Fibro Massage as a method of treatment
Two projects/ studies performed by the health authorities in two different areas and based on more than 1500 treatments, are the base for Fibro Massage as a method of treatment. The massage, done by strokes and different hand grips is individually adjusted for each patient. The patient and the therapist must work closely together to get a good result. All patients are given treatment twice a week, one treatment taking around one hour, making it a total of 14 hours of treatment.
All the 71 patients that took part in the project found that the fibro massage helped. After less than two months in the project, a significant reduction of symptoms like emotional reactions, lack of energy, immovability, sleeping problems, pain and social isolation had been reduced.
Some patients showed improvement even after five to six treatments, while some needed ten to eleven treatments to reach the same level of result. It is important to give all patients the time they need. The massage shall be seen as a complement other treatments. This helps the rehabilitation team (Physician, physiotherapist, social worker, occupational therapist and dietician) get closer to the primary goal, which is to increase the physical and physiological strength of the patient.
Training course
Once a week (2h) the patients have participated in a training course. They have been given information about how muscles are built and how they work. When it comes to stretching and gymnastic exercises, each person?s condition and capability are taken into account. Stretching, especially, has been a big problem, since the pain often gets worse.
Psychological training has also been on the agenda. It has been based on a cassette and a book by Fil Dr. Lars-Eric Unestċhl. The patients here have practiced in groups, both physical and psychological relaxation. They have also been doing exercises and relaxation techniques at home everyday. Knowledge has also been imparted to relatives, who have been trained in the basic massage grips to be able to take an active part in the rehabilitation process.
This has been deeply appreciated, since it is easy to feel helpless, when a person close to you is suffering from chronic pain syndrome. To make sure that one gets the correct and enough nutrition, everybody has been given advice from a dietician, and been given extra vitamins and minerals in tablet form.