Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection
448
Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection
448eBook
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Overview
• Reveals how to deal with each disorder and how treatments can interact or aggravate if more than one disorder is present
• Offers techniques to dispel the side effects created by these illnesses
Fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome are often seen as interchangeable conditions, a belief held even by many health care providers. Nothing could be further from the truth--however, they do often coexist. Knowing if more than one of these disorders is present is extremely important because the treatment for one of them can often exacerbate the problems caused by the others.
Written by a registered nurse and a psychologist who has been treating these conditions since 1994, this book presents an integrative medical approach to these three disorders with a strong emphasis on utilizing and strengthening the mind-body connection to restore well-being. The authors provide a thorough guide to numerous treatment options--from diet, exercise, and herbs to mindfulness meditation, chi kung, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They also offer techniques to dispel the “brain fog” that these disorders often create and show how to overcome the resultant obstacles to effectively communicating with your doctor. The additional information included on the psychological issues that accompany these chronic pain disorders allows this integrative treatment guide to open the door not only to physical recovery but also emotional and mental well-being.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781594779596 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Inner Traditions/Bear & Company |
| Publication date: | 02/05/2010 |
| Sold by: | SIMON & SCHUSTER |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 448 |
| File size: | 2 MB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Chapter 4
Mind over Matter
“Freedom from pain should be a basic human right limited only by our ability to achieve it.”
Arthur Lipman, Pharm.D. (Speaker at the November 2001 American College of Rheumatology Symposium)
Chronic pain, regardless of the origin, affects a person’s whole being in one aspect or another. Learning what one can do to be emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually complete will result in an amazing outcome.
My Body is Matter and it Matters--Treatment
The pain of FM and CFID is thought to be central pain associated with a messaging problem in the central nervous system. The origin of pain in Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) is related to “trigger points” in the muscles.
Pain intolerance happens when you are bombarded by painful stimuli or impulses. As a result, your other body systems start to break down. Severe pain can become so extreme that it causes vomiting, or can cause total decompression, losing all defense mechanisms and touch with reality. Chronic pain can be life threatening when it reaches proportions of great magnitude.
Treatments for FM, CFID, and CMP may not totally eradicate the pain, but there are approaches that can help decrease the severity of their pain to a tolerable level.
Supplements, Herbs, and Vitamins
Buyer beware! There are many claims that supplements can cure FM and CFID. If this were the case, those two disorders would not be in this book. Experimenting with supplements can be a very costly venture; however, some people do report some benefits from their use. Therefore, as long as people claim a benefit from supplements, herbs, and vitamins, others will try them as well. We tend to listen to anyone reporting good news on treating chronic pain.
There are some dos and don’ts in trying over the-counter (OTC) herbs and supplements. Avoid combination remedies to enable your assessment of the exact ingredient. Be alert, these remedies are not regulated by the FDA and safe doses and interactions have not been studied sufficiently. They may have unwanted side affects or could be potentially dangerous to you.
Herbal remedy users are not as knowledgeable about these products as they should be. I would suggest speaking with your physician and pharmacist first. Quite honestly, I have found only one to be beneficial, and it has helped me with one of my coexisting conditions rather than the FM, CFID, or CMP. I have, however, heard testimony from some of my online-support friends to the contrary. Remember, we are all unique, have different reactions to different medications, and have different coexisting conditions.
Hints for safe use of supplements, herbs, and vitamins:
- Read labels for content, storage, guidelines, and dosage.
- Research and ask questions regarding purity and potency. Also, keep in mind that dosages commonly suggested have not necessarily been tested. Manufacturers are not required to meet FDA guidelines.
- As with any medication, if you develop hives or wheezing after taking any herbs or supplements, get immediate medical help.
- Don’t take unnecessary risks. If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, on chemotherapy, undergoing surgical procedures, have other underlying health issues, or take other medications, discuss your use of OTC medications, herbs, and supplements with everyone who needs to know. Make sure your pharmacist has a complete up to-date list of all your medications including any OTC preparations you use.
An excellent resource for checking doses, interactions, and safety for the use of herbs, vitamins, and other supplements is http://www.wholehealthmd.com.
Acceptance
Acceptance is one of the steps in the grieving process that can have a profound affect on the way we look at our illnesses. When we reach this level of coping with our losses, then we can move on. In a study done by Viane, et al., the researchers found evidence that “acceptance of pain is an independent predictor of mental well-being in patients with chronic pain.” The conclusions of their study showed that once chronic-pain patients accept their pain and the fact that it might not change, they can and do shift away from “pain to non-pain aspects of life.”
Pain-Management Therapies
There are two important questions to ask regarding therapies; number one, “How you do them?” and number two, “Which one is right fit for you?” A valuable therapy is one that fits your personality and your individual needs. If it feels right, you are more likely to stick to it and thereby reap the benefits.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapeutic approach using strategically inserted needles to unblock healing energy. This energy circulates through the body in predetermined meridians. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate release of chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either change the perception of pain or release other chemicals that influence the body’s ability to create a system of checks and balances. There has been reported success in the use of acupuncture for the treatment of illness, chronic disorders, and pain.
True acupuncture using meridians may not benefit people with CMP; however, if the technique is used to treat trigger points specifically, acupuncture may be beneficial. The conduction of electromagnetic signals are relayed faster with acupuncture and are believed to initiate the flow of pain-killing body chemicals, endorphins. The signal calls for a faster response from the immune system when cells are damaged due to injury or disease.
Studies have shown that there are changes in brain chemistry and that sensation and involuntary body functions occur because of the release of neuro\transmitters and neurohormones during acupuncture. It has the potential to affect immune reactions, blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature. It has been helpful in treating some patients with FM.
One study using a SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) scan detected changes in cerebral blood flow associated with pain. The scan also recorded that acupuncture analgesia is associated with changes in the activity of the frontal lobes, brain stem, and thalami. The results of studies like this are promising.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Devin J. StarlanylPreface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Fibromyalgia Pain, Chronic Fatigue Immunodysfunction, and Chronic Myofascial Pain from Trigger Points
All about Fibromyalgia
Summary Exercise: FM
Chronic Fatigue Immunodysfunction--The Muster to Master
Summary Exercise: CFID
Chronic Myofascial Pain--Nerve to Muscle
Summary Exercise: CMP
Chapter Summary: FM/CMP–FM/CFID--Is It a Double Cross?
Glossary of Terms Introduced in Chapter 1 that Describe Pain
2 Communicating Your Health Care Needs
Relating Your Symptoms and Health History
Identifying Aggravating and Alleviating Factors
Coexisting Conditions
Communicating with Your Physician and Other Health Care Providers
Summary Exercise: Clear Expressions
Useful Tools for Communicating with Health Care Providers
Medication Log
Symptom Inventory Sheet
Anatomical Diagram of Pain
Health History Log
3 Dialogues Within and Without
Journal Writing: An Internal Dialogue
Soliciting the Support You Need
Sample Letter Soliciting Support
Relationships: Having Them, Keeping Them, and Knowing When to Let Them Go
Advocacy--A Constructive Way to Vent
Summary Exercise: Reaction to Interaction
Useful Tools for Inner and Outer Self-Expression
A Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Tips for Expressing Your Feelings through Poetry
Interactive Pain/Energy Meter
It Takes Two to Tango: Rules for Possibly the Most Important Date in Your Relationship
Sample Advocacy Letter
4 My Body Is Matter and It Matters
Understanding and Treating Pain
Managing Your Diet
Exercise--Use It or Lose It
Bodywork--Toiling over the Anatomy
Medical Specialists and Therapists
Health and Functionality Therapists
Chapter Conclusion
Summary Exercise: Exercising Your Options
Useful Tools for a Healthy Lifestyle
Diet Assessment Guide
Stretches for Every Part of Your Body
5 The Power of Mind, Body, and Spirit
Depression--Overcoming the Doldrums
Spirituality
Accepting What Is
Other Paths
Chapter Conclusion
Summary Exercise: Expanding Your Options
Useful Tools for Connecting with Your Spiritual Center
Breathing Meditation for People with FM, CFID, and CMP
Guided Meditation for Healing
New Thoughts on Insomnia
6 Dealing with Circuit Overload
Brain Fog--Symptoms of Blowout before a Power Failure
Time Management--An Exercise in Energy Conservation
Crisis Management--Dealing with Major Life Events
Chapter Conclusion
Summary Exercise: Unloading the Gray Matter
7 Aproaching the System Systematically
The ADA and the EEOC
Social Security Disability Determination
Patient Rights
Miscellaneous Programs and Help
Confidentiality and HIPAA
Chapter Conclusion
Useful Tools for Navigating the Health Care System
Interaction Worksheet for Important Calls and Meetings
Treating Health Care Provider Log
Chronological Health Record
Table for Determining Disability Status for Those Limited to Sedentary Work
Table for Determining Disability Status for Those Capable of Light Physical Work
Epilogue
Resources for Maximizing Health Care, Relationships, and Emotional Well-being
Glossary of Acronyms
Notes
About the Authors
Index
What People are Saying About This
“. . . very comprehensive and I highly recommend it for anyone searching for a balanced approach for the treatment of these diseases.”
“This integrative holistic approach to these conditions is what is needed throughout medicine today. Empowering us to become part of our own health and healing process is such a powerful approach to these conditions or any others. I applaud the authors, and hope they inspire others to follow their lead.”
“Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, and chronic myofascial pain are the most common illnesses of modern society. I have worked full time in this area since I was trained by Travell and Simons in 1988. This book is not only an easy-to-use self-help book for patients but also an essential reference for any health care practitioner wanting to treat the cause of illness, rather than treat the symptoms. It is totally comprehensive and carries the passion and healing energy of the authors in every page. This is the basis of the medicine of the twenty-first century.”