Fibromyalgia - to cope - or are there solutions?

Very interesting explanation Jacob!

Thank you for your words, Jacob. Yes, in my experience (and training) trauma often underlies the 'actuation' of the symptoms that are currently classed under the fibro diagnosis. It may be from an event that is long gone and the release is triggered by a high level of stress or a link to the trauma. I worked with a financial analyst whose fibro became full blown shortly after the market tanked, but who didn't draw the connection. Recognition of the 'event' and processing of it can relieve the symptoms.

The reoccurrence of pain associated with old injuries that had been long gone can be triggered in the same way. When emotions that were occurring at the time of the injury recur, the like emotions create a bridge and the physical pain is re-experienced. Releasing the emotion releases the pain.

In my experience fybromyalgia responds extremenly well to a course of reflexology sessions too.

The pain is relieved and the underlying cause of the fybromyalgia is addressed over a period of time wether it is due to emotional, physical or mental trauma. The body unravels itself in many layers which may of course mean that long buried emotions or illnesses do resurface allowing the healing process to continue. The client does not have to specifically identify the problem it happens naturally over a period of regular sessions.

Hello everyone. Isn't it fascinating how many different types bodywork or therapy can be effective in relieving symptoms for something like Fibromyalgia? The approach that I use in helping "fibro" patients is to analyze their posture and spinal structure, especially the health of their sagittal spinal curves. Since fibro is know to be caused by hyperactive nerve activity it is imperative to rehabilitate the posture and spinal structure. It is well documented in the literature that spinal cord tension is present with unhealthy structure, especially when there is a loss of the cervical lordosis and forward head posture. Without eliminating these unhealthy structural problems the nervous system will continue to be under tensile stress even if the symptoms are no longer present.

Fybro patients all seem to follow a pattern that includes a steady diet of new an often unusual health care provides that they work with. We all help some, yet I have not seen a patient with this diagnosis (and the whole story that goes with it) ever "recover." They do better, then they do worse. Then they change providers for a while, and do either better or worse, and so it goes...

I found that I help them most when I do several things: First, I have to remember that they are extremely sensitive so I need to lighten up. With the Activator Technic that mean adjusting the instrument down, and not pounding away repeatedly over a spot that I need to adjust. Because of the Activator analysis I can be very conservative and only adjust the spots that are most significant, instead of everything that might not be perfect, another advantage of a system that offers a specific joint by joint real time assessment.

The second thing is to be sensitive to them and supportive. Again, something I have had to cultivate. They need someone in their life who listens carefully and will let them talk about their process of doing whatever it is that they are doing at the time to deal with their condition. Just a dialog, not the genius with all the answers: they get that everywhere else.

Lastly, these folks, like most of our patients are near totally unconscious. Anything we can do to help them wake up will help. But that is not a conversation I am equipped to even have with most of them and certainly not something where you sent a "goal" and develop a "plan". (I may regret I even brought it up, if someone takes issue and needs to be right about their spin on it:-) The right question at the right time offered without judgement or critique can get them outside of their head for a second and spark a fresh thought that might take hold for a while and create some space between their story and there present experience of life. Just like the rest of us.

Dennis,

Thanks for adding the 'sensitivity' factor. I've found this to be especially true with those coping with fibro and also with IBS. Their whole make-up is sensitive.

In my modality, it is all about listening to them, and helping them to lead themselves ("Leading from behind"). With "sensitives" adjustments must be made to any physical approach (your activator or my tap on the forehead or shoulder). Having the office darkened by closing blinds, is also appropriate.

I'd appreciate hearing from the rest of you on your work with 'sensitives' and any other conditions that you've noticed this pattern in.