Is Thai Massage Good for Fibromyalgia?

Are you suffering from Fibromyalgia?

Characterized by chronic pain and extreme sensitivity to pressure, this chronic musculoskeletal condition affects nearly five million Americans. 

Aside from experiencing pain throughout your entire body, those with fibromyalgia also experience tension headaches, feelings of fatigue, stiffness, and sleep disorders. While there is currently no known cure for fibromyalgia, you shouldn’t have to suffer. 

Massage therapies have been proven to ease the symptoms of this disease. In this article, we will discuss how fibromyalgia affects you and how Thai massage may help with fibromyalgia. 

How Fibromyalgia Affects Your Body

At present, the cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. With this, those who get diagnosed with it often get anxious if they will ever find relief from its symptoms. 

In 1990, researchers from the American College of Rheumatology were able to identify 18 fibromyalgia pressure points. Experienced Thai massage therapists already recognize these as Marmas. Marma in Sanskrit means hidden or secret. A  Marma point is a junction on the body where two or more tissue types meet, such as muscle, vein, ligament, bone or joints. 

Fibromyalgia patients feel the tension in their skeletal muscles and connective muscle tissues, which reduces the elasticity of their muscles and impacts their arterial blood supply. When this happens, their pain receptors get activated, resulting in the chronic pain that patients experience. 

Because the root cause of the symptoms can’t be determined, treating pain experienced by those with fibromyalgia proves to be challenging. Aside from physical pain, problems in your central nervous system’s release of serotonin may also lead to mood swings and depression. Furthermore, it can affect your ability to get quality rest, which leads to feelings of exhaustion.

Thai Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

As mentioned, fibromyalgia has no known direct cure yet. However, there are different types of treatments available to ease a patient’s symptoms. 

One of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia sufferers is massage therapy. By getting a Thai massage, you can enjoy pain relief, a reduction in stress hormones, and a boost in your serotonin levels after the manipulation of the Marmas. All of these combined leads to an improved sense of well-being for people with fibromyalgia. 

When done right, Thai massage techniques can help keep you relaxed and improve the quality of your sleep. When you get a good night’s sleep, your body can repair itself better so you can start fresh the next day. Quality rest doesn’t only give you more physical vitality, but also the mental clarity needed to address challenges throughout your day. 

Not all Thai massage is the same. However, the best approach for those with fibromyalgia involves a combination of kneading, pressure, stretching, and heat at just the right levels. These massage techniques will help reduce the tightness in your body and improve your mobility so you can perform other physical activities and your day-to-day tasks.

Because Thai massage can clear the blockage in the pathways by which your life forces flow, it can help ease your pain and clear out stagnancy within your tissues.

Thai Massage Limitations for Fibromyalgia Patients

Before getting any type of massage, it is recommended to consult with your physician. 

A typical Thai massage may involve intense pressures and movements, which may not be suitable for those with fibromyalgia because they are sensitive. However, experienced Thai practitioners use techniques that involve gentler motions and pressure that adapts to each individual. 

Make sure to inform your Thai massage therapist about your condition so the practitioner can adjust the techniques accordingly. Keep in mind that deep tissue work is not advisable because the intensity and overstretching of the muscles can lead to pain and discomfort that you don’t want.

Furthermore, if you decide to get a massage, you need to consider adding the herbal compress. Your primary goal should be to relax yourself and make your body more flexible and elastic. 

How Thai Massage Can Benefit Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Below are some of the ways fibromyalgia patients can benefit from Thai massage sessions:

• Promotes relaxation, leading to better sleep- Evening Thai massage sessions may help patients improve their quality of sleep. This is beneficial as it allows the body to recover faster.
• Enhances muscle tone- Thai massage therapy can make your muscles more effective and improve the vitality of your body.
• Improves mental clarity- When you’re relaxed, your mental strain reduces and your mental awareness is heightened.
• Eliminates headaches- More blood flow to the brain can ease the physical source of headaches among fibromyalgia patients.

Generally, experiencing some relief from these symptoms can help keep your mind in a healthier space.

Final Thoughts

Are you looking for a reliable Thai massage practitioner in the city who can tailor the session according to your specific needs? You should check out ThaiMassage-NYC.

With over 14 years of experience, we know how to ease your symptoms and provide long-term relief. If you want to learn more about our Thai massage services, get in touch with Thai Massage New York City today!