Fibromyalgia is a health condition that causes widespread pain and sensitivity to touch. This type of condition is more common in women than in men, and it is still unknown to science why some people may suffer from Fibromyalgia, even though it is known that stress can play a significant role. On the other hand, genetics can also be the reason why someone can suffer from Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia signs and symptoms
Symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:
- headaches
- sleep disturbances
- numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
- muscle and joint stiffness after a period of rest (after sleeping)
- restlesconditionsndrome
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia
To be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, you have to visit your GP first, who may refer you to a specialist.
The most widely used clinical criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia are sourced from the American College of Rheumatology:
- pain and symptoms over the past week, based on the total of:
-
- number of painful areas out of 18 parts of the body
- The severity of these symptoms:
- fatigue
- waking unrefreshed
- cognitive problems (that can be memory or thought)
- Plus other general physical symptoms
- Symptoms lasting at least 3 months, with unchanged
- Exclusion of other health problems that could reproduce the pain and other symptoms.
Treatment and management
So, currently, there is no direct cure for fibromyalgia, but there are many treatments that can help manage this condition, like:
- improving your sleep routine
- more of a balanced diet
- relaxation
- meditation
- exercise
- MLD
You can also talk to your GP to see what medications can reduce or manage the pain.
How MLD can help with Fibromyalgia?
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, non-invasive manual therapy that aims at boosting the Lymphatic System.
Along with the delivery of MLD, the therapist would gently stretch your skin and let the skin recoil, with a pain-free touch. This constant repetitive skin stimulation has a positive impact on the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the portion of the nervous system responsible for what we call “rest and digest” mode.
Other benefits delivered from MLD are:
- Oedema reduction
- Deep relaxation
- Inflammation reduction
- Body’s fluid stimulation
- Skin health improvement
- Chronic pain management
Giovanni La Rocca
Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipoedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.