I am a complementary energy healing therapist. Since 2005 I have studied various healing modalities and have used my knowledge to devise specific treatments using various techniques from my training to give the best treatment to myclients.
My interest in this specific treatment is due to my close family relation having been diagnosed in 2007 with fibromyalgia.
Itec
Massage/Sports Massage, Itec Reflexology advanced, Master Reiki practitioner, Indian Head
Massage, Hopi Ear Candle, Hot Stones, Master Herbalist.
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How They
Diagnose Fibromyalgia
Some of the
Medication you may be on
Your
Individual Fibromyalgia Story
What is
functional medicine
Fibromyalgia
Natural Treatments Address the Root
Functional Medicine
– What to do and what to get checked
Fibromyalgia can be a diagnostic challenge.
Fibromyalgia is medically classified as a “syndrome”, meaning it is a group of
traits, signs and symptoms that occur simultaneously. Fibromyalgia symptoms
vary widely from person to person, and the following is a list of possible
symptoms.
Widespread Pain
Headaches
Painful” Tender Points”
Muscle Soreness
General Fatigue
Limited Tolerance to Activity
Trouble Concentrating
Anxiety
Disrupted Sleep
Digestive Problems
Can Massage Help?
A recent consumer survey, commissioned by The
American Message Therapy Association (AMTA), found that 91 percent of survey
respondents agreed that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and nearly
half of those polled (47 percent) have had a massage specifically for the
purpose of relieving pain. Massage can directly reduce muscle soreness, by
cleansing muscle tissues of metabolic wastes. The application of heat help calm
pain for most fibromyalgia sufferers. I tend to use an infra red sauna blanket within
my treatments.
Testimonials from Massage Clients
“Before weekly massages, my muscles never knew what
relaxed was. I still involuntarily tighten my muscles, but I have less pain.
Now that I know what relaxed muscles feel like, I can monitor my muscles to
un-tighten them.”
“The change in my body after seven months of
routine massage was tremendous. My headaches are less frequent, and I take less
medication than I have in years.”
“I utilize massage as a preventative therapy. By
seeking help with painful areas before they become unmanageable, I’m able to
keep on top of the most painful flares. I also find that when I am
over-stressed, massage is a very helpful leveler.”
Having Fibromyalgia and dealing with the pain and limitations also creates a lot of mental stress. Massage can provide great relief from stress and offer a chance for someone to take charge and provide necessary self-care. Research shows that Massage can help the body achieve deeper sleep and sleep quality. During Phase IV sleep, the body’s repair mechanisms go to work, and can improve inflammation responses, digestion and cognition and emotional stability. And who doesn’t feel better after a particularly good night of rest?
What should I know before I get a massage?
Massage can help, but it can also hurt. Everyone
responds differently to massage. Some people get great relief from massage with
deep pressure. However, others wind up sorer after a really firm massage than
they were before. This is because for some people, Deep pressure creates
inflammation. It is not uncommon to be a little bit sore for 24 hours after a
massage, but if you are a lot sore, or if it lasts for longer than one day, you
need to tell your therapist to ease up next time. Trust that you know your body
better than anyone else, and if you don’t like something, it’s probably not
good for you.
When you come to me for a treatment it is very
important to always speak to me during the treatment so I know what pressure is
working for you and what isn’t. There is
time for a silent energy healing session at the end of the bodywork treatment
to help balance the energies and nervous system.
If you have been diagnosed woth fibromyalgia you may notice pain in these areas.
Back of the neck
If you have fibromyalgia, you may have tender points at the back of the neck, where the base of the skull and the neck meet. Neck pain can also be caused by injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, or activities that strain the neck, like slouching or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
Elbows
Fibromyalgia patients may also feel tenderness on their forearms, near the crease of each elbow. The pain tends to be below the crease and toward the outer side of the arm. Other causes of elbow pain can include tendonitis or repetitive strain injuries.
Front of the neck
In addition to the back of the neck, doctors will check potential fibromyalgia patients for pain at the front of the neck. This pair of trigger points is located well above the collarbone, on either side of the larynx.
Hips
Hip pain is common in those with osteoarthritis, but people with arthritis tend to feel it in the joint. In contrast, people with fibromyalgia may have a tender point near where the buttock muscles curve to join the thighs.
Lower back
The lower back is one of the most common body parts to be the source of pain. Overall, more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults has experienced low back pain. However, people with fibromyalgia may have pain trigger points at the very top of the buttocks, right at the bottom of the lower back.
Knees
While knee trouble is common in people with fibromyalgia, the inside of each knee pad may feel tender touch
Upper back
Tender points are often sites on the body where tendons and muscles meet. Such is the case for this pair of tender points, located where the back muscles connect to the shoulder blades in the upper back.
Shoulders
In addition to tenderness in the upper back, some people with fibromyalgia have tender points just above that, halfway between the edge of the shoulder and the bottom of the back.
Chest
People with fibromyalgia may have tender points on either side of the sternum, a few inches below the collarbone (near the second rib). The sternum, also known as the breastbone, helps protect the heart and lungs.
Holistic therapies are an amazing ways to help ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Mindfulness meditation dna healthy diet.
It is commonly accepted, and
scientifically proven, that a healthy diet can have a positive effect on
overall health. Similarly, what you eat can play a role in how you experience
fibromyalgia—possibly triggering flare-ups and/or providing relief. Diet,
therefore, is often discussed along with other non-pharmacologic
(non-medication) treatments for fibromyalgia.
Although there is no specific diet
for all fibromyalgia sufferers, it has been shown that vegetarian diets tend to
help fibromyalgia. Researches suspect that this is because such diets are low
in fat and protein, and high in fibre, beta carotene, vitamin C, and minerals
and antioxidants.
Fibromyalgia Nutritional Research
The following provides an overview of
recent research into nutrients that may be beneficial additions to a
fibromyalgia diet:
Antioxidants as
part of a diet to help fibromyalgia:
Antioxidants are molecules that stop oxidation (a chemical reaction that can produce
something called free radicals that can damage cells). The body’s antioxidant
system provides defense to keep these free radicals in check. Dietary
antioxidants help our bodies to maintain our antioxidant systems. Examples of
antioxidants are vitamins C, A, E, and melatonin to name a few. There may be a
relationship between higher oxidation and the occurrence of fibromyalgia
symptoms, but further research is needed in this area.
Ferritin and iron
as part of a fibromyalgia diet:
There has been research into a possible connection between fibromyalgia
symptoms and low blood levels of iron and ferritin (the storage form of iron).
Iron is important in the formation of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals in the
brain that are involved in pain perception. However, there is no evidence at
this time that iron supplementation would help in the treatment of fibromyalgia
symptoms.
Amino acids in the
fibromyalgia diet: Amino acids are the building blocks
of proteins and make up a large part of human muscles and cells. There has been
some research showing that patients with fibromyalgia seem to have lower levels
of certain amino acids in their blood.
Coenzyme Q10 as
part of a diet to help fibromyalgia:
Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant (see above) that is important for cell function.
There is some evidence that including coenzyme Q10 in the diet may improve
fibromyalgia symptoms.
Fibromyalgia Diet Food List
Fibromyalgia sufferers should eat a
diet that’s high in lean protein and fibre, and lower in carbohydrates. Foods
that help fibromyalgia include fruits with a low glycaemic index, vegetables
and whole grains. A well-balanced diet can improve energy level and staying
physically active can lead to better overall health.
The lists below provide examples of
the types of foods that may help fibromyalgia symptoms. However, as people with
fibromyalgia often have food sensitivities, what relieves symptoms in one
person may trigger a flare-up in others. It’s important to listen to your body
and to create your own fibromyalgia diet food list.
