I absolutely believe in weekly massages, and it has to be deep tissue for me. I have not been able to go weekly in quite some time. In fact, I'm down to about once a month now, and believe me, my body knows it.

When I was getting weekly massages, my muscles loosened up, I could fully turn my head both directions, the tension was released from my shoulders, and my posture was better. I swear by it.

faieriemama I would suggest you look around. start with whether you are more comfortable with a male or female. Once you figure that out look in your area. Then go into the office and sit down and have a conversation with the massage therapist. Explain, and they should listen to you and be able to talk to you this way you have an idea who you are dealing with. Any good massage therapist should have you fill out info about yourself so that they know what they are dealing with. After that they should read and reveiw with you so you are totally comfortable with what they are going to do. If it is just a skin on skin phobia you should try chair massages where you are supposed to keep your clothes on (t-shirts are the best for these, sweaters are hard to feel through)

Arretta, what can you tell me about hot stone therapy?