Fibromyalgia Relief Using Meridian Massage

Fibromyalgia is pain and fatigue throughout the body.

Fibromyalgia is a somewhat mysterious condition to evaluate:

According to the Mayo Clinic: “Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues…Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.”

Regardless of our ability to diagnose it, fibromyalgia is a painful and challenging condition to endure. Meridian Massage may offer some relief.
Meridian Massage uses Classical Chinese medicine as its basis for evaluation and treatment. Since Chinese medicine has such a different view of health and illness, Meridian Massage offers a unique approach to relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia – the Meridian Massage perspective:

1. Muscle pain is a sign of Qi Stagnation.
2. Fatigue is a sign of deficient (not enough) Qi.
3. Sleep, memory, and mood issues are signs of Yin and Yang being out of balance.

What does all of this mean?

• Qi (“chee”) is energy.
  Qi is the primary focus of Chinese medicine and Meridian Massage. As long we have plenty of Qi and it is flowing easily throughout our entire system, we experience ease and “health.”
• Yin and Yang are the two primary forces of creation.
  Like two sides of the same coin, Yin and Yang are reliant on one another for their existence. Yin and Yang merge to create all life, even human life. In order for our life to feel vibrant, flowing, and joyful, Yin and Yang within our body-mind must be cooperating, communicating, and flowing.

Based on the above, the intention of our work is simple:

1. Increase the amount and flow of Qi.
2. Get Yin and Yang back into better communication, flow, or harmony.

Using lifestyle adjustments and hands-on Meridian Massage, we can support the underlying Qi, while we encourage Yin and Yang to connect.

Lifestyle Adjustments

1. Take time to rest – consciously resting or napping will give the body and mind time to recuperate.
2. Gentle movement – by never over-doing it, yet gently easing oneself into thoughtful movement will help the Qi flow. Gentle, physical movement encourages Qi to flow. When Qi gets flowing, pain decreases.
3. Eat long-cooked, easy to digest food. Long-cooked foods, especially soup, make absorption of nutrients easy. Since the system is already lacking energy, let’s make digestion as easy and efficient as possible. Soup is full of nutrients and easy to digest. The digestive process includes absorbing Qi. Eating this way helps replenish the Qi.

Hands-on Meridian Massage*

1. Acupoints to revitalize the Qi:
   Stomach 36 combined with Spleen 6
   Kidney 3 combined with Heart 7
   Ren 4, Ren 6, Ren 17, Du 20
   The Back-Shu points
2. Acupoints to move Qi:
   Liver 3 combined with Large Intestine 4
   Gallbladder 20, 21, 34, 40, 41
3. Acupoints to harmonize Yin and Yang:
   Kidney 3 combined with Heart 7
   Du 20 combined with Ren 4
   Ren 17 combined with Ren 4 or 6
   Read: “How to balance Fire and Water” to see these points in action

*All of these acupoints may be painful!
Do not create painful sensations with your pressure.
Work as lightly as needed, which may mean no physical contact to these points. You can hoover above the point or make very light contact, keeping your focused intent on the point, which activates the Qi.

How long will this take to resolve?

Manifestations that have been present for longer periods of time often take longer to resolve. I am offering one approach based on what I know. This is not the only approach, and I am assuming that Meridian Massage is a part of an integrated system of healing.
 
I suggest having three consecutive Meridian Massage sessions once a week. Use only a few points in each session so that you and your client can assess what is working without over-doing it. It is important to be conservative to eliminate the chance of creating more pain for our clients. After three sessions, you and your client can re-assess how to proceed based on the results.
To continue learning, check out the “Fibromyalgia Relief Using Meridian Massage” video on demand.