Just wondering if anyone with FM is having massage therapy and if your insurance company is covering it?

Since my FM started a little over a year ago I've only been once for a deep muscle massage which was shortly after being dx. My massage gal moved to Saudi Arabia for 3 years and I just put off finding someone else. I went through many before finding her and was heartbroken she moved. I finally found a gentleman who advertises that he works with many Fibro patients. His wife has FM and the doctors office he works out of is a female and she has FM too. I felt like I struck gold. Went to him for the first time last night and spent 3 hours on the table.
WONDERFUL...It HURT SO BAD but was a GOOD hurt. He did intensive deep muscle therapy and by the second hour I had no more excruciating burning in my neck and back. The headache I woke up with (which is everyday) also disappeared. I actually got 6 hours of undisturbed sleep last night. Can't tell you the last time that happened. I also woke by myself...no annoying alarm and did not have a headache and only had slight muscle pain. I didn't have to lay there for 20 minutes doing ever so slight stretches just to be able to get in an upright position.

He recommended that I come in every two weeks for now then in time go to once a month for the deep muscle treatment. He also did magnetic therapy and used a tuning fork(?) to send sound vibrations directly to certain pressure/pain trigger points. Out of all the doctors I have and all the medication I've taken and still take...he by far did more good in those 3 hours than any doctor has done and any medication I've taken. This is something that I want to continue but because of lack of funds I would not be able to go every two weeks. I've read where some insurance companies will pay for the treatments if a doctor prescribes it as needed treatment. A ligitimate reason versus what some would say is just a "luxury" or "pampering" treatment.

Does anyone have any experience with insurance coverage and massage therapy? If so, how did you go about getting your insurance to cover it.

Thanks!

I've been wondering the same thing myself. I have seen ads in my newspaper stating that they accept insurance. However since my insurance is an HMO, of course they won't cover it. I think that is barbaric. They would rather write a prescription to cover the symptoms that actually provide a real therapy. I've often thought that if we could get a thereaputic massage daily that it might help to correct muscle imbalances and "knots" that could provide real, lasting, relief. If you see a study on this, count me in!!

debabc,
I sure will and you do the same. My insurance is BCBS PPO and I have not yet checked in to it but plan on this come week. I fully agree with you on the therapy. I would even be happy if they allowed once a week but do feel those of us that have it real bad could benefit with daily therapy at least for a while.

Like I said...the therapist working on the knots was by far more helpful than ANY doctor or medication I have taken. Hopefully soon massage therapy will be looked upon as a valid treatment and not some "luxury" pampering for people wanting to relax. I think if they did an actual study they would find that it would save them money in the long run. I know for sure what I have cost my insurance company in this last year could provide me with daily massage therapy and still been cheaper. I wish I knew the proper procedure on how to go about changing the "old" way of thinking.

Take Care,
Belle

Well, I have Medicare and Medicaid, cheap insurances. And, the way my dr. does it is to RX for myofascial pain release. Then, Pt will do massage therapy and it goes thru, at least it has for me for once a week up to a limit, of course. So, save for the wrost times and flares. And, medicare requires you see the dr. every 30 days if going to PT. It is helpful, even if temporary. It is like having some mercy on this situation ofr alittle while. Soleil