Fibromyalgia: 'The Invisible Disease'

(is actually a syndrome)

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Fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-AL-ja) syndrome (FM)

Although many people suffer from it, numerous people have never heard of fibromyalgia. 

Fibromyalgia's main symptom is widespread musculoskeletal pain.  Fibromyalgia is chronic illneses that causes immense physical pain and debilitating fatigue. Classified as a syndrome, fibromyalgia is not a disease. Instead it is a condition that causes many different symptoms. These symptoms affect all systems in the body. Fibromyalgia plagues up to 5% of the population, with 6 million sufferers in the United States alone. The name fibromyalgia comes from "fibro" meaning fibrous tissue (such as tendons and ligaments), "my" meaning muscles, and "algia" meaning pain.  

I, am a silent sufferer of fibromyalgia, and my life, will most likely, never be the same again (as it was before it began).

Reflexology

Author: http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_reflexology.html

History
Reflexology is thought to have its roots in ancient Egypt, where pictograms have been found showing men having their hands and feet rubbed. The practice was also used in the Roman Empire, China, India and by the Incans in South America, who it’s believed passed the practice onto the people who became the North American First Nations. During the 1930s, Eunice D. Ingham, a physical therapist, discovered that the placement of pressure points on the foot mirrors the placement of organs within the body. Ingham went on to publish "Stories the Feet Can Tell", which forms the basis of modern reflexology, in 1938.

Is Reflexology the Same as Massage?
Reflexology is not the same as standard massage therapy. While massage therapy concentrates on relieving pain and tension from muscles, reflexology works to heal the parts of the body, which cannot be touched from the outside by manipulating pressure points. This technique is similar to acupuncture and acupressure.

How Reflexology can Help Fibromyalgia Sufferers
In one study of 10 fibromyalgia sufferers who had reflexology treatments twice weekly for five weeks, researchers found definite improvement in the symptoms of all ten of the patients, with no side-effects.

FMS patients who have undergone regular reflexology treatments report an improvement in:

Mental clarity
Irritable bowel syndrome
Fatigue
Sleep disorders
Depression
Myofascial pain
Tender point pain

Getting Started
Reflexology can be done at home, using charts or special reflexology socks and gloves, to show you where the pressure points you should be stimulating are. If you choose to go this route, it would probably be beneficial to attend a workshop to learn how to do reflexology on yourself effectively and what points to stimulate in order to obtain the maximum relief of your FMS symptoms.

However, a trained reflexologist might be the best option for those looking for specific types of pain relief and to obtain a more relaxing experience, especially for those who list anxiety as a symptom of their FMS. Many insurers will cover reflexology as a complimentary therapy for fibromyalgia.

Reflexology can be done as part of a full body massage, or as a stand-alone treatment. On the first visit to a reflexologist, you will talk to your therapist about what specific things you want treatment for and what are the symptoms you are trying to alleviate. Treatments usually last around half an hour, but try to schedule your sessions for times when you do not have to rush off, as your reaction to the treatment can be unpredictable.

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