| Fibromyalgia & Protocols for
Wellness by Gloria Davis First of a two-part series Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic, achy, muscular pain that has no obvious physical cause. It most commonly affects the lower back, the neck, the shoulders, the back of the head, the upper chest, and/or the thighs, although any area of the body may be involved. The pain is usually describes as burning, throbbing, shooting and stabbing. More than 75 percent of Fibromyalgic patients report that the pain and stiffness is often greater in the morning than at other times of the day. Less common, but seen in 25 percent of FMS patients, are the following symptoms: chronic headaches, strange sensations in the skin, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, and temporal mandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). Other symptoms include premenstrual syndrome, painful periods, anxiety, palpitations, memory impairment, irritable bladder, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, a need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, dizziness and impaired coordination, along with numerous other symptoms. A brain fog is experienced by fibromyalgia patients. The pain of FMS has been called "passive pain hypersensitivity." Unlike active pain, you have no recollection of having hurt yourself, but the pain is no less real and no less intense. Your body has made the transition from a normal pain situation to pathological pain. Most people with FMS also have an associated sleep disorder known as alpha-EEG anomaly. In this disorder, the individual's deep sleep periods are interrupted by bouts of waking-type brain activity, resulting in poor sleep. Not surprisingly, people with FMS often suffer from chronic fatigue that can range from mild to incapacitating. Tender points The most distinctive feature of fibromyalgia, however, is the existence of certain tender points, which are nine pairs of specific spots where the muscles are abnormally tender to the touch: • Around the lower vertebra of the neck • At the insertion of the second rib • Upper part of thigh bone • Middle of knee joint • Muscles connected to the base of the skull • Muscles of the neck and upper back • Muscles of mid back • Side of the elbow • Upper and outer muscles of the buttocks Three situations may contribute to fibromyalgia: Genetic predisposition, a cumulative load of toxins, and a trigger event. FMS can occur after what may seem like a harmless infection, some form of trauma such as whiplash, or a nerve injury. FMS patients consistently turn up positive for small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Bacteria are naturally present throughout the GI tract and are actually helpful for digestion and the promotion of a healthy gut. However, under certain conditions, there are changes in the bacterial content of the gut. There are 300-400 pecies of bacteria that may inhabit the small intestine. Some of these travel via the lymph nodes to the abdominal cavity. There they may be carried on to the liver, where pro-inflammatory cytokines are released. When digested products of bacteria and yeast find their way to the liver, the results are the same as that of glia cell stimulation. Glial cells are immune cells that recognize foreign substances. When activated, they can release pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause severe generalized pain, profound fatigue, impaired sleep and cognitive impairment. Because glia cells are connected to large networks and release pro-inflammatory cytokines, they act throughout the body in a generalized manner. They can also percolate in the spinal cord to cause the entire body to be engulfed in pain. Linda Watkins, Ph.D., of Boulder, Colo., has identified a pathway in rodents in which cytokines caused by infections can lead to the production of the major neurotransmitter abnormalities found in FMS. Internal environment One cannot be adamant enough about protecting our internal environment as it relates to an acidic pH. Low pH levels foster bacterial, fungal and yeast overgrowth. Constant pain and lack of sleep results in a state of chronic stress, which interferes with memory and concentration processes in the brain. The amygdala in the brain is associated with memory. Under high cortisol levels, which are present in times of stress, the amygdala shunts memory from the brain. The energy of memory is transformed to a state of excitation, which results in a chronic state of stress within the cells of the body. Exhaustion in the sympathetic system creates a state of fatigue and exhaustion. Treatment of FMS at the healing heART therapeutic center in Rochester, Minn., focuses on normalizing the environment in the gut. Probiotics are encouraged as a first line of defense. Probiotics fight bacterial infections by creating their own antibiotic substance, which kills harmful bacteria, viruses and yeasts. Probiotics attack the outer layer of viruses, rendering them susceptible to immune system response, and they also produce enzymes, which break down cellular debris in the gut. Therapeutic massage breaks the sympathetic cycle. As the parasympathetic nervous system is allowed to function in balance, the clients will exhibit an increased state of alertness, during which time cognitive performance improves. Additionally, treatment is directed toward release of the stress that has been stored in the organs of the body. During cognitive challenges experienced by the FMS patients, the muscles of the neck and shoulders become increasingly tense and painful. One simple method of breaking the cycle of muscle spasms is to use of an electric massager. The Twin Head Hitachi is ideal for this use, as its vibrational level quickly and profoundly affects the pacinian corpuscles, which in turn attenuate the amount of pain impulses carried to the spinal cord. The melting muscle technique is utilized to enhance relaxation of specific muscle groups. Deep heat opens microcirculation. It also releases serotonin, which is sequestered in muscles in spasm, back to the bloodstream. Serotonin uptake is a great boost in ending the depression, which is a natural sequence of FMS. Some general rules to consider: • Excessive antibiotic usage wipes out the normal flora in the gastrointestinal system (gut). • Excessive sugar consumption feeds unfriendly flora (especially Candida). Sugar is found not only in candy but also in simple carbohydrates, which break down quickly to sugar in our bodies. • Chlorinated water destroys the natural flora of our gut. • A poor mix of acid and alkaline foods damages the natural flora of our gut. An acidic environment encourages the growth of toxins, which release the inflammatory end products. Friendly flora foods are fresh vegetables, yogurt with live cultures, buttermilk, cottage cheese and whey. Fibromyalgia protocol The following healing methods assist the FMS patient: • Reflexology utilizes the end points of the nervous system meridians to restore organ blood flow. It also acts to unblock energy to multiple and to the musculo-skeletal system. • Bowen Therapy has shown much success in Australia and throughout the world in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. This therapy utilizes a series of gentle maneuvers. • Shiatsu Lymphatic massage: According to Doc Witort and Dr. Ross Turchaninov of Russia, poor lymphatic flow exacerbates the symptoms of fibromyalgia due to the bodies inability to remove toxins. The inflammatory state excites glia cells, which in turn amplify, in a non-discrete manner, stimuli to the pain pathways of the dorsal horn. • Vibrational treatment of specific trigger zones breaks the cycle of pain through stimulation of pacinian corpuscles. Low-frequency vibration suppresses the amount of pain stimuli, which reaches the brain. • Soft repetitive massage, as designed by Dr. Turchaninov and taught by Doc Witort, provides an additional method of breaking the cycle of pain. Massage, as practiced by the healing heART, normalizes the psychological status of the patient and is accompanied by medical massage to attenuate local symptoms. • Deep heat with a NASA-developed and FDA-approved biomat opens microcirculation 5-6 inches deep within the body to relieve toxins and restore circulation to body organs. With the relaxation and reperfusion of muscles, serotonin is released back to the brain where it plays a role in reversal of depression. There is also a release of the end products of metabolisms sequestered in the spastic muscles. This toxic load is discharged from the body and brings the system toward homeostasis. Chronic stress increases the cortisol level, which creates an environment of disease within the body. Several modalities for permanent stress reduction have been integrated into the program. • Diet and exercise specific for fibromyalgia are discussed with the client. Next month: More dietary and lifestyle recommendations for those suffering from fibromyalgia. Gloria Davis, BSRN, CRNA, of healing heART therapeutic center in Rochester, Minn., has been active in nursing since 1966 She was an anesthetist at Mayo Clinic for 23 years. She has studied and been certified in Bowen, Medical Massage, Shiatsu, Melting Muscles, Ahavat Olam energy work . She has completed a yearlong apprenticeship program with NICAB for intuitive healing. This course is provided as a continuing education program for MDs, RNs, psychologists, psychiatrists and massage therapists. Gloria has also received certifications in various other modalities of healing. She has written a booklet on the Etiology and treatment of FMS and provides therapy for FMS/CFS. To contact her write: theglowingheart@yahoo.com or call (507) 286-8912. Copyright © 2003 Gloria Davis |
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