Fibromyalgia (Stop the Suffering)

Fibromyalgia (Stop the Suffering): Massage Therapy Techniques for Chronic Pain

Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 5% of adults in North America up to 90% of them women and it is one of the most complex, frequently misunderstood conditions a massage therapist will encounter in clinical practice. Clients with fibromyalgia are not simply dealing with widespread muscle pain. They are managing fatigue, disrupted sleep, anxiety, depression, and a pattern of hypersensitivity at 18 specific pain points throughout the body. They often feel overlooked by conventional medicine and are actively seeking practitioners who understand their condition and know how to help.

This course gives you exactly that. Through evidence-based techniques drawn from neuromuscular re-education, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, mobilization, and abdominal massage, you will develop the clinical skills to provide meaningful, targeted relief not just symptom management for this growing client population.

Continuing Education Details

Course Overview

The name says it plainly: fibro means fibrous tissue (tendons and ligaments), my means muscles, and algia means pain. Fibromyalgia also referred to as fibromyitis, fibromyositis, fibrositis, or tension myalgia is a chronic condition characterized by pain in the muscles and connective tissues, amplified at 18 recognized tender points distributed across the neck, shoulders, chest, hips, knees, and elbows.

The research case for massage in fibromyalgia care is strong. Published studies demonstrate that massage therapy produces measurable improvements in sleep quality, pain levels, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and cortisol levels in fibromyalgia patients. Key findings include:

• A study published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology (Vol. 2, pp. 18–22), comparing massage to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, found that massage produced improved sleep patterns, decreased pain, reduced fatigue, fewer episodes of anxiety and depression, and decreased cortisol levels.
• The European Journal of Pain published research showing that massage relieved pain, reduced depression, and improved quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.
• The Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Vol. 3, No. 3, 1997) reported that patients receiving 30-minute massage sessions twice weekly for five weeks showed reductions in depression, pain, cortisol levels, anxiety, and stress with improvements beginning after the very first session.

This course translates that evidence into clinical technique. You will learn how to apply multiple modalities in sequence to address both the primary pain pattern and the secondary symptoms that make fibromyalgia so debilitating.

Techniques Taught in This Course

• Passive Neuromuscular Re-Education Strain/Counterstrain: A series of tension-releasing techniques demonstrated at all 18 fibromyalgia pain points. These are fully passive techniques in which the client simply receives treatment without muscular participation ideal for clients experiencing severe or acute pain.
• Active Isometric Neuromuscular Re-Education Exercises: A series of isometric and isotonic neuromuscular re-education techniques, also demonstrated at all 18 pain points. These active techniques are highly effective for releasing chronically tight muscles and are best suited for clients who are stronger and able to participate actively in treatment.
• Lymphatic Drainage at the Four Major Lymph Drainage Points: Specific pumping techniques designed to promote the flow of lymphatic fluid through the body's four major drainage points, supporting the body's natural detoxification and immune function.
• Abdominal Massage: Abdominal work stimulates peristalsis and provides a gentle, therapeutic massage to the major organs of the abdominal cavity addressing a commonly overlooked dimension of fibromyalgia care.
• Mobilizations and Passive Stretching: A structured series of passive stretches targeting the areas most commonly affected in fibromyalgia the neck, shoulders, hips, and surrounding musculature to improve mobility and reduce stiffness.
• Reflexology for PMS Relief: Scientifically supported reflexology techniques targeting PMS, a frequent and disruptive secondary symptom in the fibromyalgia population.

Note: All techniques taught in this course are also clinically useful for clients without fibromyalgia. The 18 fibromyalgia pain points correspond to some of the most common areas of tension and pain encountered in general massage therapy practice making these skills broadly applicable across your client base.

Who This Course Is For

• Licensed massage therapists who want to work more effectively with clients experiencing fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions
• Practitioners who currently have fibromyalgia clients and want structured, evidence-based techniques to improve outcomes
• Therapists interested in expanding into clinical or rehabilitative massage with a specialty focus on chronic conditions
• Any massage therapist seeking 16 NCBTMB-approved kinesthetic CEUs in a substantive, immediately applicable course

No prior experience working with fibromyalgia clients is required. This course provides thorough background on the condition alongside step-by-step technical instruction, making it appropriate for both newer practitioners and those with years of experience.

What Students Are Saying

"This is the best online training I have ever had. Thank you for creating it it far exceeded my expectations. I liked your extras on TMJ, Morton's Foot Syndrome, Reflexology for PMS, and Aromatherapy, and all the wonderful tips in the Marketing and Sales section. Your video selections were all excellent and so helpful in effectively cementing the critical concepts you were teaching. I feel a level of confidence and enthusiasm that surprises me, and I look forward to integrating all I have learned into my practice. With utmost respect and appreciation."
- Rebecca Mimms, Alexandria, Virginia

"I must say this was the most thorough, informational, and effective online class I have completed in all the time I have been licensed since 2010."
- Elyse Howard, St. Petersburg, FL

Benefits of Taking This Course

• Serve an underserved population clients with fibromyalgia are actively seeking knowledgeable therapists; this course positions you to meet that need with genuine clinical skill
• Apply techniques across your full client base the neuromuscular, lymphatic, and stretching techniques taught here are valuable for virtually any client, not just those with fibromyalgia
• Ground your work in published research speak to clients and colleagues with confidence, backed by evidence from peer-reviewed journals
• Earn 16 kinesthetic CEUs accepted by NCBTMB, AMTA, ABMP, and most state licensing boards
• Florida-approved distance learning this course counts toward required "relevant to massage therapy" hours for Florida licensees through 8/31/2025 (approval #20-798084)

Course & Certification Details

Test & Certificate: The online exam is completed through your student account at MassageCredits.com. Upon passing, your certificate of completion is available immediately for printing or download as a PDF.

CE Broker Reporting: Institute of Somatic Therapy automatically reports completions to CE Broker in applicable states, provided your license number is on file in your account. Reports are submitted weekly. To verify or add your license number, log in to your account and select "Edit" if your license is not shown. This course does not fulfill any required live or hands-on classroom hours unless specifically noted for your state.

Florida Licensees: This course is approved by Florida as a distance learning course for the required "relevant to massage therapy" category hours through 8/31/2025. Florida approval number: 20-798084. You are permitted to complete the 12 required "relevant to massage therapy" hours via approved online courses through at least 2025.

Provider Approvals: Institute of Somatic Therapy is an NCBTMB Approved Provider (#280672-00), approved by Florida (#MCE-326) and New York (#0019). Courses are also accepted by AMTA, ABMP, and most individual states. Some states limit the number of online or home-study hours permitted per renewal cycle. Please review our State Guidelines section for requirements specific to your state.

Note: CE regulations change. Your state licensing board holds you responsible for knowing the requirements that apply to your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior experience working with fibromyalgia clients?
No prior experience is required. The course provides a thorough introduction to fibromyalgia its definition, demographics, symptoms, and research base alongside step-by-step technical instruction, making it appropriate for both newer practitioners and those with years of experience.

Will these techniques be useful for clients who do not have fibromyalgia?
Absolutely. The neuromuscular re-education, lymphatic drainage, mobilization, and stretching techniques taught in this course are effective for addressing tension and pain in the neck, shoulders, hips, and other commonly affected areas making them valuable across your general client base.

Are these techniques supported by research?
Yes. The course content is grounded in evidence from peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, the European Journal of Pain, and the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. These studies document measurable improvements in pain, sleep, anxiety, depression, and cortisol levels in fibromyalgia patients receiving massage therapy.

Can I apply these techniques immediately in my practice?
Yes. The course is built for practical application. The techniques are demonstrated step by step with video instruction, and you will be ready to use them in clinical sessions as soon as you complete the course.