Myotherapy and Shiatsu For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Jacinta's Experiences

by Jacinta
(Melbourne, Australia)

I have tried Shiatsu and Myotherapy to help ease my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms. This is my personal review...

One of my earliest and most consistently problematic symptoms has been chronic muscle pain in my upper back and neck.

For those who aren't sure, Shiatsu is a form of Japanese acupressure massage. It is based on the belief that the body comprises energy points which can become blocked or leak energy. This is directly related to your emotions as emotional instability or issues that are believed to be linked to your energy points and chakras.

Before the severe onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I found that Shiatsu was highly beneficial in balancing myself emotionally and ridding myself of the severe depression that I was experiencing.

Unfortunately though I did not find that it really alleviated my muscle pain. The pain is so deep, and of course linked to my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, that the massage made very little difference whatsoever, in fact sometimes it aggravated it.

I have also tried Myotherapy which, as I understand it, is basically muscle therapy. Myotherapy is based on really working the muscles on a deep level. From what I understand it is a purely physical therapy. First of all, I found that it was VERY painful. If you have a low threshold for pain you will hate it. The therapist worked on my back but particularly worked on the glands under my armpits (this was the intensely painful part).

Myotherapy did give me some relief from the muscle pain which lasted a few days at most. However the therapy brought on quite a severe crash and caused me to relapse and lose the progress I had made in my energy levels. I personally would not recommend it for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I have been getting Shiatsu massages for just over a year and a half, but I have also recently given up the Shiatsu too. I personally began to feel that it wasn't helping that much and I believe that it has triggered crashes as well.

I would, however, recommend Shiatsu, particularly for those who are having a hard time emotionally, but research your therapist, talk to them and make sure they understand Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (preferably find someone who has worked with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers a few times before). Also make sure that the massage is not too intense - your body needs to be treated as gently as possible.