Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/465652
SOMATIC RESE ARCH From these data, we cannot determine the most effective amount and duration of care for patients with fibromyalgia, other than to say that treatment is most beneficial if provided for at least five weeks. Finally, based on these results, we cannot determine the benefit of massage when combined with other therapies. Most patients with fibromyalgia visit several health-care providers and seek multiple treatments. Through these studies, we cannot determine what combination of care would be most beneficial for fibromyalgia patients. CONCLUSION The conclusions of this research review can be summarized as follows: 1. At least five weeks of massage therapy is likely needed to demonstrate pain reduction in fibromyalgia patients. Your clients may improve sooner than five weeks; however, you should let them know they might not see substantial results right away. 2. Fibromyalgia patients may also experience improvement in anxiety and depression after five weeks of massage therapy. Again, let your clients know it might take time before they see substantial results. 3. There is little evidence that massage therapy helps fibromyalgia clients with their sleep patterns. More research is needed on this topic. F r e e m u s i c d o w n l o a d s f o r C e r t i f i e d m e m b e r s : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 49 4. Massage therapy may not help all clients with fibromyalgia. Even though it appears most clients will benefit from massage, we do not yet know if there are certain types of clients who are less likely to respond. We also do not know the best massage treatment protocol for fibromyalgia patients. Use your best judgment in deciding treatment types, time, and duration. 5. Massage therapy is expected to be safe for patients with fibromyalgia, as evidenced by no adverse reactions in any of the studies reviewed. However, be sure to assess your clients for other comorbidities or contraindications for massage. Notes 1. Mayo Clinic, "Fibromyalgia," accessed January 2015, www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/basics/definition/con-20019243. 2. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, "Questions and Answers about Fibromyalgia," accessed January 2015, www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia. 3. Yan-hui Li et al., "Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," PLoS ONE 9, no. 2 (2014). Jerrilyn Cambron, DC, PhD, MPH, LMT, is an educator at the National University of Health Sciences and president of the Massage Therapy Foundation. Contact her at jcambron@nuhs.edu. At least five weeks of massage therapy is likely needed to demonstrate pain reduction in fibromyalgia patients.