Fibromyalgia

Once thought to be a psychosomatic expression, fibromyalgia is now recognized as a systemic disorder. For clients, the syndrome invades every aspect of life. It is chronic, rarely ends in remission, and has no consistently effective medical treatment. The good news is that it is nondegenerative and non progressive.

Although symptoms generally begin gradually, in some cases there is a relatively sudden onset following a specific event. Each case differs considerably in severity of pain, fatigue symptoms, and in functional ability.

Overall, fibromyalgia sufferers experience greater sensitivity, not just to pain, but also to loud noises, odors, and bright lights. There can be noncardiac chest pain, urinary urgency, sinusitis and tension headaches, excessive menstrual pain, strange sensations in arms and legs, and irritable bowl or bladder syndrome.

Because of these symptoms, people with fibromyalgia often experience serious impairment in social interaction and normal daily functioning, resulting in withdrawal and isolation and a diminished quality of life.

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, some treatments can help moderate the symptoms. Most physicians prescribe a combination of medication and non pharmacologic approaches. The most successful medications appear to be those affecting neurotransmitter metabolism at the receptor site. Antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been used with less success. Although fibromyalgia can mimic signs of inflammation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories have been found very effective in fighting pain.

The most successful strategies seem to be those that teach clients how to relax, manage stress, and gain mental control. Also, studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, can reduce some of the pain and improve muscle tone. In a recent survey of more than 300 fibromyalgia clients, it was indicated that therapeutic massage every two weeks was possibly the most effective adjunct therapy to keep them functional and employed.

The very gentle experience of Traeger approach is well received and helps the client to feel a greater sense of ease.