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Category: Therapy

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Massage can help people with fibromyalgia

Massage Therapy Can Help With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a painful rheumatic condition characterized by muscle aches and specific tender points throughout the body. Those with fibromyalgia are also more likely to experience episodes of anxiety and depression as well as difficulty sleeping relative to their levels of pain (Rattray & Ludwig, 2000). The mechanism that causes fibromyalgia is still not clearly understood nor is there a cure for the condition. This can make it difficult for those with fibromyalgia to find proper treatments. Benefits of Massage Massage therapy can benefit those with fibromyalgia by providing a relaxing treatment that not only helps with regional pain but also decreases depressive moods and anxiety. (Field et al., 2002; Leonid 2010). Studies suggest that the increase in muscle flexibility and local blood and lymph circulation caused by massage may cause the inflammatory mediators of pain to be reabsorbed. The increase in serotonin levels experienced during a massage are also likely to contribute to the decrease in pain felt by the patient by the end of a treatment (Li et at., 2014). By controlling the pain, patients will also benefit from better sleep and improved moods. What to Know Before Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are trained...

MRI lumbar disc herniation

Chiropractic Manipulation for Sciatica

When a patient’s leg pain is thought to be caused by an ‘active’ disc disorder, such as a disc protrusion or herniation, it is called sciatica. In this situation, chiropractors may consider the use of spinal manipulation as one potential treatment option. This form of treatment has been reported to be safe and effective. Here is a brief summary/list of the peer-reviewed literature that examines the effectiveness and safety of chiropractic spine manipulation for lumbar disc herniation causing sciatica. Evidence of Benefit A very recent, retrospective analysis of US patient data suggested that receiving spine manipulation from a chiropractor for newly diagnosed lumbar disc herniation is associated with significantly reduced odds of discectomy over 2-year follow-up, when compared to other forms of care. See Reference 1 A single-blind, randomized clinical trial in 2000 compared osteopathic spine manipulation with chemonucleolysis (injections) for lumbar disc herniation with sciatica. By 12 months, there was no statistically significant difference in outcome between the treatments (for leg pain, back pain and self-reported disability), but spine manipulation produced a statistically significant greater improvement for back pain and disability in the first few weeks of the study. See Reference 2 A randomized, double-blind trial in 2006 compared...