I'm sure by now you understand that there are many ways that fibromyalgia can effect the body. The combination of symptoms and how they present for each person is also different. This can be a factor in the difficulty of both identifying fibromyalgia as the diagnosis and treating the fibromyalgia once it has been diagnosed.
Here are is a list of some of the most common symptoms we see at the massage studio when our clients come in seeking relief from their fibromyalgia.
Muscle and Joint Pain
Fatigue
Sensitivity to touch, sound, and other senses
IBS or general GI issues
Brain fog
Insomnia and sleep issues
Rashes, Hives, and other skin sensitivities
While these symptoms can be widespread and seemingly unrelated (what does joint pain have to do with IBS?) it is important to look at the entire picture versus the symptoms individually. Functional medicine doctors, naturopaths, and really outstanding MD's or DO's, will also ask the question: What is the Root Cause of these symptoms?
This bring us to: YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM. Yes, we now know that Fibromyalgia is largely a nervous system issue and when we look at fibromyalgia symptoms through this lens we get a whole new picture. In a way our nervous system rules over or works in tandem with all the other systems of the our body. Our body will make changes depending on which nervous system we are in. It helps us to deal with immediate danger by giving us the ability to fight or flee, and it helps us to heal and recover during the rest and digest nervous system. Think about the stories of a grandma able to move a car to save her grandchildren. This topic can take up a whole blog of it's own. The point however, is that whenever you have a fibro symptom your nervous system is behind it.
Understanding this is a big deal. For you, this can help you plan out self care. For me, this can help us design a treatment plan that can be amazingly beneficial at easing your symptoms and flare ups. Whether you come in with Brain Fog, joint pain, or are feeling overstimulated with senses; we begin and we end with a deep focus on your nervous system.
The symptoms listed above happen to be the most common ones I see and treat with massage therapy, but there are many other symptoms and variations that people with fibromyalgia experience.
What symptoms do you find that you struggle with the most?
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