Fibromyalgia sufferers are in constant pain and discomfort and are desperate for relief. Deep tissue massage is one of the most effective therapies that has been proven to alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms in patients in Largo, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.Fibromyalgia comes from Greek and Latin words. Fibro means fibrous, myo means muscle and algos means pain. Fibromyalgia therefore means pain in fibrous tissues and muscles. The disease was recognized by the American Medical Association only in 1987. By 1990, the American College of Rheumatology identified the existence of 18 common tender points and at least six months of widespread body pain as the basis for diagnosis. In 1992, international recognition was achieved through the Copenhagen Declaration of international experts who formally established the various symptoms of fibromyalgia, including the 18 common tender points.The other symptoms of fibromyalgia are constant fatigue, migraines, tension headaches, blurred vision, painful menstrual periods, disrupted and non-restorative sleep, sleep apnea, intolerance of exercise, numbness or tingling, heart palpitations, impaired cognition, irritable bowels with bloating, gas, distention and pain, temperature sensitivity, restless legs and abnormalities in skin and fingernails.Although just recently acknowledged by mainstream medicine, fibromyalgia plagues some 6 million Americans and many millions more around the world. Eighty to ninety percent of sufferers are women.Fibromyalgia is considered as a biochemical imbalance with no known cause as yet, although heredity is seen as a factor. The imbalance includes decreased levels of nerve transmitters and amino acids such as Serotonin, Substance P, Endorphins, Enkephalins and Tryptophan. These are responsible for restorative sleep and pain alleviation. The lack of recuperative sleep and heightened perceptions of pain create a vicious cycle that develops into chronic pain. The cycle of pain and soft tissue spasms cause the muscles to constrict, limiting blood circulation and leading to congestion. This, in turn, leads to decreased oxygenation and nutritional uptake and decreased ability to expel metabolic waste, again leading to more pain. The lack of healing sleep also leads to a depletion of growth hormone which can only be manufactured by the body during deep sleep. This same hormone is needed for muscle maintenance and repair. With decreased growth hormones, the micro trauma experienced by pained muscle fibers and fascia remains unrepaired, adding more pain. Pain medication is usually prescribed for fibromyalgia. It is often insufficient, though. Constant pain remains and dependence and overdose are possible. Deep tissue massage, on the other hand, has been observed to deliver true relief and is the treatment of choice of majority of fibromyalgia sufferers. In fact, a study done in 1996 found that patients experienced a 38% decrease in their pain after only ten sessions of 30-minute massages. They also began to sleep better and longer. Regular long term massage therapy will result in even more relief.This is not surprising since the various problems described in fibromyalgia are the same problems addressed by deep tissue massage. It increases blood circulation, relieving congestion, increasing oxygenation and facilitating the flushing of metabolic waste. The massage also relieves the chronic headache associated with fibromyalgia. Furthermore, deep tissue massage has been known to trigger the production of Endorphins which are lacking in fibromyalgia patients.So if you have the symptoms of fibromyalgia, isn’t it about time you start taking care of it? It’s safe to start with deep tissue massage from a professionally trained massage therapist in Largo.Once your fibromyalgia has improved through deep tissue massage, you should try to start a fitness regimen. Consult a Largo fitness instructor who is familiar with the special needs of fibromyalgia patients. Don’t forget to include sports massage in your regimen. Ask for it from your deep tissue massage therapist in Largo 33771.