Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

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Muscles & Bones
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ASTYM anyone?

milily
milily
My physical therapist wants to try ASTYM treatments to my arms and I am extremely reluctant to allow her to do it. I tried it 4 or 5 years ago on my left leg one time and I ended up in bed in agony for days. They were gentle with the treatment and when I called them regarding my awful response to the ASTYM they were surprised and said they never had someone have that bad of a reaction to it. So, I am not sure if it is the fibromyalgia that caused me to have such an awful response . My guess would be yes because just getting my blood pressure taken or blood drawn is so painful for me. Has anyone tried ASTYM and how did you do with it?
LeoX3
LeoX3
Never even heard of it, and it sounds like I don't want to. I'd go with your gut, Milly, if it says, No, then No. Aversion to a painful therapy is actually very common. Therapists just don't admit it. I cannot survive, nor never could survive, "knee alignments" of any kind. I'd be limping for a week, in tears off and on, and my knee swelled like a water balloon. "Oh, well, let me try again," said PT person. I said, "You want me to test this knee on you?" and they got the hint. And fired me as a patient, but seriously, no loss.

Sorry to ramble, just Solidarity Is Here! Whatever you choose.
beclinkay
beclinkay
I've never heard of this therapy either. It doesn't sound good, whatever it is. Extra pain is not something we need. That's for sure. Give a lot of thought to it first. Sorry you are in so much pain.
Shakota6
Shakota6
I looked at the ASTYM website but couldn't find out much about how it works, if electricity is generated (I would guess so).

I've had neuro-stim to the muscles around my knee for osteo-arthritis and that was ok (although medicare didn't pay them for it) but if it were a painful area, I am sure it would have been a disaster.

I've had acupuncture in my painful upper back and that was a disaster.

You could: try one session to see if you tolerate it (and wait several days). Or just skip it.