Friday, April 20, 2007

If I Only Had a Brain...

So, sometimes I wondered if I was just losing it when I was symptomatic, now I know I was. Putting the humor aside, I thought I would post this article on the connection of fibromyalgia and gray matter loss.

Kuchinad A, Schweinhardt P, Seminowicz DA, Wood PB, Chizh BA, Bushnell MC.
McGill Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B2.

Fibromyalgia is an intractable widespread pain disorder that is most frequently diagnosed in women. It has traditionally been classified as either a musculoskeletal disease or a psychological disorder. Accumulating evidence now suggests that fibromyalgia may be associated with CNS dysfunction. In this study, we investigate anatomical changes in the brain associated with fibromyalgia. Using voxel-based morphometric analysis of magnetic resonance brain images, we examined the brains of 10 female fibromyalgia patients and 10 healthy controls. We found that fibromyalgia patients had significantly less total gray matter volume and showed a 3.3 times greater age-associated decrease in gray matter than healthy controls. The longer the individuals had had fibromyalgia, the greater the gray matter loss, with each year of fibromyalgia being equivalent to 9.5 times the loss in normal aging. In addition, fibromyalgia patients demonstrated significantly less gray matter density than healthy controls in several brain regions, including the cingulate, insular and medial frontal cortices, and parahippocampal gyri. The neuroanatomical changes that we see in fibromyalgia patients contribute additional evidence of CNS involvement in fibromyalgia. In particular, fibromyalgia appears to be associated with an acceleration of age-related changes in the very substance of the brain. Moreover, the regions in which we demonstrate objective changes may be functionally linked to core features of the disorder including affective disturbances and chronic widespread pain.

So let us know what you think about this study. To see more info on what you can do to stop the symptoms of fibromyaliga visit www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Top Strategies for Living With Fibromyalgia

3 Top Tips to Help You Live With Fibromyalgia

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia and its many devastatingly painful and sometimes debilitating symptoms, there are steps you can take to help you live a better life with Fibromyalgia. You may wonder if there is life after fibromyalgia pain, fatigue, brain fog, and other horrible symptoms of the condition. You may wonder if you will ever lead a full life again. Well, the answer is yes, let’s take a look at the three steps.

The first step is to accept your condition and not live in denial of it. If you live in denial you can’t fight it. Getting this terrible illness was not your fault and there is hope. There are steps that can help you eliminate the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Living in denial you will shortchange your opportunities to healing. Living in denial will have you neglecting the actions that you can take to fight this condition.

Another important technique to help you live with Fibromyalgia is to adjust your activity levels to the limits your body is capable of. What I mean by this is you don’t want to be out training for a marathon when you are in pain or fatigued. Accepting your limitations can equate to setting priorities. Pacing is a term that is used often when dealing with chronic conditions. Pacing ourselves within our limitations so that we don’t throw ourselves into complete exhaustion. Prioritizing what must get done with our wants. Ruling out what we don’t have to do will help us reserve strength and wellness for the activities that are important. We gain a sense of wellness when we live within our limits. Try embracing the idea that it’s okay to have to adapt your life to this illness, all the while knowing, you can take steps to eliminating the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

One of the most important tips I can offer you is to create a support system. Chronic illnesses can be isolating and depression can set in. Having a support system of people who care about you and are willing to help you is crucial in people with Fibromyalgia. One word of caution when seeking out a support system, know that not everyone will understand. Chronic illness is hard for some people to grasp and be compassionate about. Don’t set high expectations on everyone you know. However, keep in mind you will need support and take it when offered to you.

Keep an optimistic attitude and educate yourself. Arming yourself with a positive attitude along with educating yourself about everything regarding this condition can open countless doors that can aid you in your recovery.

Finally, one other thing you can do to help you through this in the best possible way is to rest. Get plenty of rest whenever you can. Even if you can’t sleep make sure your body gets plenty of rest. When your body is asking for rest, give it the rest it needs. It’s much easier to rest when needed than playing catch up when you are exhausted. If you overdo it and don’t get needed rest, you may find yourself in bed for hours and hours.

Living with Fibromyalgia can be hopeful and full of life when incorporating these simple life strategies. When implementing these you will allow yourself the opportunities to begin healing. You can take back your life and have joy again, even with Fibromyalgia. At ridfibromyalgia.com you can find strategies that can help you completely eliminate your fibromyalgia symptoms and take back your life.

If you are tire of living with fibromyalgia and are ready to start living symptom free visit our site at www.ridfibromyalgia.com and see how you can eliminate your symptoms for good.

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Top Natural Treatments for Fibromyalgia That Work

Found an article that talks about a lot of these top natural techniques to fight fibromyalgia. I put some of the important snippits here. For the complete way to healing through natural treatments see http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

Acupuncture
This stems from the Chinese philosophy of energy flowing in the meridians that lie below the skin. Energy imbalances in these meridians is used for the diagnosis of disease. Acupuncturists insert very fine needles into the skin to balance energy as in fibromyalgia pain treatment.

Chiropractor
Chiropractic treatment is based on the premise that restricted movement in the spine may lead to reduced function and pain. Spinal adjustment (manipulation) is one form of therapy a chiropractor uses to treat restricted spinal mobility.

A natural Fibromyalgia Treatment and balanced fibromyalgia nutrition diet can be helpful in counteracting stress, removing toxins from the body, and restoring the natural balance of nutrients.

Homeopathy medicine, FIBRO-HELP products, help patients by combatting stress, replacing deficiencies, and supporting the immune system. Patients are recommended to limit the amount of sugar; caffeine; alcohol; and fried, processed, fatty foods consumed.

Exercise
Fibromyalgia Exercise is one of the most powerful remedies in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Increasing scientific evidence has shown that exercising for a minimum of 20 minutes per day will help fibromyalgia patients as a natural fibromyalgia treatment.

Massage Therapy
Massage involves the use of different manipulative techniques to move the body's muscles and soft tissues. Massage Therapy aims to improve circulation in the muscle, increasing the flow of nutrients, eliminating waste products.

Self Care
Self Care is critical in the treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Some important tips for self care: • Reduce Stress - Avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress.

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle - Eat a balanced diet, limit caffeine and alcohol intake, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and do a leisure activity which is enjoyable and fulfilling and get your sleep.

Monday, March 26, 2007

I've been accused of....

Okay, so someone sent me an email saying all I want to do is make money off of people's sicknesses. Her name was nurse Mary, I think she is a myspacer. Anyway, I told her how I think that she is wrong considering the fact that all of the information that I offer is researched, updated and most of it is offered on our site completely free. People are welcome to sign up for our free newsletter with healing tips, or read one of our many free articles found at www.ridfibromyalgia.com/how.html.

I guess I am a little offended because people are so worried about being scammed. Our site offers a book for 27.00 that is money back guaranteed so that you can't be scammed. If the book does not help, then ask for a refund. If it does help then you are getting way more of a value than the meesly 27.00 it asks for. It helped me and I hope that it helps others. Chiropractor's office visits are much more than this and offer a lot less. Now onto this weeks article...

To see our article on how cupping therapy helps fm sufferers visit www.ridfibromyalgia.com/how.html. It talks about the benefits of this ancient chinese practice and you may want to look up more information on it. Best of luck to you and your health.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Have Been Saying So...Now Validated

I've been talking about a comprehensive natural healing plan for fibromyalgia and now it's being validated left and right through studies.

This was on pubmed 3/1...
Thought you would like to see it.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal pain of diffuse origin affects many, and at a significant cost. Evidence-based guidelines for therapeutic interventions are presented and exemplified.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 200 patients with chronic myofascial pain and/or fibromyalgia who participated in a 4-week multidimensional rehabilitation programme, were included in the study. The programme included education and pain management in a cognitive setting, various forms of aerobic exercises, myofascial pain treatment, relaxation and medication as needed. The patients filled in questionnaires on arrival, at follow-up after six and 12-months and at discharge. They completed visual analogue scales (pain, fatigue, sleep problems, depression), the Nottingham Health Profile, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, global subjective improvement, and during the follow-up period also the physical activity level, changes in quality of life and occupational workload. Work capacity, a tender point count and whether patients met the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia were assessed at baseline and at discharge.

RESULTS: Significant improvements were seen in all variables throughout the follow-up period. 30 % of the fibromyalgia patients no longer met the diagnostic criteria at discharge. There was a significant increase in quality of life over time. After one year, more patients had returned to work and fewer were off sick, but there was also an increased number on disability pensions. The majority did exercise training on a regular basis.

INTERPRETATION: Our findings confirm the existing evidence-based guidelines by showing that multidimensional rehabilitation is an effective intervention for patients with widespread chronic pain. It is a challenge for health politicians to change today's common practice towards that described in evidence-based guidelines.
PMID: 17332816 [PubMed - in process]

For more info on how to incorporate this comprehensive Fibromyalgia healing plan visit www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Highly Used Treatment Options for FM Sufferers

These are some of the most common treatment options used in fibromyalgia sufferers.

Acupuncture- Acupuncture stems from the Chinese philosophy of energy flowing in the meridians that lie below the skin. Energy imbalances in these meridians is used for the diagnosis of disease. Acupuncturists insert very fine needles into the skin to balance energy as in fibromyalgia pain treatment. Acupuncture is often used to help control pain and is beneficial for pain management in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Chiropractic treatment-based on the premise that restricted movement in the spine may lead to reduced function and pain. Spinal adjustment (manipulation) is one form of therapy a chiropractor uses to treat restricted spinal mobility. The goal is to restore spinal movement and, as a result, improve function, decreasing pain. Manipulation does not need to be forceful to be effective. A Chiropractor may also use soft tissue massage in the treatment of FMS, stretching muscles that are shortened or in spasm

Diet and Nutrition-A natural Fibromyalgia Treatment and balanced fibromyalgia nutrition diet can be helpful in counteracting stress, removing toxins from the body, and restoring the natural balance of nutrients

Exercise Fibromyalgia Exercise - see article http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com/how.html on exercise and the benefits to FM patients.

Massage

Homeopathy- The word Homeopathy (or Homoeopathy) is derived from the Greek words “homoios”, meaning “like” or “similar”; and “pathos”, meaning “suffering” or ”disease”. Homeopathy is a system of medical therapeutics for treating based on the principle of “similae” or “simile.” “Disease is eliminated through remedies able to produce similar symptoms.” The principle is that certain substances (herbs, minerals, inorganic salts, and other organic materials, etc.) in full strength yield the same symptoms as does a known disease, and that those same substances when "potentised" (or diluted and vigorously agitated) can provide relief of those same symptoms

Medications frequently used
NSAIDS
antidepressants
muscle relaxants
narcotics

Having a comprehensive healing system that incorporates a natural approach with proven success rates is important. To see such a system visit us at www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Uh....Duh, Fibro Hurts

This is an article from Science Daily where they are now saying that fibromyalgia may actually be real and painful. Imagine that. Here's the article link http://http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061128122416.htm

Mail this to your friends, family, or doctors who are having a hard time understanding. Here is the first two paragraphs of the article. For the rest check the link.

To learn more about what to do about fibromyalgia, visit http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

Pain From Fibromyalgia Is Real, Researchers Say
Science Daily — Many people with fibromyalgia -- a debilitating pain syndrome that affects 2 to 4 percent of the population -- have faced the question of whether the condition is real.

Fibromyalgia often has been misdiagnosed as arthritis or even a psychological issue. Increasingly, though, the scientific knowledge about fibromyalgia is growing, and a new paper from the University of Michigan Health System says there are "overwhelming data" that the condition is real, is characterized by a lower pain threshold and is associated with genetic factors that can make some people more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
Health Blogs - Blog Top Sites