Did you know massage improves fibromyalgia symptoms?

This study looked at the benefit of massage for patients with fibromyalgia. The results were that myofascial release improves many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Different types of therapy had different benefits: myofascial release improves fatigue, stiffness and quality of life; connective tissue massage improves depression and quality of life; manual lymphatic drainage is superior to connective tissue massage regarding stiffness, depression and quality of life; Shiatsu improves pain, pressure pain threshold, fatigue, sleep and quality of life; Swedish massage does not improve outcomes.

The Research

Man Ther. 2015 Apr;20(2):257-64. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2014.09.003. Epub 2014 Oct 5.

Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yuan SL¹, Matsutani LA², Marques AP².

Author information:

 ¹University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, Rua Cipotanea, 51 – Cidade Universitaria, CEP: 05360-160 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: susanlkyuan@yahoo.com.br.

 ²University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, Rua Cipotanea, 51 – Cidade Universitaria, CEP: 05360-160 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Abstract

The systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage in fibromyalgia. An electronic search was conducted at MEDLINE, SCiELO, EMBASE, ISI, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL and LILACS (Jan 1990-May 2013). Ten randomized and non-randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of massage alone on symptoms and health-related quality of life of adult patients with fibromyalgia were included. Two reviewers independently screened records, examined full-text reports for compliance with the eligibility criteria, and extracted data. Meta-analysis (pooled from 145 participants) shows that myofascial release had large, positive effects on pain and medium effects on anxiety and depression at the end of treatment, in contrast with placebo; effects on pain and depression were maintained in the medium and short term, respectively. Narrative analysis suggests that: myofascial release also improves fatigue, stiffness and quality of life; connective tissue massage improves depression and quality of life; manual lymphatic drainage is superior to connective tissue massage regarding stiffness, depression and quality of life; Shiatsu improves pain, pressure pain threshold, fatigue, sleep and quality of life; and Swedish massage does not improve outcomes. There is moderate evidence that myofascial release is beneficial for fibromyalgia symptoms. Limited evidence supports the application of connective tissue massage and Shiatsu. Manual lymphatic drainage may be superior to connective tissue massage, and Swedish massage may have no effects. Overall, most styles of massage therapy consistently improved the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients.