On 31 July, Annabel travelled to Edinburgh to attend a course in myofascial release (MFR) for fibromyalgia.
The course was certified by Jing Advanced Massage Training.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterised by muscle pain, tenderness and fatigue.
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown but it is thought to be related to abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain causing an overactive nervous system. This changes the way pain messages are received in the brain.
The condition is difficult to diagnose as it is not identifiable by blood tests, x-rays or scans.
In its early stages, the symptoms of fibromyalgia are very general and appear similar to those of other conditions.
Symptoms can vary from person to person and may flare up according to stress levels, changes in the weather and physical activity. This means that no single treatment will work for everyone.
Someone suffering with fibromyalgia may need to try a variety of treatments to find a combination that suits them. This will normally be a combination of medication, massage, acupuncture and lifestyle changes.
MFR techniques can often be the missing link in the treatment fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions, such as chronic fatigue, IBS, rheumatoid arthritis and ongoing pain from accident, injury or emotional trauma.
Annabel’s course consisted of eight learning hours, 80% of which was hands-on.
Annabel is now working on including her new skills into her chronic pain treatment, as well as providing holistic and relaxation self-care techniques.
If you are struggling with fibromyalgia and would like to talk about the symptoms and possible coping techniques, please contact Annabel on annabel@svsportstherapy.com.
