Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain

Book excerpt: A guide to coping with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome • Reveals how to deal with each disorder and how treatments can interact or aggravate if more than one disorder is present • Offers techniques to dispel the side effects created by these illnesses Fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome are often seen as interchangeable conditions, a belief held even by many health care providers. Nothing could be further from the truth--however, they do often coexist. Knowing if more than one of these disorders is present is extremely important because the treatment for one of them can often exacerbate the problems caused by the others. Written by a registered nurse and a psychologist who has been treating these conditions since 1994, this book presents an integrative medical approach to these three disorders with a strong emphasis on utilizing and strengthening the mind-body connection to restore well-being. The authors provide a thorough guide to numerous treatment options--from diet, exercise, and herbs to mindfulness meditation, chi kung, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They also offer techniques to dispel the “brain fog” that these disorders often create and show how to overcome the resultant obstacles to effectively communicating with your doctor. The additional information included on the psychological issues that accompany these chronic pain disorders allows this integrative treatment guide to open the door not only to physical recovery but also emotional and mental well-being.