The Benefits of Massage for Fibromyalgia and Neuropathy

One of the most amazing aspects about being a massage therapist is having the privilege of holding a space for people from all walks of life.

I always feel especially honoured when I'm entrusted by those who present me with very unique cases. It challenges me to try and step it up a notch to go above and beyond to the best of my ability. My aim is always about making a lasting impression from the moment they first walk through the door to the moment they leave. No matter what someone is going through with their health and well-being, everyone should be treated as equals. The following story is a testament of that from my own experience.

In January, I had the opportunity to treat a client who has had an ongoing condition of Neuropathy and Fibromyalgia. This has also caused her to have hypersensitivity to touch, joint hypermobility, sensitivity to radiation, difficulty breathing and allergies.

Studies have shown that Massage Therapy can help treat these symptoms to:

- clear out toxins within muscles, increasing range of motion - increase blood circulation to nourish nerve endings - reduce spasms and cramping - decrease stress levels promoting a sense of calm and relaxation for mental wellness - improve the seratonin and melatonin hormones

Prior to her first treatment, we had spoken on the phone a few days earlier regarding some special requirements that she requested. This was highly valuable to me as it was important to make her feel at ease and comfortable during her visit.

Due to her allergies, I made it a ritual to make sure that I didn't wear any strong perfume or have any essential oils burning in the room. It was also imperative that noise was kept to a minimum and that the WiFi was turned off because of her sensitivity to the radiation.

I used the diagram on her client history form as a guide of where she highlighted the safe places I could massage her as well as the spots to avoid. She also had an awesome communication strategy with me by using the thumbs up/thumbs down method and Tingsha bells to indicate about the massage pressure. Whenever we spoke, I couldn't help but keep my voice down to a whisper.

Although there were certain limitations, it has enlightened me again of how it's so important to accommodate to other people's needs in this profession.

When you look at it from the other person's perspective, and make even just a couple of changes to suit their needs, their appreciation becomes invaluable once you've made the effort to understand them. It's a little piece of bliss for them to always remember you by.