Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain and a cluster of other symptoms including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, stiffness, and a variety of somatic complaints .
Affecting 2% to 5% of the population, it has been identified as one of the most economically burdensome conditions .
In 2021-2022, LittleMum conducted an online survey in UK and USA and received 2237 responses.
For those are diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, of which 97.5% are women ranging from young to middle-aged, with the average age ranging between 25-64 years old. Men and children are diagnosed at a far lesser rate.
The patients with FM had a poor quality of life, being “physical pain” and depression and anxiety. Sadly, more than 70% of responses have been suffering Fibromyalgia more than 5 years.
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress.
People with fibromyalgia often seek symptomatic relief from multiple medical and complementary and alternative treatments. Other complementary and alternative therapies, such as heat therapy, Sauna ,massage therapy can be useful to manage fibromyalgia symptoms.
The American College of Rheumatology Committee strongly recommend to avoid opioid narcotic medications for treating fibromyalgia. The reason for this is that research evidence shows these drugs are not of helpful to most people with fibromyalgia, and will cause greater pain sensitivity or make pain persist.
Research shows that the most effective treatment for fibromyalgia is physical exercise. Physical exercise should be used in addition to any drug treatment. Patients benefit most from regular aerobic exercises. Although you may be in pain, low impact physical exercise will not be harmful.
Of all the alternative therapies available, more and more research is showing that massage therapy provides real benefits to people dealing with a number of health conditions, including fibromyalgia. A study in 2011 showed that massage therapy caused reductions in sensitivity to pain at tender points in patients with FM, as well as lowering anxiety levels and increasing quality of sleep. Another study from 2014, which systematically reviewed nine other studies about massage therapy and FM, found that massage therapy with duration ≥5 weeks had beneficial immediate effects on improving pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with FM. Massage therapy should be one of the viable complementary and alternative treatments for FM.
If you like massage therapy and are looking for a device you can self massage at home, LittleMum Trapezius Trigger Point Massager is highly recommended for you.
Some studies show over 90% of the FMS sample report pain in the trapezius. LittleMum Trigger Point massager is originally designed for people with Trapezius Myalgia.
A study showed that characterized by chronic neck and shoulder pain, people with ‘trapezius myalgia’ (TM), display the same autonomic nervous system signature (low heart rate variability) found in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and other so-called allied disorders. That would explain why LittleMum Trapezius Trigger Point Massager is gaining popularity in people with fibromyalgia.
LittleMum Trapezius Trigger Point Massager, made of food-grade siliccone, perfectly mimics the pressure produced by massage therapists, targets the deep layers of area to ease muscle, improve blood flow and relieve neck and shoulder pain for people with fibromyalgia, whose muscle tissue normally is unable to relax after contracting, causing the muscles to stay in a 'shortened position'.
You just need lie down and settle your weight on LittleMum Trapezius massager. Your neck will be supported in the neutral aligned position and helps your neck stay in its optimal C-curve consistent with the rest of your spine. You may feel uncomfortable or painful during the session which would naturally fade away in short time your session.
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You can buy it via amazon, 30 days returnable. Worth a try.
Back pain is so common in patients with fibromyalgia that it was initially one of the symptoms physicians looked for when diagnosing the condition. If you are suffering back pain from fibromyalgia and you have purchased LittleMum Trapezius Massager and love it, then LittleMum Back Trigger Point Massager would be your smart choice.
Please always remember there is no miracle. Consistency is the key. If you are not a fan of massage, please don't return the massager before you have used them for around 20 days. Be patient please. Have some relief
This information is provided for general education only. Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment of a medical or health condition.
References
1. Fibromyalgia, American College of Rheumatology
2. Castro-Sánchez, A.M., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G.A., Granero-Molina, J., Aguilera-Manrique, G., Quesada-Rubio, J.M., Moreno-Lorenzo, C. (2011). Benefits of massage-myofascial release therapy on pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011:561753.
3 Li Y.H., Wang F.Y., Feng C.Q., Yang X.F., Sun Y.H. (2014) Massage therapy for fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2014 Feb 20;9(2):e89304. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089304. eCollection 2014.
4. Cause of Upper Body Pain in Fibromyalgia (and ME/CFS?) Identified? Plus: ‘Trapezius Myalgia’ – Another Sister Disorder Identified? ( Cort Johnson)