Research Shows the Benefits of Massage for Fibromyalgia

Day-to-day living is a challenge if you suffer from chronic pain. But chronic pain is familiar to many people here in the U.S. and across the globe. One of the most common chronic pain conditions is fibromyalgia. The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) estimates some 10 million people in the U.S. and 3-6 percent of the world’s population suffer from the condition. It is most prevalent in women but also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups. [1]

Fibromyalgia symptoms include widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue as well as sleep, memory and mood issues. There may be a trigger event that brings on the condition, such as physical trauma or psychological stress; but that is not always the case. Some experts attribute fibromyalgia to an abnormal functioning of the central nervous system. Hormone and neurochemical imbalances are common findings during the medical evaluation of someone with fibromyalgia.[2]  Many who have the condition ache all over.

Is there a cure?

Because the main fibromyalgia symptoms – pain and fatigue – are like other conditions, diagnosis may involve ruling out other conditions. There are no specific laboratory or imaging tests. Treatment focuses on relieving fibromyalgia symptoms, including cognitive behavioral therapies, which aim to change the way one thinks about pain; and medications such as antidepressants, anti-seizure and analgesics. Since fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation of the tissue, anti-inflammatory pain medications usually are not effective, but they may help with other painful conditions that a person with fibromyalgia may have. [3]

In addition to medications, some turn to complementary and integrative medical therapies including acupuncture, acupressure, relaxation exercises, aromatherapy, light aerobics and massage for relief from fibromyalgia symptoms, among other therapies.

Role of massage for fibromyalgia symptoms

According to Pain, the journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain, 50.2 million adults in the U.S. reported having chronic pain. The most common pain management strategies cited were physical therapy and massage. Among people with fibromyalgia, 75 percent seek massage therapy. [4] Massage can reduce pain and improve overall well-being.

Research looks at massage for fibromyalgia

Among research studies supporting the effectiveness of massage for fibromyalgia are the following:

Myofascial release on fibromyalgia patients

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 2011 to find whether massage-myofascial release therapy can improve pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. The study involved 74 fibromyalgia patients who were randomly assigned to experimental (massage-myofascial release therapy) and placebo (sham treatment with disconnected magnotherapy device) groups. The trial lasted 20 weeks.

Researchers determined participants’ pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life at baseline, after the last treatment session, and at 1 month and 6 months. They found that after treatment and at 1 month, anxiety levels, quality of sleep, pain, and quality of life were improved in the experimental group over the placebo group. However, 6 months after intervention, the only significant differences were in the quality of sleep index. Research therefore showed that myofascial techniques improved pain and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.[5]

Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

In 2014, researchers searched databases up to June 2013 to find relevant studies on the evidence of massage for fibromyalgia patients. They searched for measurements on pain, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance.  Nine randomized controlled trials involving 404 patients met the criteria. Their analysis found that massage therapy over 5 weeks significantly improved pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia, but not on sleep disturbance. They concluded that massage therapy should be one of the viable complementary and alternative treatments for fibromyalgia. They also recommended since there was no follow-up, large-scale randomized trials with long-term follow-up are called for. [6]

Earlier studies at the Touch Research Institute, Miami School of Medicine, showed that fibromyalgia responds well to massage. Rheumatologists who evaluated the study participants found that only those who received massage had decreased pain, stiffness and improvements in sleep quality.[7]

Treating fibromyalgia clients

About the right massage for fibromyalgia, there is not one specific technique that is more effective, however, research has shown myofascial release has been somewhat helpful. Using the right amount of pressure will be necessary, so communicate with clients before and during the session to adjust, as necessary. [8]

Since symptoms may be associated with other conditions, you will want to confirm a client is suffering from fibromyalgia and not another condition.