Rejuvenations Massage

Archive for the ‘chronic pain’ Category

It seems we see more and more clients who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia…and most of them are women. Perhaps that’s why National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day falls on May 12—right next to Mother’s Day.

So what is this major health concern affecting women? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes exhaustion, sleep disturbances, and pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. According to an article for the Society for Women’s Health Research*, fibromyalgia may affect as much as 3-6 percent of the U.S. population, and it is more common in women than in men.

Aside from predominantly affecting women, the article states several risk factors for fibromyalgia:

Because the causes of fibromyalgia are not clear and no cure exists, the goal of treating fibromyalgia is to control symptoms and minimize discomfort.

According to several research studies at The University Of Miami School of Medicine, Touch Research Institute, massage therapy provides the following benefits to fibromyalgia patients: increased serotonin level, decreased circulating stress hormones, decreased levels of substance P (basically a pain messenger), decreased tender point pain, improved sleep patterns, and improved overall sense of well-being. In short, massage therapy, in conjunction with the treatment plan prescribed by a physician, can help patients manage the pain.

(*source: Jennifer Wider, M.D., Fibromyalgia Affects Women More Often than Men, Society for Women’s Health Research, April 24, 2008)

For more information:

National Fibromyalgia Research Association
Web site: http://www.nfra.net/

National Fibromyalgia Association
Web site: http://www.fmaware.org/

Yesterday was beautiful here in the DC area—it was the kind of day that makes you want to get outside and do something physical. My wife and I took an hour walk in the morning. Then she went for long a swim and topped off the day with a trip to the driving range. She was so happy being outside. But this morning, she was feeling it…her shoulders were stiff and her muscles ached.

Every year, 3.5 to 4 million people end up in the emergency room due to sports-induced injury (source: American Sports Data). The same study showed that less serious sports injuries (those like my wife is experiencing today that hurt, but don’t send you to the ER) were five times as frequent—that’s 20 million people a year who hurt themselves relaxing and having fun.

So be careful out there. It’s easy to overdo it, especially when you’re having fun. Be sure to stretch your muscles so you don’t strain them. And if you do overdo it and the ibuprofen and ice don’t take care of the problem, treat yourself to a therapeutic massage…your body will thank you!