Category: Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) affects the entire body, which makes the diagnosis challenging! A VERY common issue with patients struggling with FM includes problems related to sleep. This goes beyond the number of hours one “tries to sleep” but rather the quality of sleep and feeling “restored” in the morning. That is, quality is more important than…

Fibromyalgia (FM) affects the entire body, which makes the diagnosis challenging! A VERY common issue with patients struggling with FM includes problems related to sleep. This goes beyond the number of hours one “tries to sleep” but rather the quality of sleep and feeling “restored” in the morning. That is, quality is more important than…

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that is characterized by widespread pain, fatigue and an increased pain response. Symptoms can include tingling of the skin, muscle spasms, weakness in the arms and legs, nerve pain, muscle twitching, bowel disturbances, chronic sleep disturbances, and more. So, what can cause such a widespread, whole body condition? Though the…

In the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, there is an article that evaluated the effects of Class IV lasers on fibromyalgia pain in women.  The study was done in a rheumatologist and chiropractic clinic with 38 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  These women were treated 2x/week for 4 weeks.  The authors found that there is…

Fibromyalgia (FM) has quite a history! There is evidence that dates as far back as Hippocrates in ancient Greece, when he described a mysterious condition affecting the muscles which portrays FM quite accurately! FM is a complex condition that includes fatigue and chronic muscle, tendon, and ligament pain that is wide-spread (NOT contained to one…

Fibromyalgia (FM) management involves many treatment approaches. As was pointed out last month, the importance of sleep quality, hormonal balance, infection management, nutritional supplementation, exercise and more was discussed as the “SHINE” approach. This month, we are going to explore how important diet is in the management of FM. It’s been said that one of…

Fibromyalgia (FM) management can be as difficult as making a definitive diagnosis. FM is characterized by generalized body aches and feeling exhausted, and yet, in spite of the exhaustion, the inability to sleep is a “classic” FM complaint. Some have referred to FM as “blowing a fuse” or as an “energy crisis,” as more energy…

Neurotransmission is the method by which nerves “speak” to each other so impulses can be sent from one part of your body to the brain and back. For example, when you touch a hot plate by accident, it doesn’t take long before you quickly let go of the plate. The reason you let go quickly…

Last month, we focused on how important sleep is in the management of the fibromyalgia (FM) and the relationship between sleep dysfunction and Restless Leg Syndrome. Now that it’s clear that the sleep and FM pairing is so important, how can we improve sleep quality? As stated last month, FM and sleep dysfunction go hand…

Fibromyalgia (FM) and sleep dysfunction seem to go hand in hand. In fact, most people who have FM complain of problems associated with sleeping. Sleep problems can include difficulty falling asleep with or without waking up one to multiple times a night. Also, the inability to reach “deep sleep” results in waking up un-restored. People…