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

Welcome

About Dr. Vana 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

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

Welcome

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

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. By' Paul A. GoIdberg M.D. D.C.

3-6 million 29% people visiting a rheumatologist 5% patients visiting a general practioner

Incidents 98% wide spread pain 85% neck pain 79% back pain 81% fatigue Irritable bowel syndrome

Diagnosis 3 months of Musculoskeletal pain Stiffness in a AM 11 of the 18 points tender Axial pain – chest or spine

18 points Reviewed 1. Occipital 2. Lower Cervical 3. Trapezial

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 DVitamin D as Fibromyalgia TreatmentBoth 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 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

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 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 Capsaicin comes from pepper plants and is

considered a natural pain reliever. It’s the active ingredient in a variety of over-the-counter 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 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 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

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 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 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 Apples contain malic acid

which have been show to help fibromyalgia.

Enjoy Omega-3s The "good fat" found in cold-water fish

and walnuts is believed to have anti-inflammatory 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 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 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 Like caffeine, sugar and white-

flour 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 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 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