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Hello,   I agree with Ron that massage therapy can be beneficial for CFIDS.  One of my former students, a Russian massage therapist, has given me a couple free massage sessions.  I told her I couldn't handle the heavy-duty massage right now because my body is in the sick & repair mode.  But one thing that was helpful was that my lymph glands were swollen & tender, and she was able to work on those so that they weren't tender to the touch anymore.   The effects are temporary, and like Ron said, a session every 7-10 days is probably needed.   One qualifier would be to watch out for massage therapists that claim to be energy-medicine practitioners.  They say they are mixing their energy with your energy or aligning your energy, whatever.  Some of these practitioners claim to have psychic powers and to be able to read energy fields .  I recent JAMA study showed these claims to be false for the 20+ practitioners who were tested.    Steve in Sacramento  <<

  One qualifier would be to watch out for massage therapists that claim to be energy-medicine practitioners.  They say they are mixing their energy with your energy or aligning your energy, whatever.  Some of these practitioners claim to have psychic powers and to be able to read energy fields .  I recent JAMA study showed these claims to be false for the 20+ practitioners who were tested. Hi All, As I remember that study was not particularly well designed in that it had to do only with whether the practitioners could detect energy fields of the researcher.  I would be much more concerned about whether the patient gets symptomatic relief.  My personal feeling about why it was accepted by JAMA and publicized is that the results fit in with traditional medical practices.  I really wonder whether it would have gotten the same acceptance if the results were reversed.  My perspective on this is not _base_d upon a belief in Therapeutic Touch (of which I'm ambivalent) but on criticism of poor research design. Evelyn

tender, and she was able to work on those so that they weren't tender to the  touch anymore.  The effects are temporary, and like Ron said, a session every  7-10 days is probably needed. Steven, Yes, due primarily to our limited ability for activity, long periods of immobility, etc...it is very important that we are able to drain (???) the lymph system

  One qualifier would be to watch out for massage therapists that claim to be energy-medicine practitioners.  They say they are mixing their energy with your energy or aligning your energy, whatever.  Some of these practitioners claim to have psychic powers and to be able to read energy fields .  I recent JAMA study showed these claims to be false for the 20+ practitioners who were tested. I think you are referring to the JAMA article on Therapeutic Touch. TT is not massage. I'm not sure your de_script_ion above is accurate. ..diane