Fibryomyalgia is defined by the Na-
tional Fibromyalgia Association as a
common and complex pain disorder
that affects people physically, men-
tally and socially. It is characterized
as a syndrome rather than a disease
because there is no specific cause.
People who suffer from Fibromyalgia
are conditioned to live with mental
and physical pain on a daily basis.
Individuals suffer an average of five
years before diagnosis, often because
they are afraid of sounding crazy or
their doctor is baffled by the over-
whelming issues. Symptoms are not
uniform and affect people differently,
leaving no established pattern for your
doctor to follow.
Continuing to live, work and
socialize in pain is no way to live. If
you think you may suffer from Fibro-
myalgia or Chronic Fatigue, there are
a few steps you can take to ensure an
Fibromyalgia, Pain or
accurate diagnosis and proper treat-
ment. It is crucial to document your
days, creating your own symptom
Chronic Fatigue?
journal that you can bring when you
seek help. Your medical history should
also be examined. A manual “tender
Stop Feeling
point” exam is a common test used
to determine muscle, joint and bone
sensitivity.
A test that your conventional doc-
Sick and Tired
tor may not perform, but you will find
in naturopathic care, is a food allergy
test (blood testing is most thorough).
by Paul stallone, Nmd
Some controversial food allergies have
been associated with Fibromyalgia,
D
o you feel pain that is unexplainable? Do you feel like no one under- and naturopathic doctors have a back-
stands? Are you feeling worse not better as time goes on? Do you suffer ground in nutritional biochemistry
from any combination of the following? giving them an advantage in working
with this condition. Hormone testing
is another way to determine deficien-
• Chronic fatigue • Painful periods or abnormal
cy and course of action for treatment,
• “Brain” fatigue
PMS in women
as hormone imbalances also can point
• Numbness and tingling
• Sleep problems (not feeling to Fibromyalgia. It is also common
• Recurrent headaches (can
well rested, disturbed sleep) for patients to suffer from imbalanced
feel like migraine or tension
• Depression or anxiety
chemicals and weakened immune
headaches) • Abdominal pain
functioning. There are several ways
you can seek answers. Be an active
• Muscle twitches • Deep muscle pain (can be
part of the process, and most impor-
• Muscle pain (may feel like
described as stabbing, burn-
tantly, be assertive about your health
you pulled a muscle)
ing or throbbing pain)
and happiness.
• Chest pain
• Irritable bowel or bladder
The naturopathic approach to
treatment encapsulates total mind,
body and spirit well being. Reli-
34 Phoenix
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