ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
Various alternative therapies have been shown to assist in the pain management and general treatment of Fibromyalgia.
Most are not specific to FM, but aid the general relaxation of the mind and body.
Here we look at a few of these 'alternative' therapies.
Massage **
For some FM sufferers, having the neck and shoulders massaged as well as the back and arms etc., have a beneficial effect, although not always long term
For others, just having someone touch you where you are tender is just too much and can be more agonising than therapeutic.
If this is the case, a nice foot massage suits most people, and although itself has no or little actual physical benefit, this can be very relaxing, and therefore assist in your general relaxation which makes you feel better and aids sleep.
Indian Head Massage
Now this is one of my favourites, where the massage is concentrated on the head, neck and shoulders. If you are tender around the neck and shoulder areas, which I am, just let your therapist know to go gentle or avoid specific areas. This form of massage is very relaxing and restful., but watch out if you get headaches. It can help greatly, but tell the therapist if you suffer badly from headaches, or have one at the time.
Reflexology **
This treatment is generally worked on the feet although the hands can be used.
This is not a massage to the foot but the therapist will put a gentle pressure on certain trigger points on the foot that relate to areas within the body., i.e. the head, eyes, stomach, heart, liver etc.
This can be a good treatment for reducing the pain in FM and improve a sluggish system, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
This is not suitable for everyone, and certain conditions have to be made aware to the therapist, i.e. heart conditions, diabetes and cancer (current or previous)
also it is one of those treatments that can actually make you feel worse at the time but feel the benefit more so over the next few days
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into various points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. It is based on the same principles as the reflexology working with the meridians
Reiki **
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by laying on hands and is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
As no pressure is actually applied to the body, the hands are either held above the body, or there is a very light touch, then there are no issues with this treatment adding pressure to areas you do not want touched. Many people will feel intense heat during the treatment in the areas where the hands are touching or are above.
you don't have to be especially 'spiritual' to benefit from Reiki, but accept that this is 'working with energy forces' which some people find difficult to understand.
Most Reiki 'treatments' are undertaken with the 'patient' lying down, but this can be done from a sitting position is this is better for you.
There are other forms of 'Energy & Spiritual Healing' that work on similar principles to Reiki
Whatever treatment you find you want to try, make sure that the therapist is fully trained and insured. Whatever the treatment they should all require full medical history from you the first time you attend. This includes any medication that you are currently taking.
The treatments above that I have stared ** are therapies that I have trained in. I can no longer undertake the more physical therapies such as massage and reflexology, but am happy to give advice.
I am currently studying Shamism, and Shamanic Healing and will write more on this and my experiences at a later point.
Let us know what treatments you have tried. what has worked and what has hindered.
