While fibromyalgia is not completely understood, research into the syndrome is continuing.

There have been several studies examining the effects of massage therapy on patients who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Overall the studies suggest that massage therapy may:

• improve sleep patterns
• lower substance P levels
• decrease pain
• decrease the depressed mood state
• decrease fatigue
• decrease cortisol levels

While the research is not conclusive, it suggests that massage therapy may be an important tool for patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

Sources:

Sunshine, W., Field, T., Schanberg, S., Quintino, O., Fierro, K., Kuhn, C., Burman, I., and Schanberg, S. (1996). Fibromyalgia benefits from massage therapy and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 2, 18-22.

Field, T., Diego, M., Cullen, C., Hernandez-Reif, M., Sunshine, W., & Douglas, S. (2002). Fibromyalgia pain and substance P decrease and sleep improves after massage therapy. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 8, 72-76.

Field, T., Delage, J. and Hernandez-Reif, M. (2003). Movement and massage therapy reduces fibromyalgia pain. Journal of Bodywork annd Movement Therapies,7, 49-52.

Tagged as: fibromyalgia, Massage Therapy, mood, sleep, stress