Fibromyalgia

Fibro = fiber

My = muscle

Algia = pain

Fibromyalgia literally means muscle fiber pain. But why do we experience muscle pain? Overuse? Misuse? How do we overuse or misuse our muscles? We sometimes push ourselves too hard and put alot of stress on our bodies. Maybe we have poor posture or have a strange stride while walking. Maybe we utilize poor body mechanics while performing daily routines and chores.

Fibromyalgia will be diagnosed in a person who experiences pain in at least 11 of 18 pre-determined points of the body, which is shown in the above picture. But the big question is...

Can fibromyalgia trigger points be treated without medications or other invasive techniques?

The answer is YES IT CAN!!! Although massage therapists do not diagnose patients with having fibromyalgia, they can help remove them by a process known as trigger point therapy (TPT). TPT is also known as ischemic compression. This technique involves pressing on the trigger point with a finger, thumb or other tool the therapist may use, to help squeeze out the calcified toxins.

The pressure and depth of the applied pressure varies depending on location and sensitivity of the trigger point. TPT will cause pain but the therapist is trained to keep it within each individual clients tolerance level. It may take a few visits to rid a trigger point from the muscle if it has been present for a length of time.