Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that can cause widespread pain, increased sensitivity, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and a range of other symptoms.
For someone living with fibromyalgia, even touch that another person might find comfortable can sometimes feel unpleasant or painful. That makes listening, communication and adapting a treatment particularly important.
Reflexology cannot cure fibromyalgia or replace medical care. However, some people living with the condition choose reflexology as a complementary therapy and value the opportunity to experience gentle, individualised touch in a calm and comfortable environment.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia affects the way the nervous system processes pain and other sensory information. This can result in widespread pain and increased sensitivity throughout the body.
Symptoms vary considerably between individuals and can fluctuate over time. Someone may have relatively manageable days followed by periods when their symptoms become considerably more noticeable.
Common symptoms can include:
- widespread pain or tenderness
- increased sensitivity to touch
- fatigue
- difficulty sleeping or waking without feeling refreshed
- muscle stiffness
- headaches
- problems with concentration and memory, sometimes called ‘fibro-fog’
- digestive symptoms.
Fibromyalgia can affect people very differently, so somebody else’s experience of the condition may bear little resemblance to your own.
Diagnosis and Treatment
There is no single test that can diagnose fibromyalgia. A GP or specialist will consider a person’s symptoms and may carry out investigations to rule out other possible causes.
Treatment and management are individual and may involve a combination of approaches. These can include appropriate physical activity, psychological therapies, medication and strategies for managing sleep, pain and everyday activities.
Anyone receiving treatment for fibromyalgia should continue to follow the advice of their healthcare professionals.
Why Touch Needs to Be Individual
There is no pressure level that is automatically ‘right’ for reflexology.
This is particularly important when working with somebody who has fibromyalgia.
Some people enjoy relatively firm pressure on their feet. Others may find a much gentler touch more comfortable, particularly during a period when their sensitivity is heightened.
I don’t believe that reflexology needs to hurt to be effective as a relaxing complementary therapy. I adjust the pressure throughout a session according to the individual, and you can always tell me if you would like more or less pressure.
How you feel on the day matters more than following a predetermined routine.
Reflexology, Rest and Relaxation
Living with persistent pain or fatigue can make genuine periods of rest particularly valuable.
During a reflexology session, I work across the feet using pressure adapted to your comfort. Reflexology traditionally associates different areas of the feet with different parts of the body, but the purpose of the treatment is not to diagnose or treat the underlying mechanisms responsible for fibromyalgia.
Instead, the session provides dedicated time to slow down and relax.
You don’t need to talk throughout the treatment or concentrate on anything. You can listen to relaxing music, remain quiet, chat if you feel like it or simply close your eyes.
When Every Day Can Feel Different
One of the important things about fibromyalgia is that yesterday’s comfortable treatment may not necessarily be appropriate today.
If you’re particularly tired, sensitive or uncomfortable, I can adapt the session accordingly. That may mean lighter pressure, changing your position or simply taking things more slowly.
A complementary treatment should respond to how you’re feeling rather than expecting your body to conform to the treatment.
Mobile Reflexology and Fibromyalgia in London
Having reflexology at home can be particularly convenient when you’re experiencing fatigue, widespread discomfort or increased sensitivity.
Rather than travelling across London to a clinic and then making the journey home afterwards, I travel to you.
I provide mobile reflexology throughout London in clients’ homes, allowing the treatment to take place somewhere familiar and comfortable. Afterwards, you can continue resting without having to face public transport, traffic or another journey.
If you’re living with fibromyalgia and would like to consider reflexology as part of your wider approach to wellbeing, you’re welcome to contact me to ask questions or arrange a mobile session.
