The Brand New Blog of Fog

Fibromyalgia Tissue Bank to Study Role of Glial Cells

2007-03-07T17:29:00.000-05:00

Fibromyalgia Tissue Bank to Study Role of Glial Cells

The world's first fibromyalgia tissue bank has been established at Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, Arizona. The tissue bank will expand the area of arthritis research and explore the role of glial cells as they relate to fibromyalgia pain.

Glial cells, also known as glia, are supportive cells in the brain and spinal cord which do not conduct electrical impulses, unlike neurons which do. The first human tissue study to determine if glial cells are involved in long-term pain conditions will hopefully lead to improved treatments. According to the institute, the research could be important for 50 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain conditions ranging from nerve damage, arthritis inflammation, and fibromyalgia to cancer and AIDS. Fibromyalgia tissue donors will be asked to visit the institute each year to undergo a fibromyalgia evaluation and complete a pain assessment questionnaire. Actual tissue donation would not occur until the donor's death.

From the Sun Health website www.sunhealth.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Bennett
Linda Tyler
(623) 815-7600

First fibromyalgia tissue bank to be established

Sun City, Arizona
2/15/2007

Sun Health Research Institute has established the world's first fibromyalgia tissue bank and is initiating the first research to explore the latest theory in fibromyalgia pain. Both of these endeavors could positively impact the millions of people in the United States suffering from fibromyalgia.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has awarded a $1.4-million grant to Dr. Dianne Lorton, head of the Sun Health Research Institute's Robert J. Hoover Center for Arthritis Research, to establish the world's first fibroymalgia tissue bank.

"This is vital to the institute's expansion of arthritis research and initiating the first research to explore the role of glial cells in fibromyalgia's chronic pain," said Dr. Joseph Rogers, president of Sun Health Research Institute.

The expanded arthritis research project is made possible not only by the NIH grant but also by a $100,000 grant from the American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association and a pilot project grant from the NIH. The newly awarded NIH grant is establishing a fibromyalgia brain and spinal cord tissue bank to explore mechanisms for the pain of this disease.

"Tissue collected from fibromyalgia patients will be an incredible resource for finding answers to the questions of what causes fibromyalgia and how we can successfully treat it,"said Dr. Lorton. "There is a great need for individuals with fibromyalgia to become tissue donors to help us find new insights into understanding and treating the chronic pain of this disease."

This will be the first human tissue study to scientifically demonstrate whether activated brain and spinal cord cells called glia are involved in long-term pain conditions which will allow for the development of new drugs that control chronic-pain responses.

"Pain in fibromyalgia is poorly understood and managed," said Lorton. "It is expected this innovative new research will lead to a potentially revolutionary treatment for the millions of people suffering with severe chronic pain."

Lorton is collaborating with Dr. Linda Watkins at the University of Colorado, Boulder, in doing this research that could significantly impact the fifty million Americans who suffer from long-term pain caused by nerve damage from shingles or diabetes, inflammation from arthritis, and in diseases and syndromes such as cancer, AIDS and fibromyalgia.

Tissue donation will not occur until the donor's death. However, fibromyalgia-tissue donors will be asked to visit the institute annually to undergo a fibromyalgia assessment and complete a pain-assessment questionnaire. Donor enrollment benefits include priority placement on a list for any future clinical trials of newly developed drugs for treating chronic pain. For information on becoming a tissue donor, call (623) 875-6528.

"It is a very personal decision to become a tissue donor, but the possibility of helping to find a cure for future generations can make this a rewarding and positive experience," Lorton said.

During 2006, Sun Health Research Institute celebrated 20 years as a pioneer in the search for answers to age-related diseases. Since its founding in 1986, the Institute, together with its Arizona consortium partners, has been designated by the National Institutes of Health as one of just 29 Alzheimer's Disease Centers in the nation. The Institute's Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research takes laboratory discoveries to clinical trials that foster hope for new treatments. The Institute is affiliated with the Sun Health non-profit community healthcare network.

Got my Disabled Parking Placard!!!

2007-01-11T13:34:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Just to let you in on the good news...
After waiting almost two months for the darn thing to come in, I finally got my placard. Finally I can start parking in those places that only the brave dare go!
Finally I can stop parking in the obscure spots because people are greedy and "need" to be close to the door. Finally I can not worry about making it to my car after navigating Wal-Mart and trying not to collapse before I reach the car.
Finally I can accept that I am truly disabled enough to warrant help. Its only taken me 6 years to come to that conclusion and my pig-headedness finally allowed me to ask for true help.

Managing Your Energy

2007-01-11T13:28:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year all! During this time we tend to make resolutions to change our thinking about our illnesses in one way or another...here is an article that may help you deal with the chronic fatigue and trying to be "normal" and getting things done everyday.

Managing Your Energy
From Karen Lee Richards, www.chronicfatigue.about.com

Does this scenario sound familiar? You get up one morning and, surprisingly, feel a little better than usual. Almost giddy with excitement, your mind quickly scans the list of chores you’ve been too sick to take care of. You eagerly begin…clean the house, do the laundry, work in the garden. By midday, you start to sense that your body is getting tired, but the adrenaline rush and sense of accomplishment spurs you on. You push yourself to make use of every little bit of energy you can muster before you collapse into bed. The next morning, you wake up feeling like you’ve been run over by the proverbial Mack truck. For the rest of the week, it’s all you can do to drag yourself from bed to bath to sofa.

Most of us with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome are so sick and tired of being sick and tired, that whenever we get even a hint of extra energy, we go overboard.

It’s hard not to. For a few brief hours we almost feel “normal” again. But, as tempting as it is to go all out on a good day, it’s exactly the wrong thing to do. We would never think of handling our finances like we handle our energy. If we spent our entire paycheck on the day we received it, we’d have nothing left to live on until our next payday. Just as we budget our money, it’s essential that we learn to budget our energy.

Living Within Your "Energy Envelope"
You may be familiar with the envelope method of handling your finances. It’s not used as often in this credit-card age, but it is a simple, effective way of living within your budget. Here’s how it works. You set aside one envelope for each item in your budget (rent, utilities, food, etc.). Each payday, you place a designated amount of money in each envelope. When an envelope is empty, you’ve spent your allotted budget for that period of time. Anything else you need in that category either has to wait until the next payday, or must be taken from another envelope. Of course, the problem with taking money from another envelope is that you will run short when that particular bill comes due. For example, if you run out of money in your food envelope and so take $50 from your rent envelope, when the rent comes due, you’ll be $50 short.
What does the envelope method of budgeting have to do with your energy levels? You can start budgeting your energy, just as you do your money. Until you are able to build an energy reserve, you’ll have to budget your energy on a daily basis. Each day when you awaken, assess your energy level for that day. Realistically decide how much you think you can do that day and mentally picture putting your day’s worth of energy into an envelope. Every time you expend energy for something, imagine taking a portion of your energy allotment out of the envelope. When your envelope is empty, it’s time to stop for the day.

If visualizing is not your thing, you might try writing tasks for the day on pieces of paper and actually put them into an envelope, removing each task as it’s accomplished.

Using the “Fifty-Percent Solution”
Once you get the hang of living within your energy envelope, you can start building an energy reserve – a kind of energy savings account. Rather than using up all of your energy each day, begin following the “fifty-percent solution.” When you make your energy assessment for the day, only do fifty percent of what you feel like you can do. If you feel like you can exercise for 20 minutes, only exercise for 10. Instead of consistently depleting your energy each day, you will slowly begin to build a reserve.
Not continually pushing your body to its limits allows it more time to heal and build strength. According to Dr. William Collinge, author of Recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Guide to Self-Empowerment, the rest you get on a good day is of a higher quality than the rest you get on a bad day. Eventually this additional quality healing time will pay off with more energy on a regular basis.

Sources: Campbell, Bruce. The CFIDS/FIbromyalgia Toolkit, A Practical Self-Help Guide. Lincoln: Authors Choice Press, 2001.

Collinge, William. “Promoting Recovery: The fifty percent Solution.” ProHealth. 5/25/06.

Updated: January 10, 2007

Can a Simple Blood Pressure Test Diagnose Fibromyalgia?

2006-12-28T14:47:00.000-05:00

From Karen Lee Richards,
Your Guide to Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. www.chronicfatigue.about.com

When you go to the doctor, do you cringe when the nurse pulls out the cuff to take your blood pressure -- because you know it’s going to be painful? I know I do – and I always feel like a wimp because I can’t even tolerate a simple blood pressure test. One nurse actually called me a wimp, but another more kind-hearted nurse taught me to ask for the large cuff, which does significantly reduce the degree of pain I experience.
Apparently, I’m not alone. In a recent study, 69 percent of fibromyalgia patients experienced pain from blood pressure testing. The study entitled, “Sphygmomanometry-Evoked Allodynia – A Simple Bedside Test Indicative of Fibromyalgia: A Multicenter Developmental Study,” was published in the December 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.
Terminology: Sphygmomanometry is the long word for the simple and standard blood pressure test which everyone receives at the doctor's office. Allodynia is a condition in which pain results from a stimulus that does not normally evoke pain.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether a universally used clinical test -- sphygmomanometry -- would be helpful in identifying FM patients.
Method: Researchers studied 20 fibromyalgia patients, 20 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, 20 osteoarthritis (OA) patients and 20 healthy individuals in each of three public rheumatology outpatient services. Each participant was asked to answer the question, “When I take your blood pressure, tell me if the cuff’s pressure brings forth pain.”
Results: While 69 percent of FM patients experienced sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia, only 10 percent of OA patients, five percent of RA patients and two percent of healthy individuals did. The mean blood pressure value at which FM patients felt pain was lower than the other three groups. FM patients showed a negative correlation between the blood pressure value at which the allodynia developed and the total Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) score, number of tender points, and the FIQ visual analog scales for pain intensity and fatigue.
Conclusions: In this study, there was a strong association between pain experienced during blood pressure testing and the diagnosis of FM. Sphygmomanometry is a simple test and a universally standard clinical procedure that may be useful in recognizing FM patients. Based on the results of this study, the researchers suggest looking for other FM features in anyone who has sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia.
Source: Vargas, Alfonso MD, et al. Sphygmomanometry-Evoked Allodynia – A Simple Bedside Test Indicative of Fibromyalgia: A Multicenter Developmental Study Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. 2006 Dec;12(6):272-4.

Updated: December 27, 2006

Fibromyalgia Pain: It's for Real

2006-12-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

Researchers Say Chronic Pain Patients Don't Process Body's Natural Pain Relievers
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD
on Thursday, November 30, 2006

Nov. 30, 2006 -- There is now "overwhelming" scientific evidence showing that fibromyalgia and related chronic pain conditions are real, but their clinical management leaves much to be desired.

That is the conclusion of two researchers from the University of Michigan who have studied fibromyalgia for several years.

Because there has been no obvious physiological cause for the pain disorder, doctors still routinely dismiss fibromyalgia as being "in a patient's head."

But after reviewing the research, Richard E. Harris, PhD, and Daniel J. Clauw, MD, write that it is increasingly clear that fibromyalgia is a central nervous system disorder and that patients experience hypersensitivity to pain. There also appears to be a fairly strong genetic component to fibromyalgia and related conditions.

"It is time for us to move past the rhetoric about whether these conditions are real, and take these patients seriously as we endeavor to learn more about the causes and most effective treatments for these disorders," Harris and Clauw write in the December issue of the journal Current Pain and Headache Reports.

Brain Imaging Studies

As many as 10 million Americans may have fibromyalgia, according to The National Fibromyalgia Association.

The disorder is characterized by chronic pain throughout the body, but symptoms may also include fatigue, headaches, and problems with memory and concentration.

Brain imaging studies conducted at the University of Michigan and other research centers in recent years show clear differences in responses to pain stimulation among people with and without fibromyalgia.

Compared to people without the disorder, fibromyalgia patients showed increased brain activity in response to pain.

"These studies indicate that fibromyalgia patients have abnormalities within their central brain structures," Clauw says.

Research by Harris, Clauw, and colleagues also suggests that fibromyalgia patients don't process the body's natural pain relievers as efficiently as people without the disorder.

"We think that these may have both a heightened sensitivity to pain and this dysfunction in their analgesic [painkilling] mechanism," Harris tells WebMD. "It is not yet clear how this all fits together."

National Fibromyalgia Association president and founder Lynne Matallana tells WebMD that the doctors who treat fibromyalgia patients face a unique challenge.

"This is a new paradigm for medical professionals to understand," she says. "It isn't a virus, or bacteria or inflammation. It isn't a tumor or something else that you can see. It is a problem within the pain-processing center of the central nervous system."

Treatment Options Still Few

While the recent research has done much to improve the understanding of fibromyalgia and related chronic pain conditions, few advances have been made in the treatment of these disorders, Harris says.

The use of medications such as antidepressants can help some patients with fibromyalgia. And regular exercise seems to help many patients.

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce pain in some studies, but not others, he adds.

Matallana says several drug companies are in the later stages of testing several new drugs designed specifically for the treatment of fibromyalgia, which target the central nervous system.

"We are really excited about this research," she says.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCES: Harris, R. and Clauw, D. Current Pain and Headache Reports, December 2006; online edition. Richard E. Harris, PhD, research investigator, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor. Daniel J. Clauw, MD, department of medicine, division of rheumatology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor. Lynne Matallana, president and founder, National Fibromyalgia Association.

Arthritis and weather?

2006-12-17T07:07:00.000-05:00

www.arthritis.about.com
From Carol & Richard Eustice,
Your Guide to Arthritis.

Weather and Arthritis Symptoms: Is There a Connection?
Many arthritis patients claim weather affects how they feel. Some people with arthritis believe that symptoms of arthritis (such as pain and stiffness) are influenced by changes in the weather.
Is there a connection between weather and arthritis symptoms?
Why is the effect of weather changes on arthritis symptoms true for some but not for others?
Where is the best place to live, in terms of climate, if you have arthritis?

We asked rheumatologist Scott J. Zashin, M.D. to explain, Is There a Connection Between Weather and Arthritis Symptoms?

Many arthritis patients claim weather affects how they feel. Some people with arthritis believe that symptoms of arthritis (such as pain and stiffness) are influenced by changes in the weather.

Is there a connection between weather and arthritis symptoms?
Why is the effect of weather changes on arthritis symptoms true for some but not for others?
Where is the best place to live, in terms of climate, if you have arthritis?

Weather and Arthritis Symptoms

It is not uncommon for patients with arthritis to notice an increase in symptoms with certain weather conditions. For example, some of my patients can predict when it will soon rain based on their symptoms. Others feel terrific in places that have increased barometric pressure, but hurt more in locations where the pressure is lower.

The "Rejuvenator"

In fact, a patient of mine felt so well when he vacationed in Destin, Florida that he developed a small chamber that would raise the barometric pressure to a level that replicated Destin. He would sit in the chamber for 30 minutes twice a day and was able to discontinue his medications.
Due to his relief, I conducted a very small study that exposed patients to 30 minutes in a placebo chamber and 12 hours later in the "Rejuvenator" (the chamber that was developed to have an increase in barometric pressure), as well as another study that included one 30 minute placebo session and two 30 minute "Rejuvenator" treatments over 3 days. The majority of the patients had clinical improvement using the chamber with the increased barometric pressure. Side effects included self-limited symptoms of ear pressure, sinus pressure and "windburn". Based on the results of this preliminary study, more testing was recommended to further study the potential benefits and risks of this therapy.

Further Studies

Further support for an effect on atmospheric pressure in arthritis was published in the Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society in 2004. In this prospective, double blind study, 92 patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis were compared to a control group of 42 subjects. The authors concluded that the osteoarthritis patients experienced increased joint pain with a low atmospheric pressure while low temperature increased the risk of joint pain in the rheumatoid group. Another study published in the Journal of Rheumatology in 2004 demonstrated that high humidity was unfavorable for arthritis patients. Based on these particular studies, it would seem that a location that tends to have a higher barometric pressure and lower humidity would represent a favorable environment for arthritis patients.

Best Place to Live?

For those patients who ask me where the best place for them to live in terms of climate, I suggest live where you will be happiest and certainly if you decide to move somewhere based on arthritis, make sure you try it out by spending plenty of time there during different seasons before making any move.

Answers provided by Scott J. Zashin, M.D., clinical assistant professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Division of Rheumatology, in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Zashin is also an attending physician at Presbyterian Hospitals of Dallas and Plano. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology and a member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Zashin is author of Arthritis Without Pain - The Miracle of TNF Blockers. The book is useful for anyone on one of the biologic drugs (Enbrel, Remicade, Humira) or considering the biologic drugs. Read my review of the book.

FAQ Index
Updated: December 14, 2006

Sorry,....rant coming!!!!

2006-12-13T20:15:00.000-05:00

This morning my left shoulder was in extreme pain. I saw my pain doc in at 10 AM and I asked him for better pain control. I was a little worried about asking him because I have never asked him for this type of help before. I would have liked to have askd him for pain meds but nothing that I have to take all the time. Only when I needed it. I didn't want to be seen as a drug seeker (as we all have that fear) so I was worried about asking him.
Isn't a shame that us CPers have to worry about asking doctors for help?
Well, here is what happened....
I went to my appointment and I got my depo-medrol shots in my shoulder which helped and all he would give me is a medrol pak. He wouldn't help beyond that. Sigh. He all but said that the pain is in my head. Which made me upset...like I wasn't crying already from the pain.
Yes, it kinda shocked me that he said that. They (he and his nurse) kept going on about pondering why I was feeling so bad. It was anything from stress from the holidays, to being depressed (of course I was I was upset because I hurt so darn bad!), to the weather. They tried to get me to take neurontin again, but I said no way because I gained 50 pounds on it and was on 1800 mgs a day that did nothing. He then asked if I had been on Cymbalta, I said yes and it didn't work out for me. I think to get me out of his hair, he gave me the medrol pak. Sad huh. But he is the only pain doc that will see me. Don't know what to do next if I choose to stop seeing him.
I am having pain in my SI joint, which is causing the majority of my pain, and I think I need a doc that specializes in that area to take a look at me and see what is going on there.
UGH! Why is it when you feel the worst the doctors seem to become more of a hinderance than a help?
As time has gone on....here is where the rant begins.....
He juices me up twice a month with Depo-Medrol which is like a band-aid on a small piece of pain when my entire body is dying at times from it. For the first time since I have seen him which was a year in September, I have asked for this kind of help. And he gives me 7 days of oral steroids, which I am not sure will do anything right now. I have had 2 ESIs, 2 facet injections and one radio frequency ablation. Basically everything short of surgery. None of which has worked.
The ONLY meds he has prescribed for me are Lidoderm patches, baclofen, trazodone and now the medrol pak. He has in the past tried mexitil, which again didn't work. Everything just a band-aid he is doing. I feel that he is milking the system for money. Since I am on Medicare, he can string me along for as long as I let it happen.
Today has made me realize that he can do no more for me than he has already done. And won't do anymore. He made that perfectly clear on that account today.
What do I do??? Where do I go from here?
I know my pcp is uncomfortable with giving pain meds and usually refers me to my rheumy, who is in the same practice. Who also won't do pain meds. Living where I do, near a city where some of the best health care in the world is to be had, I can't get a doctor to help me!!!!! I am at a loss.
I have done everything they have asked of me. Did physical therapy twice in a year. Done a Functional Capacity Evaluation to show that I am unable to function at a "normal" level. Gone through immensely painful procedures to get a glimpse of a possibility of help with my pain. I don't complain. I never call the doctor's office and be a nuisance. I am kind, friendly and never skip an appointment.
All I want is to live in a resonably comfortable existance physically. I would like to function somewhat normally. Geez, listen to me....I would like this, I would like that.....I guess it is not meant to be. I am being forced to live in pain at levels that most people would go to the hospital or stay home from work for. They get the attention and medication they need. While I and some of you are here in pain crying for help. We can't even take an ibuprofen without getting a slap on the wrist for doing so. Some side effect or whatnot.
Okay, getting off my soapbox now! I don't feel better but at least I got it out!

The Many Emotions of Chronic Arthritis

2006-12-13T15:56:00.000-05:00

This information can also go along with any type of chronic pain illness.

From Carol & Richard Eustice www.arthritis.about.com

Emotional Impact of Arthritis: One Emotion Leads to Another

Physical aspects of arthritis are manifested in pain and other symptoms. The gamut of emotions which coincides with the physical problems are equally important.

Arthritis affects a person's life and changes their reality on many levels. Physically, your body does not perform as it once did. You face everyday challenges such as:

chronic pain
chronic fatigue
limitation
loss of ability
other health problems

As it becomes necessary to find other ways of doing things and depend on other people for care and help, it becomes imperative to acknowledge the emotional aspects of arthritis.

The expectations of what you are able to do changes as the disease changes. As the disease evolves over time, it affects:

abilities
responsibilities
relationships
personal identity

Emotions Of Arthritis

Concern: As you first experience arthritis symptoms, there is concern over what is happening.

After consulting with a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in arthritis and related conditions), the concern is directed toward the results of your medical exam.

Fear: Concern can quickly turn into fear as the uncertainty of the illness becomes the focus. The long-term prognosis may be feared.

Denial: The most powerful emotion which attempts to take over other prevalent emotions is denial. Avoiding the reality of the situation and continuing to live life as if unaffected by the disease is used as a coping mechanism. In terms of coping, denial is used positively. However, harm can be done if denial leads to activities which exacerbate symptoms.

Relief: A definite diagnosis of your early symptoms can give you a sense of relief. You feel more in control, because you know what you are facing. This relief is temporary, since a diagnosis is not the precursor to a cure.

Frustration: Frustration is a common emotion for people living with arthritis. Frustration mounts when dealing with:

limitations
loss of ability
decreased mobility
increased fatigue
other changes

Lifestyle changes caused by arthritis are often difficult to accept.

Unfairness: Often regarded as jealousy, envy, or the "why me" syndrome. An overwhelming sense of loss from all the lifestyle changes can lead to feelings of unfairness and being shortchanged. You may look at other people and wonder why you and not them.

Anger: Many aspects of arthritis can lead to anger.Circumstances that may lead to anger include:

inconveniences caused by the illness
attitude of doctors and health care personnel
lack of understanding from family and friends

In contrast, angry feelings may occur when loved ones hover over you, try to control your life, or affect your need for independence. Anger is an emotion people encounter intermittently throughout the course of the illness.

Loss Of Control: At some point it is realized that arthritis is the determining factor in many situations. The disease must be respected because it is the reason for changes that are necessary. You no longer control every situation because the disease becomes a major factor.

Devastation: As plans and goals are forced to be altered, an air of devastation can be caused by:

financial loss
career loss
family disruptions

A person suffering so much loss often feels depleted and robbed by their ill-health.

Hopelessness: Self-destructive feelings such as hopelessness can surface if you become swallowed up by your sorrow. Sadness is a normal emotion that we all feel at times. It's not the same as depression. If you give up or surrender to the negative impact of arthritis without any regard to the remaining positive aspects of your life, hopelessness will prevail.

Mourning: An arthritis sufferer will go through a process of mourning from:

the realization that life has forever changed
the accumulation of personal loss

Just as the death of a loved one is met with a period of mourning, the loss of dreams and the loss of the person you once were must also be permitted a period of mourning.

Coping: A person living with chronic arthritis can develop a change in perspective. A special, humble camaraderie can develop among people coping with arthritis. Coping skills can be improved through:

mutual support
loved ones
patient education
being a partner in ones own health care

Solving difficult issues imposed by arthritis helps people "live with" the illness.

Acceptance: At the point when you learn to accept your arthritis and not fight the disease, you become liberated and begin to concentrate on:

treatment options
eliminating stress
prioritizing activities

With acceptance, you reap the benefits of living wisely "with" the disease.

Hope: Positive attitude can help you adjust to life with a chronic disease. The emotion of hope must also exist when searching for better treatment and a better quality of life.

Many FM & CFS patients in D-ribose study report quality of life improvements

2006-12-08T07:12:00.000-05:00

Many FM & CFS patients in D-ribose study report quality of life improvements
by Editor
www.ImmuneSupport.com

12-06-2006

The natural dietary supplement D-ribose - a form of sugar essential to fuel cellular energy generation - "significantly reduced clinical symptoms in patients suffering from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," a Texas-based research group reported recently. Their study - "The Use of D-Ribose in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia" - headed by internationally recognized FM/CFS Doctor Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, was published in the November 2006 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.*

Key Findings

Of 41 study participants diagnosed with CFS and/or FM who received D-ribose supplementation daily for four weeks, 66 percent achieved “significant improvements in quality of life," the report states. Change was measured using patients' before-and-after visual analog scale (VAS) scores for energy, sleep, mental clarity, pain intensity, and well-being, as well as global quality of life assessments.

Key findings for the patients who perceived significant change included:

* 45 percent average improvement in energy score

* 30 percent average improvement in overall well-being

These findings are considered statistically significant (P < 0.0001), meaning the probability they were owing to chance is less than 1 in 1,000. In particular, the report indicates, patients tended to perceive improved "ability to overcome fatigue," as well as less muscle soreness and stiffness. And supplementation with the natural substance D-ribose was "tolerated well."

Study Details

The study was open label and uncontrolled, meaning all participants took D-ribose, no patients were given a placebo, or "fake" dose as a means of comparison, and no subjects with normal health were included as a means of comparison. Termed a "feasibility" study, the research involved a small number of patients, as a possible preliminary to more extensive investigation. Of the 41 patients, 78 percent were female and their average age was 48. They took five grams of D-ribose by mouth three times a day for an average of 28 days.

What is D-ribose?

D-ribose, also called “ribose,” is a form of sugar containing five carbon atoms that all living cells require for creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's main source of energy. D-ribose is also a crucial component of other important molecules within our cells, such as RNA (ribonucleic acid), and DNA (deoxynbonucleic acid). DNA produces the proteins cells need to function and develop, while RNA provides the instructions for the job.

How is D-ribose Obtained?

Our bodies make D-ribose for use by the cells from glucose - a sugar that contains six carbon atoms, which plants manufacture by the process of photosynthesis. We obtain glucose, also known as "blood sugar," from the fruits, berries, vegetables, and honey we eat. In a glucose-deficient pinch - such as starvation, fasting, or extremely demanding exercise - our liver and even our kidneys may also synthesize glucose from other compounds to provide a source of D-ribose for the cells. But this is an energy-intensive process.

D-ribose has also long been available as a dietary supplement, produced by fermentation of corn syrup. And it can be obtained from some RNA-rich food substances such as brewer's yeast.

What's the Theory of Benefit?

How do the researchers think D-ribose supplementation supports improved CFS and FM patient quality of life? Many scientists have come to believe that "inefficient" or "disordered" cellular metabolism may account for the symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain associated with CFS and FM. Patients' muscles become "anaerobic" or depleted of oxygen faster than the muscles of normal healthy people. And supplementation with the nutrient D-ribose may represent one avenue for supporting faster regeneration of ATP and healthier metabolism in oxygen-deprived muscle cells.

Next Steps

Dr. Teitelbaum, the principal investigator of this D-ribose supplementation study, is Medical Director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, based in Dallas. He is the much-published author of such best-selling books as From Fatigued to Fantastic and Pain Free 1-2-3.

Dr. Teitelbaum reported that his organization is already pursuing follow-up studies of the benefits of D-ribose supplementation for CFS and FM patients, and he and his colleagues consider D-ribose supplementation so promising that they have made it a standard part of therapy for their patients.

* To review an abstract of the study report, go to http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/7539

Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is very important that you never make any change in your health support plan or regimen without reviewing and discussing it collaboratively with your professional healthcare team.

The pain from fibromyalgia is real

2006-11-28T17:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks to www.fibrohugs.com

Public release date: 28-Nov-2006
Contact: Katie Gazella
University of Michigan Health System

The pain from fibromyalgia is real, researchers say
University of Michigan doctors say widespread evidence verifies
validity of condition, say patients should be taken seriously

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - 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.

The review paper, in the December issue of the journal Current Pain and
Headache Reports, cites recent studies involving pain, genetics, brain
activity and more. The paper's authors hope these findings will lead to
a better understanding and acceptance of fibromyalgia and related
conditions.

"It is time for us to move past the rhetoric about whether these
conditions are real, and take these patients seriously as we endeavor
to learn more about the causes and most effective treatments for these
disorders," says Richard E. Harris, Ph.D., research investigator in
the Division of Rheumatology at the U-M Medical School's Department of
Internal Medicine and a researcher at the U-M Health System's Chronic
Pain and Fatigue Research Center.

A growing amount of research related to the neurobiology of the
condition supports the notion that the pain of fibromyalgia is real.
Studies at U-M and elsewhere using two neuroimaging techniques -
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and single photon emission
computed tomography (SPECT) - indicate there is a difference between
patients with and without fibromyalgia.

"In people without pain, these structures encode pain sensations
normally. In people with fibromyalgia, the neural activity
increased," says Daniel J. Clauw, M.D., director of the U-M Chronic
Pain and Fatigue Research Center and professor of rheumatology at the
U-M Medical School, and an author of the new paper. "These studies
indicate that fibromyalgia patients have abnormalities within their
central brain structures."

In a 2003 paper in the journal Science, a U-M team reported that a
small variation in the gene that encodes the enzyme called
catechol-O-methyl transferase, or COMT, made a significant difference
in the pain tolerance, and pain-related emotions and feelings, of
healthy volunteers. Researchers also have found that individual
mutations in the COMT gene are related to the future development of
temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD or TMJ, a condition
related to fibromyalgia.

Together, these studies about COMT and numerous studies with animals
suggest that pain sensitivity is determined at least in part by a
person's genetic makeup, Clauw says.

The authors note that there are some legitimate areas of debate
regarding fibromyalgia, including disagreements about how precisely it
should be defined and whether people with the condition deserve
compensation. But none of those disagreements should detract from the
acceptance of it as a condition causing real pain, they say.

###
Reference: Current Pain and Headache Reports, Dec. 2006, pp. 403-7.

Millions of Americans in Pain

2006-11-25T09:27:00.000-05:00

Millions of Americans in Pain
Most Common Pains Are Low Back Pain, Migraine or Severe Headache, Joint Pain
By Daniel DeNoon
WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Nov. 15, 2006 -- Each month, one in four American adults suffers pain for at least 24 hours. That pain lasts for a year in nearly three-fifths of those over 65 and in 37% of those aged 20 to 44.

These numbers are why the CDC has made pain the focus of this year's annual report card on U.S. health.

The painful facts:

In a 2004 survey, more than one in four American adults reported low back pain in the last three months.
In 2004, 15% of American adults reported migraine or severe headache in the past three months.
In 2004, about one-third of adults over 18 and half of adults 65 and older reported joint pain, joint aches, or joint stiffness in the past 30 days. The knee is the most common site of joint pain.
Use of narcotic pain drugs is up. During 1988-1994, 3.2% of Americans took narcotics for pain. That percentage rose to 4.2% in 1999-2002.
Recent low back pain makes it five times more likely that a person will suffer serious psychological distress.
The most common pains are low back pain, migraine or severe headache, and joint pain.

Other facts from the CDC's Health, United States, 2006:

American girls born today can expect to live more than 80 years. An American boy's life expectancy is just short of 75 years.
The gap in life expectancy between white Americans and black Americans has narrowed. The gap was seven years in 1990 and five years in 2004.
The average cost of health care for Americans is $6,280 a year.
In the last year, 7% of American adults under age 65 passed up needed health care because they could not afford it.
Heart diseaseHeart disease is still the No. 1 killer of Americans -- but between 2000 and 2004, U.S. heart-disease deaths dropped by 16%.
Deaths from America's No. 2 killer -- cancercancer -- dropped 8% between 2000 and 2004.
More and more Americans suffer diabetesdiabetes. Diabetes strikes 11% of Americans aged 40 to 59 and 23% of Americans aged 60 and older.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCES: National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, Health, United States, 2006. News release, CDC National Center for Health Statistics.

Long-term pain hits 1 in 10 Americans, CDC reports

2006-11-22T03:28:00.000-05:00

Long-term pain hits 1 in 10 Americans, CDC reports

Nov 16 (Reuters) - One in 10 U.S. adults suffer pain that lasts a year or more, according to government statistics released on Wednesday.
But Americans are living longer, with life span at a record average of just short of 80 years, according to the annual report on the nation's health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"At birth, life expectancy for females is just over 80 years and nearly 75 for males.

"The gap in life expectancy between white and black Americans also has narrowed from seven years in 1990 to five years in 2004," the CDC said in a statement.

"Life expectancy at birth reached a record 77.9 years in 2004, up from 77.5 in 2003 and from 75.4 in 1990."

But the bad news is that fully a quarter of American adults say they have suffered a day-long bout of pain in the past month, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the CDC.

Lower back pain is among the most common complaints, along with migraine or severe headache, and joint pain, aching or stiffness, the survey found.

"We chose to focus on pain in this report because it is rarely discussed as a condition in and of itself -- it is mostly viewed as a byproduct of another condition," said Amy Bernstein, the researcher who led the study.

More than a quarter of adults interviewed said they had experienced low back pain in the past three months.

Migraines or severe headaches affected 15 percent of adults in the past three months, and 4.2 percent of adults had used a narcotic drug in the past month for pain relief.

The report found that U.S. health care spending averaged $6,280 per person in 2004.

Infant mortality fell to 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004, down slightly from 6.9 deaths in 2003.

For adults, heart disease remains the leading killer, but deaths from heart disease fell 16 percent between 2000 and 2004, the report found.

Deaths from cancer -- the No. 2 killer -- dropped by 8 percent.

But diabetes is worsening and 11 percent of adults aged 40-59 years have diabetes - 23 percent of those 60 and older, according to the report, available on the Internet at (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm ).

Publish Date: November 16, 2006

Coping with Holiday Lonliness

2006-11-21T15:33:00.000-05:00

Coping With Loneliness
From Cathleen Henning, www.panicdisorder.about.com

Accepting it and moving on when the time is right.
Loneliness may be painful and even frightening, and it may indicate a need for introspection. Have you been feeling lonely for a long time? Perhaps it's time to make some changes; it is possible to feel less alone. Loneliness is not a sign that you have failed or that you will never have people in your life. It may take effort to change the way you feel, but you can do it. Here are several suggestions for learning about your loneliness:

1. Accept it.

There are many steps you may take to help yourself feel less alone, but before you take those steps, stop and think about how you are feeling. Loneliness is an emotion, and, as with other uncomfortable emotions, we often want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Sometimes, though, these kinds of emotions may be learning tools. Before rushing to eliminate loneliness, think about how you came to feel this way. Changes are most likely in order, but think about the changes that will suit your individual needs.

Sometimes, too, no change will eliminate loneliness. People may feel lonely even when surrounded by loving friends and family. Time may be the only solution. You are not flawed for feeling lonely, and, if you accept the feeling, you will find that it is not as uncomfortable as you first thought.

Remember, too, that being alone and feeling lonely are not the same. If you are alone these days but enjoying it, then don't feel as if you must change because other people don't understand. Do, however, be sure that you have a support system and that you are available to friends and family.

2. Reach out.

If you had people to contact, you may be thinking, then you wouldn't be lonely. Sometimes, though, when we are immersed in loneliness, we may forget about all of our options.

First, think about everyone you know and have ever known. Maybe you think a certain friend or relative wouldn't want to hear from you. Think again -- you may be surprised. Try contacting them and see what happens next. Be sure, however, to have a list of possible contacts, just in case the first doesn't go as planned. Think of old friends, too. You don't even have to tell them you're contacting them because you're lonely. Just reach out and communicate, and you'll start to feel better.

Second, if you truly believe friends and family aren't an option, then reach out to people you don't know. You're already on the Internet, and your options here are endless -- from chat rooms to forums to games to pen pals.

3. Help someone else.

A great way to spend time with people and feel good about your contribution to the world is by volunteering. If your anxiety disorder is keeping you from volunteering in a traditional way, use your imagination. Even going to an online forum and giving support to someone else who is lonely is a significant way to help. If you are ready to volunteer outside your home, look to places that will be anxiety-friendly: churches, hospitals, daycare or pre-schools, and nursing homes, are some examples.

4. Pursue your interests.

Meet people who like to do what you like to do by becoming involved in your hobbies and interests. If you already have a hobby that tends to be solitary, such as needlework, look for local classes or groups where you may meet other people as well as learn more about your craft. If you've thought about an interest for a long time but have never followed through, consider starting now. Look at your local newspaper for classes, groups and meetings, if you need ideas. Take a nature walk. Attend a lecture at a local museum. Take a cooking class. If you're not sure what your interests are, just start participating until you find what you love.

5. Join -- or start -- a support group.

Look around for an anxiety disorder support group. Ask your therapist, check the local newspaper, and contact local hospitals. If there aren't any for anxiety, try a depression or 12-step group. Consider starting your own support group if you can't find one; you'll be helping yourself and other people. If you need a place to have meetings, contact local churches which often have space.

If you're not sure how to cope with your loneliness and you feel that it's making you depressed, talk to your therapist about it (or get a therapist if you don't have one). Talking about it may help you explore other issues or come up with unique ways to cope with your individual feelings

How to Survive the Holidays FM Style!

2006-11-17T00:58:00.000-05:00

How To Survive the Holidays
From Karen Lee Richards www.about.com

The holidays are supposed to be about love, joy and peace. Instead, too often they end up producing guilt, stress and conflict. This can be especially true for people with illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, who may struggle just to cope with everyday life. Throw a holiday and additional family pressures into the mix and life can quickly become overwhelming. With a little preparation though, you can get through the holidays and even enjoy them! Here are 10 steps, plus a few tips to help you survive this holiday season.

Here's How:
Examine your expectations.
When you think of the holidays, what picture comes to mind? Does it resemble a scene from a Normal Rockwell print? If so, it’s time for a reality check. Few holidays ever live up to the idyllic images in those pictures. It’s time to accept the fact that you can’t do everything you once did. Are the holidays really about elaborate decorations and frenetic activity; or are they about expressing your love and appreciation for family and friends? Now is the time to set new expectations based on what is most important to you.

Refuse to feel guilty.
Guilt develops when you fail to live up to your own expectations, or you feel like you haven’t lived up to the expectations of others. The fact is you have a very real physical illness that limits what you can do. It’s time to stop blaming yourself because you can’t do everything you used to do or because you can’t do everything you think your family expects you to do. Make the decision right now that you refuse to accept any guilt feelings. Remember that the holidays are not about how much you do, but are about expressing your love for your family.

Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Communicating clearly with your family ahead of time is key to a happy holiday season. Sit down with your family and explain that you want everyone to enjoy the holidays, but you have some physical limitations. Decide together what aspects of the holidays are most important to all of you and enlist their help with the things that you can’t do. Some family members may not understand at first, but don’t allow yourself to be pushed into doing more than you can handle. Try to remain calm but be firm.

Prioritize your holiday activities.
Every family has its own holiday traditions. List all of your family’s possible holiday activities then ask each person which activity they consider the most important (i.e., decorations, big home-cooked meal, baking cookies, visiting with relatives, etc.). Number them in order of importance. Focus your energy on the things that are most important. For each item on your list, decide: if there is an easier alternative, if someone else can take the responsibility, or if it’s not really necessary.

Plan ahead.
A big part of holiday stress comes from the last-minute rush to get everything done. Start planning as early as possible. Make a list of everything you need to do and figure out the easiest and best way to accomplish each task. Work on a portion of your list each week. Know that things will go wrong and you’ll probably have some days you don’t feel well enough to do anything. Be sure to allow extra time so those bad days don’t throw you completely off schedule. By not waiting until the last minute to do everything, hopefully you’ll have enough energy left to enjoy your holidays.

Share the workload.
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Don’t be a martyr. Ask each family member to take responsibility for part of the preparations. If you can afford it, hire someone to help you clean the house. Pay a student to address cards or help you bake. If everyone is coming to your house for dinner, ask each person to bring a side dish or dessert – then you can just prepare the main dish. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Simplify.
For every item on your “to do” list, ask yourself these questions: Does this really need to be done? Is there an easier way to do it? Can I get by with doing less? (e.g., instead of baking 12 kinds of cookies, make your family’s three favorites; put up fewer decorations or decorate fewer parts of the house.)

Find alternatives.
Try to think outside the box. For every holiday task, try to think of an alternative that would be easier and less stressful for you. Instead of fighting crowds at the mall, do your shopping online or from catalogs. Rather than cooking a big meal, consider having your holiday dinner at a restaurant. If everyone usually comes to your house, ask another family member to host the festivities this year. Be creative and make things easier on yourself.

Schedule time to take care of yourself.
This may be the most important step of all. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything that needs to be done and making sure everyone else is taken care of that you forget to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re taking time to eat healthy foods and keep up with your exercise program. And be sure to schedule time to do whatever is most relaxing and refreshing for you, whether that is soaking in a warm bubble bath, getting a massage or curling up in bed with a good book. Take time to pamper yourself.

Enjoy!
Remember that the holidays are to be enjoyed. You’ve done the best you can do, so it’s time to let go of the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” and just have fun. Happy Holidays!

Tips:
If you’re traveling out-of-town to spend the holidays with relatives, think about staying at a hotel for at least part of the time. Having your own separate space where you can escape to and rest when you need to will reduce your stress and give you a sense of control.

If the hubbub and pressure of holidays with lots of relatives is more than you can handle, consider taking your immediate family away for the holidays. A holiday vacation to a ski resort, a dude ranch or Disney World can be a wonderful and fun family time. As an added bonus, you don’t have to cook, decorate or entertain guests. And you can probably get by with less shopping, too, because all your gifts will have to be packed.

Instead of baking 10 different kinds of cookies, have a cookie exchange party. Invite nine friends and ask each to bring five-dozen cookies made with their favorite recipe. Each guest then takes home a half-dozen of each cookie. It’s easier (and cheaper) to make a larger quantity of one kind of cookie than smaller quantities of several kinds. You can adjust the number of guests and quantity of cookies to whatever you would like.

Got the doc to sign the papers!

2006-11-14T16:05:00.000-05:00

One of my lasts posts was about my concern as to whether my doctor would sign the paperwork to get a handicap parking placard for my car. I was worried that he would say no. But I basically worried for nothing and my doc today signed the appropriate page for me to get the placard.
I am very lucky to have a doc like this. It also makes me feel terrible that there are people out there with chronic pain that aren't as lucky to have doctors who are sympathetic to their issues to help them. This is partially why I created this blog. To give people hope that there are doctors out there who do care about you and want to help you to the best of their ability. I wish I could share my doctor with those of you who have an uncooperative doctor and teach your doc how to treat chronic pain patients.
Good luck to all of you!
Oh I forgot to mention, I decided against getting the Rhizotomy for my right side. I basically feel that the pain I feel for the right side does not warrant the amount of pain I will be in after the procedure! So now I am just stuck with a bum hip on the left side!

When to get a disabled parking placard?

2006-11-02T08:47:00.000-05:00

That is the question I am asking myself the last few days. Ever since my Rhizotomy back 6 weeks or so ago, my left leg gets painfully weak and tired. Then I am left in agony for the rest of the day just for doing "normal people" errands like grocery shopping and picking up my meds. If you need to do both.....oh brother are we in for it!
So as I said, now I am finally coming to a decision about accepting that I can't "do it all" anymore. Now don't get me wrong, I just don't want one just to have one. I would like to have it for times when it gets really bad.
Also I am set for next week to get my right side Rhizotomy done. If this left side recovery is any indiction as to how it will go, I am going to need that placard. Especially since my left side is not quite healed and I have SI joint and sciatic problems. Walking is going to be an adventure that is for sure.

Interesting new study

2006-11-01T06:51:00.000-05:00

Long-Term Treatment with a Staphylococcus Toxoid Vaccine in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
by Carl-Gerhard Bottfries, et al
ImmuneSupport.com

11-01-2006

Journal: Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Vol. 13(4) 2006 pp. 31-43. [Published online ahead of print. Article copies are available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: docdelivery@haworthpress.com ; Website: http://www.HaworthPress.com.]
Authors and affiliation: Carl-Gerhard Gottfries, Ove Häger, Björn Regland, Olof Zachrisson. Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Gothenburg Sweden. [E-mail carl-gerhard.gottfries@vgregion.se]

One hundred and sixty patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, who were on a continuous treatment with a Staphylococcus vaccine, were followed during one year with repeated consultation visits. The patients had participated in controlled studies and been on continuous treatment with the vaccine for 22+/-10 months before inclusion in this follow-up study. They were treated with 1 mL of the vaccine subcutaneously every third to fourth week. Adverse events were few. The adherence to the treatment was very good. Over a period of one year, 8% withdrew, and in only 5%, the withdrawal was due to insufficient clinical effect. Only in two cases where the patients were allergic to the preservative of the vaccine, the side effects caused the withdrawal of the treatment.

Ratings with scales (CPRS-15 and FibroFatigue) showed improvement from start of treatment and also further improvement during the follow-up year. In view of the natural history for these disorders the result is of interest.

Normalcy in an Arthritic World

2006-10-29T06:59:00.000-05:00

People With Disabilities - Living In A "Normal World"
From Carol & Richard Eustice
www.arthritis.about.com

Overcoming Annoyances

People With Disabilities Want To Live Life

People with disabilities live in a world designed primarily for the able-bodied. People with disabilities want to live life no differently than anyone else. They want to be able to go shopping, go to the movies, go out to eat, work, and enjoy life, fully realizing that must be done within the boundaries of their limitations.

Acceptance

Accepting disability and redefining life within the limitations imposed by disease is the biggest hurdle for people with disabilities. There are harsh realities. Expensive equipment and medications may be required. Mobility scooters, adapted vans, voice-recognition software, orthotics, medical treatment, and myriad types of assistive equipment improve daily living for people with disabilities but it all comes at a price. While life becomes more expensive, too often the ability to work diminishes. Financial security takes a big hit. An uncertain future can make a person fearful.

Arthritis: Fearing The Future

Adjust And Adapt

Adapt and adjust becomes the mantra of a person living with a disability. People with disabilities may be forced to change careers or not work at all. They may be forced to relinquish some of their independence.

There are experiences some able-bodied people may take for granted which people with disabilities must forgo. Disabled people may miss out on:

the joy of rough-housing with children
playing competitive sports
traveling
long road-trips

Crowded events become daunting, social situations become uncomfortable. Do you put yourself out there or risk being covered by the veil of isolation?

The Veil Of Isolation

Subtle Realities Vs. Harsh Realities
What can be more frustrating than harsh realities are subtle realities for people with disabilities. Living with disability is difficult but can sting even more when people encountered are:

impatient
rude
insensitive
inconsiderate
pessimistic
unhelpful

Impatient people try to rush people with disabilities through life. A man who was behind me in the grocery line one day tried to unload my cart for me. The gesture would have been welcome if it had been rooted in kindness, but it was obvious I was moving too slow for him in this fast-paced world we live in.

Arthritis Can Create Awkward Situations

Inconsiderate people can be found using handicapped bathroom stalls and handicapped parking spots, facilities specifically designated for people with disabilities. Inconsiderate people do not hold doors open, a simple action that can make things much easier for a disabled person.

Rude and insensitive people are often found staring at people with disabilities. They seem to not like what they see, or imagine themselves in the role of the disabled person. It creates an uncomfortable situation unless you ignore the person who is staring.

What's Behind The Stare?

Demanding people and those who lack understanding about the realities of your disability can also be provoking. A friend of mine had a surgical procedure which restricted her driving for a period of time. My friend's mother called to tell her she needed to go to the store, disregarding the restrictions that were given to my friend. She had to tell her mother she couldn't help her.

Pessimistic people can annoy and be hurtful. Pessimistic people focus on the negative aspects of having a disability instead of trying to build up, encourage, and praise the accomplishments of people with disabilities. Pessimistic or negative people don't want to learn about the realities of living with disability. They have preconceived ideas and often treat physically disabled people as if they are faking or lazy. Even worse, negative people sometimes treat physically disabled people as if they have no abilities at all.

Unhelpful people are yet another category of people who can annoy and frustrate disabled people. For able-bodied people, most tasks are effortless. The same task for a disabled person is perhaps an impossibility. Changing lightbulbs or air conditioner filters, scrubbing showers, getting a large load of groceries - it's just part of daily living. Who does it for the disabled person, especially one who has collected on all of the favors owed to them?

Declare Your Independence

Surround Yourself With Positivity

What you can control, whether you are able-bodied or disabled, is yourself. All humans face challenges, it's just that people with disabilities face different challenges. You will not rid the world of impatient, rude, insensitive people, but you can control how you react to them.

Impatient people cause you to be more patient.
Insensitive people cause you to be more sensitive.
Negative people cause you to react with positivity.

For each negative person you encounter, you have many more positive encounters. Surround yourself with people, things, and experiences which make you feel good and do good. Do you deserve less than that?

Arthritis Rising

2006-10-24T15:35:00.000-04:00

Arthritis Rising: Are You at Risk?

Extra Pounds, Idle Lifestyles May Make Arthritis More Likely
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Medical News www.webmd.com
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD on Thursday, October 12, 2006

Oct. 12, 2006 -- Arthritis is on the rise in the U.S., with no signs of a slowdown. But you might be able to buck that trend, says the CDC.

First, the numbers. Picture a graph with a line headed upward, and you've got the basic idea.

More than 46 million U.S. adults -- over 21% -- say they've been told by a doctor that they have arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia.

About 8% of U.S. adults -- more than 17 million people -- say arthritis or joint symptoms hamper their activities.

That's according to CDC statistics from national health surveys done from 2003 to 2005.

Those figures were lower in 2002.

Back then, nearly 43 million adults said they had doctor-diagnosed arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia; slightly less than 8% said arthritis or joint problems limited their activities.

By 2030, arthritis will affect 67 million U.S. adults, the CDC predicts.

Those statistics appear in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Who's Affected

Arthritis is most common in the following groups:

Women
Older adults
Whites (compared with blacks and Hispanics)
People who are overweight or obese
People with sedentary lifestyles
After adjusting for age, people with low education levels and people who are obese or physically inactive were the most likely to say arthritis and joint problems limited their activities.

Remember, the CDC's findings are based on self-reports of doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

The researchers didn't check participants' medical records. They also don't know how many people have undiagnosed arthritis.

What You Can Do

Shedding extra pounds and becoming more active may give you an edge against arthritis.

For instance, 31% of obese adults and 21% of overweight (but not obese) adults said they'd been diagnosed with arthritis, compared with 16% of leaner adults. (Not entirely true...I weighed less and was in more pain than the weight I am at now about 50 pounds heavier.)

A quarter of those who were physically inactive said they had doctor-diagnosed arthritis, compared with nearly 20% of physically active adults.

The surveys didn't directly test weight lossweight loss or physical activity as ways to prevent arthritis. But other studies have.

Extra weight puts more stress on joints. And joints that get little use may feel more stiff and painful than if they get used.

Of course, you shouldn't pound your joints with overblown exercise, and you shouldn't sacrifice nutritionnutrition to lose weight. So check with your doctor before starting a new diet or exercise program.

If you already have arthritis, ask your doctor what you can do to manage your condition.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCES: CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Oct. 13, 2006; vol 55: pp 1089-1092. News release, CDC.

Anxiety and Chronic Illness

2006-10-24T15:29:00.000-04:00

Anxiety Disorders Closely Linked to Physical Conditions, Study Finds
From Cathleen Henning,Your Guide to Anxiety & Panic Disorders. www.panicdisorder.about.com

People with anxiety disorders have an increased chance of developing physical conditions, particularly thyroid diseases, respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, arthritis, allergies, and migraine disease, researchers report in the October 23, 2006 Archives of Internal Medicine. Additionally, the presence of a physical condition along with an anxiety disorder increases the chance for disability and poor quality of life.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, led by Dr. Jitender Sareen, decided to explore the connection between anxiety disorders and physical conditions. Although depression has been linked to physical illness for quite some time, the association between anxiety and illness is much more recent. Additionally, according to the researchers, a number of the existing studies were limited in different ways, thus possibly affecting the outcomes.

Sareen and his colleagues decided to use the results of the German Health Survey (GHS), a survey of 4181 adults ages 18 to 65, conducted between 1997 and 1999, to assess the association between anxiety and illness. The survey used several tools to assess physical health, psychological health, and quality of life. These questionnaires and interviews were conducted by physicians and psychologists; additionally, medical tests were conducted to evaluate participants for illnesses.

The GHS showed that 8.4 percent of the participants had an anxiety disorder. This is consistent with the National Institute of Mental Health's finding that approximately 8 percent of the population has an anxiety disorder. Using the GHS, Sareen and his colleagues discovered several significant associations between anxiety disorders and physical illnesses:

Anxiety disorders were associated significantly with physical conditions. Below are the percentage of people with each physical illness who also had an anxiety disorder:
Respiratory diseases - 15.2
Gastrointestinal diseases - 18.8
Arthritis - 10.7
Allergic conditions - 12.0
Migraine disease - 20.3
Thyroid diseases - 14.8

Of the individuals with both anxiety disorders and physical conditions, the majority developed the anxiety disorder first.

Those with both anxiety disorders and physical conditions were more likely to have a poorer quality of life as well as be disabled (unable to perform normal daily activities) at some point.
Although the researchers point out a need for future studies (particularly as the age range in this study was 18-65), they did offer some possibilities for why anxiety disorders and physical conditions may be so closely connected:
A physical illness, particularly if life-threatening, may cause increased anxiety eventually leading to an anxiety disorder.

An anxiety disorder may lead to an increased chance of illness as the result of biological changes caused by the anxiety disorder.

An anxiety disorder may lead to another disorder, such as substance abuse, which in turn causes a physical illness.

A medication for a physical illness may bring on or increase anxiety symptoms.

There may be common genetic, environmental, and/or personality factors that connect anxiety disorders and certain physical conditions.
Whatever the reasons are for these connections, the researchers make clear that physicians need to assess for anxiety as well as depression when treating patients for physical conditions. "Although there have been increased efforts to recognize and treat depression in the medically ill, our findings underscore the need to create similar programs to recognize and treat anxiety disorders in the medically ill," the researchers wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

References:
1) "Facts About Anxiety Disorders." 11 May 2006. National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed 20 Oct 2006 .
2) Sareen, Jitender, et al. "Disability and Poor Quality of Life Associated With Comorbid Anxiety Disorders and Physical Conditions." Archives of Internal Medicine 166(2006): 2109-2116.

Updated: October 23, 2006

Psychiatric ills common in adults with fibromyalgia

2006-10-21T00:30:00.000-04:00

Psychiatric ills common in adults with fibromyalgia
Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:52 PM BST
By Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many people with the chronic pain disorder fibromyalgia have also suffered from depression, anxiety or other psychiatric conditions at some point in their lives -- suggesting, researchers say, that the disorders have some common causes.

In a study of 336 adults with and without fibromyalgia, researchers found that those with the condition were substantially more likely to have ever had depression, bipolar disorder or an anxiety disorder. They also had higher rates of eating disorders and substance abuse problems.

In most cases, the psychiatric condition preceded the development of fibromyalgia, making it unlikely that the mood disturbances were simply a reaction to having chronic pain.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome marked by widespread aches and pains, fatigue and sleep problems, among other symptoms; the cause is unknown, and there are no medications specifically approved for the condition. Treatment usually involves a combination of approaches, such as painkillers, antidepressants, behavioral therapy or exercise therapy.

The new findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, are based on a comparison of families with members affected by either fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, another condition marked by chronic pain.

Between both groups of families, there were 108 adults, nearly all women, with fibromyalgia and 228 without the condition.

Overall, those with fibromyalgia were almost three times more likely to have ever had major depression and nearly seven times more likely to have suffered an anxiety disorder. They also had a two to three times greater risk of eating disorders and substance abuse problems, and a much higher risk of bipolar disorder.

The associations between fibromyalgia and these psychiatric conditions suggest that there is some "shared vulnerability" at work, according to study chief Dr. Lesley M. Arnold, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

"We are not saying that fibromyalgia is a psychiatric disorder," Arnold told Reuters Health.

Rather, some people may be vulnerable to developing both fibromyalgia and certain psychiatric disorders -- possibly because of genes, Arnold explained, or because of environmental factors such as chronic stress. But no one yet knows for certain.

Still, the evidence suggests that people with fibromyalgia should be screened for psychiatric disorders, according to Arnold. Even when people aren't currently suffering any psychiatric symptoms, their mental health history can influence how their fibromyalgia is treated, she noted.

For example, Arnold explained, medication with both antidepressant and pain-relieving effects might be the first choice for people with a history of depression. Another option is cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses harmful thought patterns and behaviors; this approach, Arnold said, might help fibromyalgia patients with a history of depression or anxiety disorders.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, August 2006.

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Tips for Treating Pain

2006-10-21T00:26:00.000-04:00

Thanks msnbc.com
Tips for Treating Pain
An estimated 50 million Americans have chronic pain and nearly 25 million suffer acute pain each year. How to find relief.

Web Exclusive
Newsweek
Updated: 2:01 a.m. ET Oct 8, 2006
Oct. 8, 2006 - Practice Healthy Habits
Get adequate rest, eat a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise. (Ask your doctor which exercises are safe for you.) Relaxation techniques like meditation, visualization, hypnosis, and biofeedback may also help you feel better.

Care for your Emotional Health
People in chronic pain have been found to have an increased incidence of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Your physician may want to prescribe medication or may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy (like relaxation techniques and psychological therapy). It may also help to share your thoughts and feelings with loved ones and to join a support group. (The American Chronic Pain Association, among others, has support groups throughout the country).

Know Your Treatment Options
There are many options for treating your pain beyond prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Complementary and alternative therapies include biofeedback, meditation, relaxation techniques, yoga, acupuncture and physical therapy. There are also interventional treatments for specific types of pain (like electrical stimulation and injections). Ask your doctor which is best for you.

See a Pain Specialist
You can ask for a referral from your primary care physician. Many professional physician organization web sites also have listings of their members available (see the links below).
Source: The American Pain Foundation

Other helpful links:
American Academy of Pain Medicine
American Academy of Pain Management
American Academy of Neurology
American Board of Pain Medicine
American Medical Association
American Pain Society
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
American Chronic Pain Association

© 2006 Newsweek, Inc.

Thanks to some new medicine....

2006-10-09T07:45:00.000-04:00

I have been down for the count since Thursday. Between PT and new mental health providers I have been a very busy girl. You see, my old psych nurse practitioner decided to stop prescribing medication and has also slimmed down her practice for counselling. She was only available two days a week and on top of that I was only able to see her once a month. Nice huh? Well I started with two new professionals last week on top of trigger point shots with a new doc (my regular doc is away for Ramadan) and PT right after.
Oh the price of Fibromyalgia. I may be on disability but my full-time job is going to doctor's appointments.

Theraputic Massage...big fat ouch!!

2006-09-28T08:15:00.000-04:00

Okay, normally a massage is nice and relaxing but theraputic massage is a whole different kettle of fish! First...it hurts like a mother! It hurts to get it done and it hurts after.
There are different types of massage so people with FMS should be careful when they go to a massage session.
Thanks to Wikipedia for the information.

Types of massage
There are well over 150 types of massage therapy. Various styles of massage have developed from a number of sources.

Barefoot Deep Tissue
Barefoot Deep Tissue is a blend of Eastern barefoot techniques with Western manual medicine. Clients are typically loosely clothed and lain on floor mat in supine, prone and side-lying positions with pillows or bolsters. No oil is used. Sessions may last 2 minutes or well over an hour. Because the therapist can apply a broad range of pressure with ease and does not have to strain, more effort and concentration can be used to sense and manipulate tissue, release fascia, as well as search for and attack trigger points and other problems, regardless of client's size or build. John Harris, the proceleusmatic mentor who worked in the 1984 Olympics and developed this modality, states that the combination offers a potent new tool for powerfully satisfying, effective deep tissue massage and Trigger Point work regardless of client's size or build. Mr. Harris and Fred Kenyon wrote Fix Pain in 2002, and have been hired by Human Kinetics to write a trade publication with DVD for elite athletes.

Bowen therapy
For more details on this topic, see Bowen Technique.
Bowen Technique involves a rolling type movement over fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.

Breema
Breema bodywork is performed on the floor with the recipient fully clothed. It consists of rhythmical and gentle leans and stretches which leads to deep relaxation, increased vitality, and stimulation of the self-healing processes of the body. Sessions can be any length of time, although 50 minutes is common. There are also self-Breema exercises. The essence of Breema is expressed in the Nine Principles of Harmony. The Breema Center is located in Oakland, California, and there are Breema practitioners and instructors in many locations around the world.

Chair massage
Chair massage, also known as Corporate Massage, is by far the most convenient method of massage therapy. A chair massage session typically lasts 12-24 minutes, and is performed while fully clothed. Chair massage promotes better circulation, muscle stimulation and stress relief. This form of massage reduces tension in the back, neck, shoulders, head, arms, hands, legs or feet, providing a deep relaxation effect.

Chair massages are also advantageous because chair massage practitioners will frequently make work- or housecalls. Chair massage can also be done in hotels, airports and convention centers.

Chinese Tui Na massage
For more details on this topic, see Tui Na.
Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage that is similar to Zhi Ya, but focusing more on pushing, stretching and kneading the muscle.

Chinese Zhi Ya massage
Zhi Ya is a form of Chinese massage based on acupressure. It is similar to Tui Na massage except it focuses more on pinching and pressing at acupressure points.

Deep muscle therapy
Deep muscle therapy (created by Therese Pfrimmer), is a massage technique that focuses on using a very specific set of movements applied to all muscles and concentrating on all layers of the muscle that have become depleted of their regular blood and lymphatic flow. This technique aims to restore the circulation with its healing properties to the cellular level. Deep muscle therapy is widely used to treat the following ailments: carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back pain, headaches, poor circulation, whiplash, and more.

Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Starting superficially and easing into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement. This is the recommended approach in this modality since each person experiences pressure differently. If the pressure is applied too deeply or too quickly, the muscle may tighten to protect that area, and unnecessary damage or inflammation can be induced. Very little lubricant is used as the pressure doesn't travel much over the skin.

The most commonly used 'tools' during deep tissue massage may include, 3 and 6 fingers, reinforced fingers, a flat elbow, opposing thumbs, the heel of the hand or foot, and the forearm. See also: Myofascial Release

Effleurage
Effleurage (from the French effleurer, 'to skim over') consists of long, flowing or gliding strokes, performed with open hands. In many massage sessions, effleurage is used as the initial type of stroking, as it has a calming effect when performed slowly. Effleurage is usually performed in the direction of the heart to promote circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Erotic massage
Erotic massage is a form of massage that includes the genitals and leads to sexual arousal and (sometimes) orgasm. Widely practiced by couples as part of lovemaking. Also sometimes practiced commercially, which may be illegal in some jurisdictions. See also Tantramassage.

Esalen Massage
The basis of Esalen Massage is traditional massage, which works in a very precise manner on the muscle and circulation systems. This is combined with the bodywork approach developed by Charlotte Selver, which emphasizes the deeply relaxing and emotional responses of the body when a conscious, structured and pleasant touch is applied. In addition, gentle rocking of the body, passive joint exercises and deep structural work on the muscles and joints, together with an energetic balancing of the body, are all part of this Esalen Massage “experience”.

Foot or sole massage
Foot massage, as practiced by the Chinese is performed in the context of chi, in that each spot on the sole of the foot corresponds to an internal organ, and the applied therapy is healing to one's overall well being. The theory supposes that an ailment of an internal organ will be associated with the nerve ending on the sole of the foot.

Before the massage, the patient's feet are soaked for about ten minutes in a foot bath, typically a dark colored solution of hot water and Chinese herbs. The massage therapist uses liberal amounts of medicated cream, to moisturize the foot and to provide lubrication. The knuckles on the therapist's hand are usually used to provide a hard and smooth implement for the massage. As pressure is applied to the sole, theory holds that a healthy patient should not feel any strong pain. Painful spots, reflexologists believe, reflect illnesses of other parts of the body. The practitioner rubs and massages the painful spots to break down rough spots and accumulated crystals and increase circulation.

The ailments are healed when the sore spots of the sole are treated and removed by massage. Based on this theory, some shoe liners are made with pressure points to stimulate the soles of the feet to promote better health of the overall body. The nature of these "crystals" has yet to be elucidated or demonstrated scientifically. Regardless of the actual correlation of reflexology to internal organs, many enjoy it for the mix of stimulation and relaxation.

Lomilomi — Traditional Hawaiian Massage
Lomilomi massage is an ancient art from the Hawaiian healing specialists. They were taught their art over 20 years and received their last instructions from their master on his death bed. There are hundreds of styles of Lomilomi, the main ones being the style of Big Island which was passed on by Aunty Margaret Machado, and Maui style from Uncle Kalua Kaiahua. On the island of Kaua'i, Kahu Abraham passed on what is today called Kahuna Bodywork. It is not clear if other current practices - temple style, lomi lomi nui and others - are from Native Hawaiian practitioners or are modern adaptations.

MA-URI massage
MA-URI is a new form of massage introduced by Hemi Hoani Fox in 1990, who cites as its roots Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi Nui dance, claiming increased so-called energy flow within the body and mind. Focus is internal, upon breathing, intent, and concentration. Claimed benefits include mental and physical health. Study and advocation is primarily carried out at the MA-URI Institute, headed by Hemi and Katja Fox. It is currently difficult to find practitioners, though this may change as it grows more popular.

Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
Reciprocal Inhibition (RI) is when the therapist uses a client’s muscle to stretch the opposing muscle. The therapist takes the muscle that they are wishing to stretch to its point of bind. The therapist then gets the client to use the opposing muscle by moving away from the therapist. When the client relaxes the therapist then moves the muscle to realign the muscle fibres therefore stretching the muscle.

As an example, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) Reciprocal Inhibition (RI) can be applied to the calf when the client is lying supine on the treatment couch. The masseur can place one hand on the tibia just below the knee to isolate the knee preventing it from moving. The other hand is placed around the heel so that the masseurs forearm can be used to dorsiflex the foot. This is one of the techniques used by sports massage therapists.

Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia and integument, muscles, and bones, with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. Injuries, stress, trauma, overuse and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Myofascial release frees fascial restrictions, and allow the muscles to move efficiently. This is usually done by applying shear, compression or tension in various directions, or by skin rolling. This is one of the techniques used by sports massage therapists and physical therapists. Myofascial release originators come from Physical Therapy and from Structural Integration (Rolfing); its current developers include John Barnes PT from a Physical Therapy background, and from a Rolfing or Structural Integration background, Art Riggs, Michael Stanborough, Tom Myers, Til Luchau, and others.

Myoskeletal alignment technique
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique (MAT) identifies postural distortions to improve and prevent pain conditions. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and myofacial techniques are used to lengthen tight/facilitated muscles while fiber activation techniques tone weak/inhibited muscles. MAT was developed by Erik Dalton.

Neuromuscular therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is used for pain relief and specific problems. Structural and postural imbalances are identified through an initial postural assessment. These are then addressed through systematic and site specific massage. NMT reduces pain, tension, postural imbalance, and lengthens and strengthens tissues. NMT was developed by Paul St. John.

Petrissage
Petrissage (from the French petrir, 'to knead') is one of the five basic strokes of a Swedish massage. It is performed with kneading movement with the whole palm or finger tips, wringing, skin rolling, compress and lifting. Petrissage is usually applied vertically to the muscle tissue.

The benefits include the warming of tissue for deeper work, increase circulation, increase the supply of nutrients and oxygen to muscle, softens superficial fascia, decreases muscle tension, and restoring mobility by decreasing adhesion.

Scalp massage
In some barber shops in Hong Kong, scalp massage often lasts 30 minutes to 45 minutes during shampooing of the hair. It is also very common in India, after applying oil on the hair.

Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage that uses thumb pressure and workes along the energy meridians in the body also with a lot of streches the same meridians as acupressure. You are worked on fully clothed on a mat on the floor. It is uncertain whether it originated from Chinese Zhi Ya.

Soft Tissue Therapy
The Assessment, Treatment and Management of Soft Tissue Injury, Pain and Dysfunction. Treatment techniques include:

Trigger point therapy for the alleviation of trigger points.
Myofascial (muscle and fascia) therapy for flexibility/mobility of the connective tissues of our body, or for alleviating fibrous adhesions and decreasing the severity of scars.
Broad handed techniques for reducing swelling or inflammation
Frictions for the ridding of adhesions between fascial layers, muscles, compartments and the like. Frictions also promote healing in tendon pathologies as well as decreasing pain perception.
Sustained pressure (digital pressures) to alleviate hypertonic (tight)areas within muscle and fascia
Other techniques such as Active Release Therapies, Myofascial Release and deep tissue massage are all derivatives of the techniques above. They are NOT unique techniques with unique results.
Stretching - static, dynamic, and/or PNF stretches (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)
Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
Exercise Prescription
Advice:
This is one of the techniques used by sports massage therapists.

Stone massage
Massage in which hot or cold stones, usually basalt or marble, are used to massage the body. Often the stones are placed on key energy points, such as Chakras or meridians, in order to improve energy flow and healing.

Structural muscular balancing
A gentle and effective technique that releases chronic contraction in the muscles. The nervous system is triggered to release contractions through compression applied to muscles placed in a shortened position.

Swedish massage
This style utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart.Swedish massage is designed to increase circulation and blood flow. There are six basic strokes:effleurage,petrissage,friction,tapotement,compression and vibration.Oil, cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes. This style of massage is generally attributed to the Swedish fencing master and gymnastics teacher Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839).However, it was in fact the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger (1838-1909) who adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes under which he systemized massage as we know it today, as Swedish or classic massage. Somehow, the term Swedish Movement System was transposed to Swedish Massage System sometime during the second half of the 19th century. Ling’s system was the Swedish Movement System or Swedish Gymnastic Movement System. This may be how he has become incorrectly associated for so long with Swedish massage. In Sweden, the term "Swedish massage" is not used.

Tai Ji Massage (Tai Chi Massage)
Tai Ji / Tai Chi Massage is massage using the natural principles of Tai Ji, Yin and Yang to achieve balance in the energies of the body, leading to a healthy mind body and spirit.
Tai Ji / Tai Chi The traditional Chinese term refers to the Dao, which is the inexpressible oneness and connectedness of all things. This is inexpressibility of Tao is referred to by Lao Tzu:
Chapter 32
"The Tao is constantly nameless….
As soon as we start to establish a system we have names.
And as soon as there set names,
Then you must also know that it's time to stop"
Te Tao Ching
Translation by Robert G. Hendricks. Ballantine books 1989
Qi/ Chi: This is the linking element material and spiritual (Jing and Shen), or in health terms mind and body.
Chinese medicine is often able to treat sicknesses and problems which are difficult to treat by western medicine by virtue of the fact that they consider the state of the Chi to be an important factor in diagnosis.
Qi Field theory: Qi appears as a field. In order for a sickness to become chronic an integral Qi field establishes itself in the body of the host. The shape and size of this field is variable and can stretch from head to toes in some cases.
Tai Ji Massage Qi Diagnosis: Tai Ji Massage is a Qi treatment and it makes a treatment in terms of Qi. The master practitioner can sense the Qi blockages inside the body and the relationship which they have to each other.
Qi blockages can be a way of getting insight into causes of chronic sicknesses, recurring sicknesses, psychosomatic sicknesses, future sicknesses.
The main use of this techniques is, relaxation and self-exploration, and in a therapeutic way, funtional organ problems, chronic sicknesses and psychosomatic sicknesses.
Tai Ji Massage was developed by Richard Wickes, Li Cun De.

Tantramassage (Tantric massage)
Original Tantramassage is a new form of massage developed in the early 1980s by Andro, Andreas Rothe an experienced Tantra and Bodywork Teacher in Berlin, Germany. The method includes various massage techniques, elements from Bioenergetic, Yoga and Sexualtherapy. The word "Tantra" emphasizes the connection with the old Indian cultural background where the body is seen as the temple of the soul. Clients are in a passive role, supported by breathing techniques they experience a very deep and intense journey through their own body. Every Massage session lasts 90 Minutes or longer. The Tantramassage movement is very popular in Germany and Switzerland, some practitioners are organized in the Association of Tantramassage in Germany.

Thai massage
Known in Thailand as นวดแผนโบราณ (Nuat phaen boran), IPA which correctly translates only as ancient massage or traditional massage, this form of massage is also known as Thai ancient massage, traditional Thai massage, Thai yoga massage, yoga massage, Thai classical massage, Thai bodywork, passive yoga or assisted yoga. It is usually soothing because of its emphasis on stretching and loosening the body. Its roots go back far into history, originating in India based on the Ayurveda, and then becoming popular in Thailand.
Originating in India and drawing from Ayurveda, it has inevitably incorporated modalities like yoga. The receiver is put into many yoga like positions during the course of the massage. In the northeren style there are a lot of stretching movements unlike the southern style where pressure is emphasised. It was believed that the massage art was brought over to Thailand by Shivago Komarpaj (Jivaka Kumarabhacca), a contemporary of Buddha almost about 2500 years ago.
The massage recipient changes into pajamas and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. (It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in the same large room). The massage giver leans on the recipient's body using hands and forearms to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the taker's body. The massage generally follows the Sen lines on the body-somewhat analogous to Chinese Meridians and Indian nadis. In some gestures, legs and feet of the giver are used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other gestures, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. Usually no oil is applied. A full course of Thai massage typically lasts two hours or more, and includes pulling fingers, toes, ears etc., cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, arching the recipient's back in a rolling action etc. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to the massage. Sometimes in a large group massage, the practitioners do the procedures in unison.
Note: The traditional therapeutic practice of Thai massage should not be confused with the sexual service of the same name that is available in some hotels and brothels.

Trigger point therapy
A trigger point is an area of a muscle (about 50 cells) that may refer pain sensations to other parts of the body. Trigger Point Therapy applies manual pressure, or CO2 injections, to these points. With the proper pressure, duration and location, immediate release of tension and improved muscular functioning may occur. This therapy has been known to diminish migraine pain, mock sciatica, mock carpal tunnel syndrome and other pain syndromes, and other symptoms that may have been misdiagnosed. This work is based upon the trigger point research and manuals of Dr. Janet Travell, President Kennedy's physician.

Sometimes this work is incorporated into other styles of massage therapy such as neuromuscular therapy (NMT) or even Swedish

Psychiatric ills common in adults with Fibromyalgia

2006-09-27T00:34:00.000-04:00

Thank you www.pain.healthcentersonline.com for the article. Considering I suffer from FM, depression and anxiety disorder, I thought this article was right on the money!

Psychiatric ills common in adults with Fibromyalgia

Sep 21 (Reuters Health) - Many people with the chronic pain disorder fibromyalgia have also suffered from depression, anxiety or other psychiatric conditions at some point in their lives -- suggesting, researchers say, that the disorders have some common causes.

In a study of 336 adults with and without fibromyalgia, researchers found that those with the condition were substantially more likely to have ever had depression, bipolar disorder or an anxiety disorder. They also had higher rates of eating disorders and substance abuse problems.

In most cases, the psychiatric condition preceded the development of fibromyalgia, making it unlikely that the mood disturbances were simply a reaction to having chronic pain.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome marked by widespread aches and pains, fatigue and sleep problems, among other symptoms; the cause is unknown, and there are no medications specifically approved for the condition. Treatment usually involves a combination of approaches, such as painkillers, antidepressants, behavioral therapy or exercise therapy.

The new findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, are based on a comparison of families with members affected by either fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, another condition marked by chronic pain.

Between both groups of families, there were 108 adults, nearly all women, with fibromyalgia and 228 without the condition.

Overall, those with fibromyalgia were almost three times more likely to have ever had major depression and nearly seven times more likely to have suffered an anxiety disorder. They also had a two to three times greater risk of eating disorders and substance abuse problems, and a much higher risk of bipolar disorder.

The associations between fibromyalgia and these psychiatric conditions suggest that there is some "shared vulnerability" at work, according to study chief Dr. Lesley M. Arnold, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

"We are not saying that fibromyalgia is a psychiatric disorder," Arnold told Reuters Health.

Rather, some people may be vulnerable to developing both fibromyalgia and certain psychiatric disorders -- possibly because of genes, Arnold explained, or because of environmental factors such as chronic stress. But no one yet knows for certain.

Still, the evidence suggests that people with fibromyalgia should be screened for psychiatric disorders, according to Arnold. Even when people aren't currently suffering any psychiatric symptoms, their mental health history can influence how their fibromyalgia is treated, she noted.

For example, Arnold explained, medication with both antidepressant and pain-relieving effects might be the first choice for people with a history of depression. Another option is cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses harmful thought patterns and behaviors; this approach, Arnold said, might help fibromyalgia patients with a history of depression or anxiety disorders.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, August 2006.

Publish Date: September 21, 2006