Suffering and Relaxing: The Experience of Three Women with Fibromyalgia Receiving Therapeutic Touch

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a potentially debilitating disease characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, and depression. The purpose of this research project was to describe the effects of Therapeutic Touch, an alternative therapy, on the experiences of three women with fibromyalgia. The benefits of Therapeutic Touch include promoting relaxation and reducing pain. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using interviews and results were analyzed using content analysis. Participants revealed two major themes: suffering and relaxing. All three participants experienced various levels of suffering in their lives related to the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Therapeutic Touch was effective in promoting relaxation for two of the participants.