Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Here's some additional information from some of my resources • Chronic pain syndrome develops as a result of having chronically negative attitudes and/or unconscious emotional response mechanisms that keep a person continually in stress. Chronic attitude problems are so much a part of a person's self-image that he or she does not recognize them as separate from the personality. Nothing is more difficult to identify than our assumed 'natural' ways of being in the world that are essentially patterns we have developed to help us cope. Certain body parts susceptible to chronic negative patterns include the spine, the stomach (as in ulcers), and the head (tension and migraine headaches). (Shealy, p. 256-266) • 6:1 in females; 25-50 years old, who tend to present as stressed, tense, depressed, anxious, striving • Stiffness represents thinking in a rigid, stiff manner. (Hay, 1984, p. 184) • Low intensity exercise may improve fibromyalgia symptoms, and patients who exercise regularly suffer less severe symptoms than patients who remain sedentary. (Wilke, W, p. 153-170; Carette, S, p. 590-594; Mengshail, AM, et al, p. 345-349) • Inflammation: fear; inflamed thinking; seeing red; anger and frustration about conditions in one's life. (Hay, 1984, p. 170-171) • Overwhelming life circumstances. (Epstein, p. 103) • Emotional needs repeatedly violated; in unproductive relationship patterns where needs not met; " sick and tired of whole situation " feel incapable of challenging source through which anxiety is generated, primarily due to fear of rejection; dynamic of emotional violation; insecurity, inability to challenge, followed by inability to speak up followed by more violation. (Shealy, p. 212) • Resistance, boredom; lack of love for what one does. (Hay, 1984, p. 164) Chinese psychophysiology: • Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); controls the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, especially the contractility of the muscles and moistening of the sinews; and reflects emotional harmony and movement. » Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement. » Liver Xu (Deficiency) signs include impotence; frigidity; pain in thighs, pelvic region, and throat; ready tendency to " the blahs " (Seem, p. 28); timidity; depression; irritability; vertigo; pruritus; dry eyes, skin, and/or tendons; asthma; aching at the waist; hernia; and difficulty raising head up and down. Liver Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) predisposes to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). » Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216) Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) often begins with Qi Stagnation. » Mental signs of Liver channel disorders include irritability; difficulty developing ideas; depression; and lack of energy. (Seem, p. 28) • Gall Bladder ~ Dan is the source of courage and initiative, and is responsible for decision-making as the bodily Minister of Justice; controls circulation of the nourishing and protecting energies [Ying Qi and Wei (Protective) Qi]; and expresses itself through the sinews (ligaments and tendons). Its channel purifies Yang energy in the body. » Healthy expressions are kindness, decisiveness, control, and spirit of initiative. » Gall Bladder Xu (Deficiency) signs include insomnia; wandering pains; chest and side pains; swollen breasts (Seem, p. 29); weakness in muscles and tendons of the legs; difficulty standing; asthenia; vertigo; chills; timidity; cowardice; indecisiveness; and excessive sighing. • San Jiao ~ Triple Warmer regulates the relations among the three regions roughly delimited by the chest, abdomen, and pelvis; influences the supply of Xue (Blood), Qi and Fluids; is the source of Wei (Protective) Qi; and relates to the function of heat regulation. » Mental signs of Triple Warmer channel disorders include emotional upsets caused by breaking of friendships or family relations; depression; suspicion; anxiety; poor elimination of harmful thoughts. (Seem, p. 28) • Spleen ~ Pi governs digestion and manifests in the muscle tissues; transforms food into Qi and Xue (Blood); governs the Xue (Blood); resolves Dampness, and relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel balanced and centered. » Healthy expressions are fairness, openness, deep thinking, and reminiscence; » Spleen Xu (Deficiency) signs include slightness (deficient " form " ); abundant elimination; morning fatigue; cold, wet feet (Seem, p. 28); abdomen taut and distended like a drum; craving for sweets; flatulence; nausea; mild edema; memory failure; heavy feeling in legs; easy bruising; pale lips; loose stools; and muscular weakness. » The excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen. This also includes excessive pensiveness and constant brooding. (Maciocia, p. 241) Likewise, inadequate physical exercise, overexposure to external Dampness, and excess consumption of sweet and/or Cold foods will also deplete the Spleen. » Mental signs of Spleen channel disorders include mental sluggishness; vertigo; melancholia; obsessions turned toward the past; fixed and rigid ideas; sleepwalking; agitated sleep; and nightmares. (Seem, p. 27) • Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will) and supports the core vitality; expresses ambition and focus; produces the bone marrow and thereby much of the immune system; and displays the effects of aging, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress. » Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance. » Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); hearing loss; fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch. » Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency). » Mental signs of Kidney channel disorders include anxiety; fear in the pit of the stomach; sadness; mental and physical fatigue; antisocial tendencies; and laziness. (Seem, p. 28) < wrote: Hi Brian, This is pretty comprehensive. However, even though fibromyalgia is considered a rheumatic condition, when I went to see a rheumatologist, he told me rheumatologists don't treat it. Also, the information I have seen states that there is no inflammation involved in fibromyalgia. Like everything else with fibrymyalgia, contradictions abound. Brian Hardy wrote: Here's additional infomation for fibromyalgia that may be helpful for you and your patients: Fibromyalgia is a soft tissue Musculoskeletal Syndrome that is similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (it differs from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in that the primary symptom of Fatigue that is experienced by CFS patients is replaced with Musculoskeletal Pain in Fibromyalgia patients). Prevalence research Fibromyalgia affects approximately 3.5% of women and 0.5% of men. Some research indicates that Fibromyalgia may affect 2% to 6% of the population. Approximately 85% of Fibromyalgia patients are young women and 90% of Fibromyalgia patients are women. Some experts claim that Fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatic condition. Women afflicted with Fibromyalgia are usually aged 20 - 60 (most commonly 45 to 55). Although Fibromyalgia is less prevalent in men, men experience more severe symptoms of Fibromyalgia. These Substances Alleviate Fibromyalgia Alkaloids Capsaicin (applied topically) alleviates the Musculoskeletal Pain associated with Fibromyalgia. research Amino Acids 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) (50 - 300 mg per day (or night)) alleviates Fibromyalgia. research Fibromyalgia patients have significantly lower levels of Creatine than healthy people (and supplemental Creatine Monohydrate may help to restore endogenous Creatine levels to normal in Fibromyalgia patients) - studies to determine whether supplemental Creatine Monohydrate could alleviate Fibromyalgia have not yet been performed. research Fibromyalgia patients generally exhibit significantly lower plasma Histidine levels compared to normal subjects. Phenylalanine (L-Phenylalanine form) improves the condition of Fibromyalgia patients (according to anecdotal reports). research Supplemental S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) (800 mg per day or more) alleviates Fibromyalgia: research - Specific improvements in the symptoms of Fibromyalgia caused by SAM therapy include a significant reduction in the number of trigger points, reduction in Fatigue, reduction in morning stiffness and improvements in Mood. Fibromyalgia patients generally exhibit significantly lower plasma Serine levels compared to normal subjects. research Fibromyalgia patients usually exhibit decreased Tryptophan transport mechanisms and usually exhibit significantly lowered Tryptophan levels (indicating that supplemental Tryptophan may be of benefit to Fibromyalgia patients). research Auxins Ascorbigen alleviates the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. research Preliminary reports indicate that Indole-3-Carbinol may alleviate some of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Carbohydrates Hyaluronic Acid (consumed orally) is claimed to alleviate Fibromyalgia. Coenzymes NADH alleviates some cases of Fibromyalgia. research Growth Factors Approximately 33% of Fibromyalgia patients exhibit low levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) - this occurs most likely as a result of insufficient release of Human Growth Hormone): research Hormones DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) alleviates many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. research Supplemental, exogenous Human Growth Hormone (administered under professional guidance) causes significant improvement in the condition of Fibromyalgia patients. research Melatonin helps to correct the impairment of Slow Wave Sleep (deep Sleep) experienced by Fibromyalgia patients. research Progesterone alleviates many cases of Fibromyalgia (according to many anecdotal reports). research Relaxin alleviates the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Relaxin depletion is speculated to be an underlying cause of Fibromyalgia. research One theory of the cause of Fibromyalgia states that it occurs as a result of a state of hypometabolism in the body’s Cells that can be corrected by supplementation with exogenous Triiodothyronine (T3) combined with regular Aerobic Exercise. Clinical studies have demonstrated that 75 - 150 micrograms per day of exogenous Triiodothyronine sometimes cures Fibromyalgia. research Lipids Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) alleviates the Inflammation of the Joints associated with Fibromyalgia. research Minerals Magnesium deficiency within Muscle Fibers is speculated to be a factor in the development of Fibromyalgia: research - Daily supplementation of 300 - 600 mg of Magnesium (especially from the Magnesium Malate form) has resulted in significant improvements in the number of tender points in Fibromyalgia patients. - Some researchers speculate that this improvement results from the Malic Acid content of Magnesium Malate rather than the Magnesium content, although there is also evidence that Magnesium contributes significantly to the effectiveness of Magnesium Malate. Fibromyalgia patients are generally found to have low Phosphorus (Phosphate) levels. research Neurotransmitters Insufficient production of Serotonin has been speculated to be a cause of Fibromyalgia. research Organic Acids Malic Acid ((2,400 mg per day combined with 600 mg of Magnesium) has caused significant improvement in the number of tender points in Fibromyalgia patients. research Polyphenols Oleoeuropein alleviates Fibromyalgia (according to the observations of many physicians). Smart Drugs Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) alleviates Fibromyalgia. research Sulfuric Compounds Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is speculated to be a valuable treatment for Fibromyalgia. research Vitamins Fibromyalgia patients generally have abnormally low Vitamin B12 levels (indicating that supplemental Vitamin B12 may be useful for the treatment of Fibromyalgia). research These Foods/Herbs Alleviate Fibromyalgia Algae Chlorella decreases the Pain associated with Fibromyalgia and improves the “quality of life” of Fibromyalgia patients. research Herbs Aloe vera (consumed orally) alleviates the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. research Olive Leaf alleviates many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia (primarily due to the Oleoeuropein content of Olive Leaf) (according to the observations of some physicians). research Saint John’s Wort alleviates some of the symptoms (Pain) of Fibromyalgia (primarily due to the ability of Saint John’s Wort to increase Brain Serotonin levels). research Other Factors that Treat Fibromyalgia Exercise Regular Aerobic Exercise provides positive (but short term) benefits to Fibromyalgia patients. research Physical Therapies for Fibromyalgia Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a popular means of treatment for Fibromyalgia. Orthodox Medical Treatment of Fibromyalgia Pharmaceutical Drugs Ibuprofen is sometimes prescribed to Fibromyalgia patients (although clinical studies have shown that Ibuprofen is no more effective than placebo for the treatment of Fibromyalgia). research Amitryptyline is sometimes prescribed to Fibromyalgia patients (although Amitryptyline provides some relief from Fibromyalgia symptoms, its long term use is discouraged due to the severe side effects associated with long term use of Tricyclic Antidepressants). These Substances May Cause Fibromyalgia Amino Acids Fibromyalgia patients are generally found to have elevated Homocysteine levels (suggesting that elevated Homocysteine could be a possible underlying cause of Fibromyalgia). research Hormones High levels of Reverse T3 are common in Fibromyalgia patients. research Viruses Prior infection by the Influenza Virus Type A has been speculated to predispose humans to Fibromyalgia at a later stage (i.e. after the initial Influenza caused by this Virus, Fibromyalgia may occur at a later date). research These Ailments May Cause Fibromyalgia (Underlying Cause of Fibromyalgia) Digestive System Intestinal Permeability is an underlying cause of some cases of Fibromyalgia. Immune System Overactivity of TH2 Helper T-Cells (known as TH2 Helper T-Cells Dominance) is one of the features of Fibromyalgia. Metabolism A decrease in Energy available for Muscle contractions and an inability of the Muscles to relax after contraction has occurred is presently believed to be the underlying cause of Fibromyalgia. With time the plasma membrane (Sarcolemma) that surrounds groups of Muscle Fibers becomes tight and thick, causing further Muscle Pain. Hypothyroidism is a possible precipitating factor (and possibly a direct cause) of Fibromyalgia. research Symptoms of Fibromyalgia A diagnosis of Fibromyalgia requires fulfillment of the following major criteria and four or more minor criteria: MAJOR CRITERIA Cells Fibromyalgia patients have been found to have a high incidence of damage to the Mitochondria of their Cells. research Musculoskeletal System The primary symptom of Fibromyalgia is chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (particlarly Muscle Pain) characterized by: peer-reviewed research - Generalized Pain or stiffness of at least three anatomic sites for at least three months. - 11 or more typical, reproducible Tender Points (the American College of Rheumatology describes 18 points over Muscles and Tendons). - Exclusion of other ailments that can cause similar symptoms. - A feeling that the Muscles and/or Joints are being “glued down”, gelling when the body is in one position for any period of time. - This Musculoskeletal Pain is often at its worst first thing in the morning (and is therefore known as Morning Stiffness) and usually lasts for more than thirty minutes. MINOR CRITERIA Digestive System Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia. 70% of Fibromyalgia patients experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is characterized by alternating Diarrhea and Constipation, Intestinal Cramps, Flatulence and Nausea. research Metabolism Generalized Fatigue (similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia. 85% of Fibromyalgia patients experience overwhelming tiredness accompanied by an inability to perform physical tasks. This Fatigue occurs without any precipitating events. research Musculoskeletal System Joint and other soft tissues Inflammation (swelling) is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Nervous System Anxiety is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia - 62% of Fibromyalgia patients experience Anxiety, Irritability and overconcern without any specific precipitating events causing these feelings. Depression is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Chronic Headache or Migraine is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia - approximately 70% of Fibromyalgia patients experience Headaches or Migraines. Insomnia and other Sleep Disorders are one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia (and are speculated to be the underlying primary cause of Fibromyalgia): research - 80% of Fibromyalgia patients have severely disrupted and insufficient quantities of Slow-Wave Sleep. Fibromyalgia patients’ Slow-Wave Sleep is often of the type known as Alpha/Delta Sleep (characterized by a mixture of Delta Waves and Alpha Waves instead of purely Delta Waves). research - It often takes Fibromyalgia patients one or two hours to fall asleep and any noise, smell or other sensory stimuli may arouse them. - Fibromyalgia patients generally sleep restlessly, waking 2 - 29 times per night and they awaken feeling stiff, sore and fatigued. - Muscles usually maintain a high level during rest and breathing continues shallow and erratic. Numbness is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Variation in symptoms associated with activity, Stress and weather changes is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Vertigo is one of the minor symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia Increases the Risk of these Ailments Musculoskeletal System Fibromyalgia patients have a greater risk of Osteoporosis. research Mis-Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia? Some experts believe that some cases of Fibromyalgia have been mis-diagnosed and that many people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia are actually afflicted with Osteomalacia. references Forms of Fibromyalgia The symptoms of both forms of Fibromyalgia are identical. Primary Fibromyalgia is Fibromyalgia where the origin is uncertain. Post-Traumatic Fibromyalgia occurs as a result of a physical injury such as a fall or whiplash. In-Tele-Health © 2002 (from Hyperhealth Pro CD-ROM) krhkempo wrote: Could anyone tell me whether they have had a similar experience: I have a couple of diagnosed fybromyalgia patients, each of whom are reporting the experience of regressing through their illness after 4 treatments. They initially feel better and then get worse. One actually reported that she felt as if she were back at the time of the onset of her illness which began after 2 consecutive car accidents. They have made no other change in their routines nor medication. It is very disconcerting yet seems almost appropriate to their initial presentation. However, I don't want to arrogantly ignore this progression. I have been using shallow needling with a minimum of small gauge needles. I have avoided herbs due to their apparent intense response to gentle treatment. Has anyone had this experience and if so how have you seen it progress?What treatment methods have you employed?Anything out of the ordinary? Ken Hoffman, D.Ac, L.Ac, CCH Arcadia Health Center 499 Federal Rd Brookfield, CT 06804 203-740-9300 Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services, including board approved continuing education classes, an annual conference and a free discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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