Massage Therapy for Chronic Conditions
Massage Therapy for Chronic Conditions
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Chronic conditions can have a significant impact on people’s lives. These conditions can make it difficult for them to work, interact with their families, or to keep doing activities they love. Often, people with chronic conditions focus many of their treatments on finding relief from some of the most disruptive symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, and anxiety. Massage therapy is one safe and effective way people with many chronic conditions can find some symptom relief.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can include symptoms of widespread muscle pain and fatigue and other symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Moderate pressure massage therapy has been found to help people with fibromyalgia reduce their pain frequency and intensity. Massage therapy, especially when considered over several weeks, can also help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with fibromyalgia.
Multiple Sclerosis
Chronic pain is common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can significantly impact their quality of life. Massage therapy can help people with multiple sclerosis reduce their pain and get back to doing activities they love. People with multiple sclerosis often also experience fatigue and difficulties with mobility, and massage therapy can help them to reduce their fatigue and improve their mobility. The majority of people with MS report that they also experience spasticity, which causes feelings of stiffness and a range of involuntary muscle spasms and can be a big contributor to disability. Massage therapy can also help people with MS manage the impacts of spasticity.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and can have a significant negative impact on quality of life. Osteoarthritis often causes pain and stiffness in the affected joint. Massage therapy can help people with osteoarthritis reduce their pain and stiffness and improve the function of the affected joint. Massage therapy can also help people with osteoarthritis better able to complete their regular daily activities without pain.
Chronic Migraine
Migraines can impact quality of life, sleep quality, and overall ability to function, especially when the migraines are chronic, which can be considered one or more migraines per month. Massage therapy can help people with chronic migraine reduce their pain intensity, which helps them to improve their sleep quality. Massage therapy may also have some impact in helping to reduce migraine frequency and can even potentially reduce medication use.
Massage Therapy can Help
There are many different chronic conditions that can be associated with chronic pain and other symptoms that can benefit from massage therapy. These are conditions where there is no cure, and treatments are focused on relieving symptoms. These symptoms can be disruptive, making it harder for people to independently complete their regular daily activities. Massage therapy is one of the non-pharmacological options that people with many chronic conditions can use to relieve their pain and other symptoms.
References
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