Women's Health Week: Fighting Fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

Women's Health Week: Fighting Fibromyalgia

 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread

musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. " Tender

points " refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas,

particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with

this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning

stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.

 

According to the American College of Rheumatology, it's estimated

that 3 million to 6 million Americans are living with this

musculoskeletal disorder two thirds of them women, most of them white

and most between 20 and 60 years old when first affected.

 

The Merck Manual defines Fibromyalgia as used to describe several

related disorders. Various alternative terms for these disorders have

been used, including generalized fibromyalgia, which is 7 times more

common in women than in men, the pain and stiffness are widespread,

occurring throughout the body. Primary fibromyalgia syndrome is the

most common variation of generalized fibromyalgia; it usually occurs

in young or middle-aged women who have no associated or contributing

underlying disorder. Secondary fibromyalgia syndrome is a type of

generalized fibromyalgia and refers to fibromyalgia symptoms in a

person who has another underlying disorder that is causing the

fibromyalgia symptoms, such as hypothyroidism. Other disorders, such

as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, may be

associated with fibromyalgia, but may not be the underlying cause.

 

Localized fibromyalgia expresses as pain and stiffness occurring in a

particular area, or at a few sites, such as the jaw, neck, and/or

shoulder muscles. Localized fibromyalgia is somewhat more likely to

occur in men, possibly because they are more likely to engage in more

physically muscular activities in occupational or sports situations.

Sometimes, localized fibromyalgia gradually spreads to become

generalized fibromyalgia. Myofascial pain syndrome is a type of

localized or regional fibromyalgia, which may occur in various sites

and differentiated as temporomandibular type and myofascial pain

syndrome. Previously, these disorders were collectively called

fibrositis or fibromyositis syndromes, but because inflammation is

not present, the " itis " suffix was dropped.

 

Often considered the " garbage pail diagnosis " , the term fibromyalgia

is used when doctors often do not know how to categorize or quantify

these combinations of symptoms. There is no firm physical evidence of

disease that can be detected by blood tests or X rays. Doctors

diagnose fibromyalgia by testing 18 tender points, starting between

the shoulders. People complain they are tender all over the body, but

these areas, all where muscles attach to ligaments or bones, tend to

have pain with just the pressure of a thumb.

 

Symptoms that seem to be associated with fibromyalgia include

irritable bowel syndrome, headaches with facial pain, heightened

sensitivity, chronic fatigue and insomnia. Anxiety is a common

problem in fibromyalgia and contributes to pain, muscle tension, and

irritability. It can make depression and insomnia worse.

 

Finding Balance: in a modern society we tend to " burn the candle at

both ends " . There MUST be a proper balance in the amount of work that

we do, in the amount of sleep we have in the foods that we enjoy and

in the amount of " down time " we give ourselves.

 

Excessive Work: can drain the very core of our energy. Today, if you

are not working for a company who is placing high demands on your

time, health and relationships, then you have your own business,

which often has no boundaries when it comes to building and

maintaining your dream.

 

Improper Diet: can be a nutrition zapper that robs the body of proper

vitamins, mineral and sufficient amino acids that are important for

energy product. A balance of fresh vegetables, complexed carbs, whole

grain, as well as, fruits, nuts, seeds and protein are very important

for maintaining proper energy levels.

 

Poor Assimilation. Difficulties with the digestive tract such as

thirst, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux are symptoms of

poor assimilation of food. The delicate balance of our digestive

system can affect our whole system in so many ways.

 

Lack of Exercise: is a major problem in fatigue syndromes. Regular

exercise builds stamina that can help anyone battle stress. But even

something as casual as a walk around the block can help you burn off

some of the tension that you carrying around. Stretching is a great

tension reducer.

 

Poor Sleep Habits: can drain us of a good day full of vital energy.

Overthinking, anxiety and a racing mind are all issues that cause

difficulty in falling asleep and/or difficulty staying asleep.

 

Dehydration: is a hidden issue that is seldom realized. Thirst is one

indicator of dehydration, but it is not an early warning sign. By the

time you feel thirsty, you might already be dehydrated. Other

symptoms of dehydration include feeling dizzy and lightheaded, having

a dry or sticky mouth, producing less urine and darker urine. As the

condition progresses, a person will start to feel much sicker as more

body systems (or organs) are affected by the dehydration.

 

Poor Elimination results when food moves too slowly through the

gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Poor elimination is usually diagnosed

when bowel movements occur fewer than three times per week on an

ongoing basis. Other signs occur when the stool is hard, dry or there

is excessive straining. The stool can often be described as " rabbit

pellets " or like " toothpaste squeezed from the tube " . Sometimes it is

painful to pass. Sometimes the patient does not feel complete after a

bowel movement.

 

 

Tips For Improving Fibromylagia

 

1.Start with a heathy detox: Detoxifying is the process of releasing

accumulated toxins and waste products that build up throughout our

system. Our body does much of the detoxification process through

urination, defecation and perspiration. As our bodies age and our

immune systems weaken from illness, poor diet and/or addictive

substances, we sometimes need to give our system an extra helping

hand. That is why conscious detoxing is a great way back to optimum

health.

 

2. Get body work done: Touch Therapy have shown the best results in

studies on fibromyalgia. Massage therapy decreased the effects of

anxiety, tension, depression and pain. Massage strengthens the immune

system, treats musculoskeletal problems, reduces blood pressure,

helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain.

Massage therapy promotes deeper and easier breathing, improves

circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids. Osteopathic or

chiropractic treatments are recommended to relieve any pressures that

may be hindering circulation and decreasing eliminations. This is

vital , your spine and its nerve pathways can have an enormous

influence on how you feel and the functioning of your body.

 

3. Have acupuncture: Acupuncture has been shown to be the second best

in reviewed studies. Revealing that acupuncture is a therapeutic

modality that has shown good benefits in the outcome measurements of

pain relief for fibromyalgia. Electroacupuncture had shown even

greater results with pain threshold, regional pain scoring and sleep

quality. A combination of both high frequencies, associated with

serotonin release - short-term effects and low frequencies,

associated with endorphin release - cumulative effects is optimal for

pain relief. See someone who practices TCM (Traditional ), which

combines both acupuncture and herbs. Often with the added use of herbal formulas

there is a more sustained response. Another technique which may prolong a

beneficial response is the use of magnets or stimulating beads taped over some

of the acupuncture points.

 

4. Start exercising: Exercise conditioning and stretching can improve

certain pains with stretching such as painful, stiff muscles and

joints by increasing blood flow to these areas. Walking and weight

baring exercises are beneficial for improving strength , bone density

and circulation. Restoring movement and normal function to an injured

area is critical. Learn to stretch to improve your flexibility.

 

5. Rework your diet: A diet consisting mainly of plant based foods

like fruits and non-night shade (tomatoes, potatoes...) vegetables

have shown great results with those suffering from fibromyalgia.

Avoiding fried foods and refined carbohydrates are a must.

 

6. Work with herbal remedies: There are great herbal solutions to

relieving pain naturally, improving circulation, elimination and

assimilation. There are great herbs to help you sleep and regulate

your entire body system.

 

7. Take additional vitamins and minerals: Deficiencies of vitamins

and minerals in our diets have proven to be the culprit of much pain

and suffering. We often do not get enough of the required amounts of

calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc and essential fatty acids.

 

8. Add " common scents " into your life: Many essential oils help to

reduce stress, a major contributor of fibromyalgia. Soothing

aromatherapy baths and massages can help to ease muscle and joint

pain.

 

9. Look at your attitudes and emotions: The mental and emotional

aspects of healing have a direct connection between you and what you

are experiencing. A positive mental and emotional attitude and can be

created and maintained by focusing on your purpose for being healed.

 

10. View your lifestyle: If illness is not the cause of your

fibromyalgia, then it is a lifestyle issue. Are you creating

unnecessary stress for yourself? Are there ongoing problems in your

life that may be causing prolonged anxiety or depression? Consider

counseling or talking about your issues with family, career personal

or your doctor. Find the issues that are taking you away from a

vital, energetic life! Bring some spiritual healing into your life.

 

 

The Collagen Connection

 

Nutrition and diet should be utilized to reduce inflammation.

 

Exclude polyunsaturated vegetable oils and sources of trans-fatty

acids such as margarine and hydrogenated oils from your diet.

 

Add gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, from black currant oil or evening

primrose oil, 500 milligrams twice a day) and omega-3 fatty acids

from sardines (two to three servings a week)

 

Add Flax seeds, one to two tablespoons a day, sprinkled over food.

 

There is some research suggesting that there is a disorder of collagen

metabolism in fibromyalgia patients. (See research below). Perhaps

this is why Calorad appears to be helpful in some fibromyalgia patients. You may

want to try the product for two to three months. If you haven't noticed a

dramatic change in that time frame it's probably not worth continuing to spend

the money for this

product. Also you might check at the local health food store to see

if they have a comparable product that is less costly.

 

RESEARCH

 

Abstract: Collagen and muscle pathology in fibromyalgia patients

 

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2003 Jul 16 [Epub ahead of print]. Gronemann

ST, Ribel-Madsen S, Bartels EM, Danneskiold-Samsoe B, Bliddal H. The

Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Frederiksberg Hospital, H:S

University Hospital.

 

OBJECTIVE: To measure collagen concentration and search for muscle

pathology in muscle non-tender-point areas from fibromyalgia (FM) patients.

 

RESULTS: The FM patients had lower hydroxyproline and lower total

concentration of the major amino acids of collagen than the controls. No

significant difference was seen in the concentration of the major amino acids of

myosin or of total protein. Electron microscopy showed no significant

differences between FM patients and controls although atrophied muscle fibrils

occurred in FM patients only, but frequencies were not significantly different.

 

CONCLUSION: Fibromyalgia patients had a significantly lower amount of

intramuscular collagen. This may lower the threshold for muscle micro-

injury and thereby result in non-specific signs of muscle pathology.

 

 

I want to stress again, that what may not work for someone else, may

just work for you! The healing process is as individualized as we are.

Experimentation with different modalities or combinations there of, can be the

key to unlock the healing mechanism inside.

 

Discover more nutritional advise, exercise, aromatherapy, emotional

remedies and more for dealing with fibromyalgia:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/fibromyalgia.htm

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit