Transcript Fibromyalgia

Welcome
Fibromyalgia Workshop
A Special Workshop to Help You
Understand About Fibromyalgia. And
How you Can Participate, in Regaining
and Maintaining Your Most Vital Asset,
Your Health
About Dr. Vana
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Graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1976.
Practice for 36 Years.
3 year post graduate degree in chiropractic
Orthopedics.
3 year post graduate degree in chiropractic Radiology.
Certificate in impairment rating for permanent
injuries.
Industrial Consultant for work injury prevention.
Host for 19 years of a radio show on WOC 1420 AM
“Health Matters”
Given over 1 million adjustments
Member of the Chiropractic Golden Circle
Welcome
Eight Essentials of Good Health
Workshop
A Special Consultation to Help You
Understand What Health is. And How
you and your Family and Friends Can
Participate, in Regaining and
Maintaining Your Most Vital Asset,
Your Health
Health Throughout Your Life
“Which is better to give a man a
fish and let him eat for one day,
or teach him how to fish so he
can eat throughout his whole
life.”
Fibromyalgia
Fibro = fiber,
myo = muscles,
algos = pain, iq = condition
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Careful investigation and hard work, by both the
patient and a caring, analytic practitioner; will
usually bring about significant improvement in
the patients' condition, as long as causes,
rather than symptoms, are addressed.
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By' Paul A. GoIdberg M.D. D.C.
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3-6 million
29% people visiting a rheumatologist
5% patients visiting a general practioner
Incidents
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98% wide spread pain
85% neck pain
79% back pain
81% fatigue
Irritable bowel syndrome
Diagnosis
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3 months of Musculoskeletal pain
Stiffness in a AM
11 of the 18 points tender
Axial pain – chest or spine
18 points Reviewed
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1. Occipital
2. Lower Cervical
3. Trapezial
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The chronic pain of fibromyalgia affects
about 1 in 50 Americans. Because there is no
cure for fibromyalgia and the cause is not
understood, the quest to find the best
fibromyalgia treatment is ongoing. Many
people find fibromyalgia help through
natural treatments — about 90 percent of
those with fibromyalgia have tried some
form of them. Because there are few clinical
studies on most of these treatments, the only
way to see if any work for you is to try them.
Talk to your doctor about what might be
most appropriate for you.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D as Fibromyalgia Treatment
Both vitamin D and magnesium levels have been
found to be low in people with fibromyalgia, but as of
yet there is no evidence that taking vitamin
supplements are an effective fibromyalgia treatment.
Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, does have
some effects on nerve and muscle function, and some
studies have suggested that low levels of vitamin D
may be associated with chronic pain of fibromyalgia.
In a small clinical study published online in the
January 2012 issue of Pain Medicine, fibromyalgia
symptoms improved in 30 women after 8 weeks of
vitamin D supplementation. However, other
researchers have failed to find any association
between fibromyalgia and vitamin D levels.
Fibromyalgia Help From Acupuncture
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Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms
of treatment for chronic pain and is
based on ancient Chinese medical
practices. There have been several
studies on the usefulness of acupuncture
in fibromyalgia. Three studies support
the use of acupuncture combined with a
pulsed electric current, a treatment
called electroacupuncture. Although this
fibromyalgia treatment seems to relieve
pain, the results are not long-lasting.
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for Fibromyalgia
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Because SAMe is a naturally occurring substance
throughout the body and involved in many of the
body’s processes, its role as a pain reliever has
been studied. SAMe has been shown to relieve
depression and the chronic pain associated with
osteoarthritis. Some studies show that taking
SAMe may reduce fibromyalgia symptoms of
pain, fatigue, and stiffness. The studies supporting
the use of SAMe for fibromyalgia help are small,
and not all have found a benefit. More research is
needed. SAMe is not found in food, but can be
taken as a supplement in the form of a tablet.
Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia
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Massage therapy is another alternative
pain treatment that is one of the most
commonly tried for fibromyalgia. The
benefits of massage are hard to
demonstrate in a clinical study, but it
does seem to be helpful for many types
of muscle pain, including fibromyalgia.
Massage is generally safe. It may
certainly relieve tightness and promote
relaxation, but it is not likely to provide
any long-term fibromyalgia help.
Capsaicin Application for Fibromyalgia
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Capsaicin comes from pepper plants and is
considered a natural pain reliever. It’s the
active ingredient in a variety of over-thecounter sprays and lotions. When applied to
a painful area of the body, it stimulates the
release of a body chemical called substance
P. As substance P is depleted, the pain
sensation seems to decrease. Capsaicin has
been used for chronic pain in diabetes,
cancer, and cluster headaches. It may also
temporarily relieve fibromyalgia pain.
Biofeedback for Fibromyalgia Pain
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Biofeedback is an alternative therapy that
uses the mind-body connection to help you
learn to control your chronic pain with the
power of your mind. The feedback may
come in the form of muscle tension, skin
temperature, or brain wave measurements.
Biofeedback is helpful for many painful
conditions when it is used along with other
therapies. There are not enough good
studies to say for sure whether biofeedback
is an effective fibromyalgia treatment yet.
Chiropractic Adjustments for
Fibromyalgia Pain
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Chiropractic treatment uses spinal
adjustments and realignment to relieve
pain, improve nerve function, and
promote natural healing. Chiropractic
has been studied in many chronic pain
conditions. Most studies suggest it may
be effective for relief of back, neck, or
headache pain and fibromyalgia.
Melatonin Hormone Help for
Fibromyalgia
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Melatonin is a natural hormone found in the
body, thought to be involved in promoting
sleep. Melatonin in pill form is often used as a
sleep aid, but it has also been used for
depression, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia.
Again, the experts say there is not enough
evidence to support its use for the chronic pain
of fibromyalgia. However, many people do get
fibromyalgia help from natural and alternative
treatments despite the lack of research support.
If you want to try one of these fibromyalgia
treatments, always check with your doctor first.
Foods and Fibromyalgia
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While no magic food will prevent every
patient’s fibromyalgia flare-ups, a few
dietary improvements can make a world
of difference and may alleviate even the
most daunting symptoms. With
fibromyalgia, one of the most important
things is to improve your overall health
and well-being. Find out which foods can
offer relief — and which should be
banned from your table.
Enjoy Fruits and Vegetables
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Fruits and veggies are typically low in
calories, high in fiber, and rich in antioxidants
and phytochemicals. That’s good news for
those who are, respectively, battling obesity,
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or
autoimmune disorders — all common among
fibromyalgia patients. Plus, natural foods lack
the additives that can aggravate symptoms.
Preservatives and coloring tend to have a
negative effect on a person with
fibromyalgia, eating more natural foods is
very important.
Apples
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Apples contain malic acid
which have been show to
help fibromyalgia.
Enjoy Omega-3s
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The "good fat" found in cold-water fish
and walnuts is believed to have antiinflammatory properties, according to
Jeffrey Thompson, MD, an associate
professor of physical medicine and
rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic
College of Medicine. And while omega
3's may not offer pain relief across the
board, they’re a worthy addition to any
diet just for heart health, is not a bad
idea.
Enjoy Lean Protein
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Reducing your carb intake and
packing more protein into your
diet can keep blood glucose
levels from fluctuating, which
can trigger fatigue. One thing
we recommend is the
Mediterranean diet, because it
helps people avoid those sugar
rushes,"
Avoid Caffeine
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Fatigue is one of the most common
symptoms of fibromyalgia, but using
caffeine to combat this symptom can
actually exacerbate the problem. What
we tend to do when we get into that
exhaustion phase is self-medicate with
caffeine. You give yourself a boost, but
then you have that drop-off. Caffeine
intake can also trigger headaches and
interfere with sleep patterns, which can
further perpetuate fatigue.
Avoid Simple Carbs
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Like caffeine, sugar and whiteflour carbohydrates can provide a
temporary surge in energy
followed by a crash. Fibromyalgia
patients often experience general
hypersensitivity — and that can
translate into increased sensitivity
to blood-sugar highs and lows.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
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While reducing sugar intake can be
beneficial, you may also want to steer
clear of sweet snacks that use
aspartame or saccharine as a sugar
substitute. Anything that has a
chemical basis tends to be hard on
people with fibromyalgia. That may
seem like a double-edged sword, but
you can curb sugar cravings by
eating complex carbs or sweet
veggies like yams, squash, or carrots.
Keep a Fibromyalgia Food Diary
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The benefits of adding or avoiding specific
foods are different for everyone, so
keeping a food diary may help you to
identify your personal triggers for pain and
also which foods make you feel good. It
may be a trial-and-error process, but rest
assured that improving your diet is
unlikely to backfire. People have to realize
that it may not be an overnight fix, But by
eating healthy, you're working toward a
better quality of life because you'll be
healthier overall."
A Gift for You
Copyright © 2012 Dr. Ronald J. Farabaugh