The Basics

Hi Everyone and Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Support Group this month was small and cozy. We had two new folks this month - a mom and daughter who share the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, one more recently diagnosed than the other. But, and as always, it presents somewhat differently for each of them. Thanks to the brave souls who came. It had been forcasted to snow again that evening and we were all concerned about getting snowed in, but alas...Mother Nature pulled a back-flip on us and it was sunny all day and, as we sat waiting for the other shoe to drop, it never did! Ah well, that just shows that you can't out think Mother Nature!

Because we had two new folks who needed the benefit of knowing "how to begin" and "what to do" and "is this all there is?" and "why doesn't my doctor know what to do?" We spent our evening with the basics. *:)

We covered doctors. Some doctors still don't believe in Fibro; some don't know what to do with it, except write a Rx; and still others will write all kinds of Rx! So we talked about Osteopaths and Naturopaths and the fact that they treat the whole body - the person - instead of just symptoms. Integrative Medical Physicians blend Western Medicine with holistic (or whole body) medicine, but these doctors are hard to find. I have handouts on the counter for all our members, and I made sure they each got a list of Fibro-friendly doctors in our area. These are the doctors (and other health care practitioners) that people in our group have recommended - they are Osteopaths, Naturopaths, Rheumatologists, Acupuncturists, Reflexologists, Physical Therapists and more. Many modes of treatments represented here - they all help.


We covered the basics of what they feel in their body, and yes, pain is a universal for all of us, as is lack of decent sleep and exhaustion of course. But there are many different kinds of pain. We covered nerve pain (and/or skin sensitivity), and discussed Dr. Kelly Boyer, ND and how they now use a treatment of Alpha Lipoic Acid in an IV dosage once a week that seems to work quite well for nerve pain in nearly all her Fibro patients. Dr. Boyer is a Naturopathic Doctor originally from the Born Clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Passisni, MD shares the work with Dr. Boyer now in a Borne clinic subsidiary here in Indiana, called Crossroads Healing Arts in Goshen, IN.


We talked about EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique, for pain too. And, as it happens (if you believe in accidents) Dr. OZ had a section about EFT on Tuesday's show, earlier that day - so everyone knew exactly what I was talking about! I gave everyone the basic website www.EFTUniverse.com for more information to follow up. Later I shared another website I've found particularly helpful for EFT, www.fasterEFT.com with Robert Smith. I also gave everyone Therese Harmon's information because she is a local EFT practitioner and can help in person. Check out her website, www.YourPathToWholeness.com .


Then we discussed nutrition, such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and beans - whole, REAL foods, loaded with antioxidants, which help Fibromyalgia pain. The more the better, because they decrease inflammation for any other conditions you may share with Fibro, and they boost your already weakened immune system which is a MUST for us, and of course, add whole REAL absorbable-type nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamins, enzymes, prebiotics and so on, that make it possible for our bodies to function effectively and optimally on all cylinders! Antioxidants are also found in all the new items like Acai Juice (or capsules), Mangostene, Pomegranate, Goji Juice, Xocai Chocolate which has lots of antioxidants, and Juice Plus+, which is fruits, veggies and berries in capsules - all of which contain their respective antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, enzymes and probiotics. To find out more about Juice Plus+ go to www.PatiChandlerJuicePlus.com .


We talked about the basic core beneficial supplements for helping the pain of those with Fibromyalgia, which are: Omega 3 EPA-DHA, Magnesium and Malic Acid. We also discussed Alpha Lipoic Acid in capsule form, for use as 1) a super powerful antioxidant, and 2) nerve pain. In my upcoming book Fibromyalgia Basics: A Beginner's Guide, to be released this spring by Tate Publishing, I tell of the University of Maryland Medical School recommending 800 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid for those with diabetic neuropathy, and 400 mg (in divided doses of 100 mg each e.g., 4 times per day) for nerve pain caused by other factors, including Fibromyalgia. After several months, a maintenance dose of 200-300 mg per day works quite well.

Covering the basics for newcomers, always includes informing them:

~that there is a LOT of help out there;

~not everything works for everyone;

~trial and error of a variety of treatments such as acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, physical therapy, mild exercise, etc, is encouraged;

~there really ARE doctors out there who know what to do, but it may take some looking - DON't settle - find the RIGHT doctor for you;

~and most importantly, that "You are NOT alone! "

Fibro Notes - EFT

In October of '09, our Fibromyalgia Support Group proudly hosted Dr. Kevin Hancock, a very special Chiropractor in the Mishawaka area, who is so very dedicated to helping his patients that he has incorporated a few very helpful and somewhat unique methods of treatment into his repetoire.

One treatment is Oxygen therapy, which incorporates the intake of oxygen through a nasal tube as the patient exerts her muscles. This adds oxygen to the blood flow which in turn oxygenates the muscles helping to relieve muscle pain. Very Healing, indeed. Kudos Dr. Hancock!

Another Kudo comes from his use of EFT, as a very effective adjunct to his chiropractic and oxygen therapies. EFT is being used by a number of professionals, including psychologists, ministers, Osteopaths, Medical Doctors and social workers, all over the world. Anyone can use EFT. Even you.

What is EFT? Well, simply stated it is "an emotional, needle free version of acupuncture...." where one uses the tips of the fingers to tap on specific accupuncture meridian points, while reciting a specific statement, or affirmation, regarding your particular emotional dilema of the moment.

It has become common knowledge that our emotions (particularly stress) affect our well-being, indeed our overall health, especialy in the case of Fibromyalgia. When overwhelmed with specific stressful events, one can become ill almost instantly - ulcers, stroke or heart attacks are the most talked about, but headaches, backaches, intestinal issues and so on are also common. Using EFT, one can literally release the emotional hold on these specific acupuncture points, freeing the blockage that occurrs at these key sites.

This is a gross oversimplification, but the correct process and usage of this "tapping" has helped thousands of people with a wide range of issues, including cravings for smoking, soft drinks, sugar, and overeating in general, also for helping headaches, backaches, migraines, mild depression, anxiety, phobias such as fear of spiders, fear of flying, and much more.

This treatment method may not cure Fibromyalgia, but it can certainly help stresses that can aggravate symptoms. It may help recurrent headaches, sinus blockages, backaches, or stress when dealing with family members, or the boss at work, or calming the mind before going to sleep, or any number of things that crop up in a-day-in-the-life-of-a-Fibromyalgic.

Dr. Hancock's presentation provided us with a new and valuable tool. One that he uses for his patients when necessary, and one that we can also learn to use for ourselves. We really appreciated his insight and demonstration of this wonderful treatment method.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or "Tapping" is a remarkable Mind-Body method of treatment. Find out more at www.Emofree.com or Google "Emotional Freedom Technique" or "EFT." You can even download a free training manual at some of these sites! It's easy to learn and may help immeasurably!

I am finding every day that there are more things in heaven and earth that are out there just for our use...we need only find them and apply them. One or more of them is bound to help our particular style of Fibromyalgia...The more we learn, the better we can choose.

Keep Smiling Everyone! It's Important! *:)