Can massage ease fibromyalgia pain?
With Swedish massage, the practitioner uses a system of long strokes, kneading, and friction techniques. With these, the practitioner massages the more superficial layers of the muscles. The massage is combined with active and passive movements of the joints. Oil is usually used to facilitate the stroking and kneading of the body, thereby stimulating metabolism and circulation. The massage therapist applies pressure and rubs the muscles in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Deep tissue massage may be helpful for those with fibromyalgia. The reason is therapists use greater pressure than is used in Swedish massage. In so doing, they target the deep layers of muscle. Using a series of slow strokes and direct pressure, the therapist will strive to release chronic patterns of muscular tension. Sometimes, the therapists use their elbows or thumbs to push hard into the deepest grain of the muscle to reduce tension. Neuromuscular massage combines the basic princip
