Fibromyalgia

I am an AYTT grad this past Nov, so you can see that any help would be appreciated. I have a new student who has fibromyalgia. She is likely in her early sixties, has great body awareness and is in pretty good shape. Any suggestions

BACKGROUND (from National Institutes of Health: www.nih.gov):

Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterized by widespread pain in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Some other problems commonly linked with fibromyalgia include fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, headaches, numbness in hands and feet, depression, and anxiety. Fibromyalgia can develop on its own, or secondary to other musculoskeletal conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia requires a history of at least three months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites. These tender-point sites include fibrous tissue or muscles of the:

Neck
Shoulders
Chest
Rib cage
Lower back
Thighs
Knees
Arms (elbows)
Buttocks

The overwhelming characteristic of fibromyalgia is long-standing, body-wide pain with defined tender points. Tender points are distinct from trigger points seen in other pain syndromes. (Unlike tender points, trigger points can occur in isolation and represent a source of radiating pain, even in the absence of direct pressure.)

Fibromyalgia pain can mimic the pain experienced by people with various types of arthritis. With fibromyalgia syndrome alone, the significant joint swelling, destruction, and deformity seen in patients with diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis does not occur.

The soft-tissue pain of fibromyalgia is described as deep aching, radiating, gnawing, shooting or burning, and ranges from mild to severe. Fibromyalgia sufferers tend to waken with body aches and stiffness.

For some patients, pain improves during the day and increases again during the evening, though many patients with fibromyalgia have daylong, unrelenting pain. Pain can increase with activity; cold, damp weather; anxiety; and stress.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause of this disorder is unknown. Physical or emotional trauma may play a role in development of the syndrome. A number of lines of evidence suggest that fibromyalgia patients have abnormal pain transmission responses.

It has been suggested that sleep disturbances, which are common in fibromyalgia patients, may actually cause the condition. Another hypothesis suggests that the disorder may be associated with changes in skeletal muscle metabolism, possibly caused by decreased blood flow, which could cause chronic fatigue and weakness.

Others have suggested that an infectious microbe, such as a virus, triggers the illness. At this point, no such virus or microbe has been identified.

Pilot studies have shown a possible inherited tendency toward the disease, though evidence is very preliminary.

The disorder has an increased frequency among women 20 to 50 years old. The prevalence of the disease has been estimated between 0.7% and 13% for women, and between 0.2% and 3.9% for men.

Symptoms

Multiple tender areas (muscle and joint pain) on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hip, shin, elbows, knees.

Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Body aches
Reduced exercise tolerance
Chronic facial muscle pain or aching

Expectations (prognosis)

Fibromyalgia is a common and chronic problem. The symptoms sometimes improve. At other times, the symptoms may worsen and continue for months or years. The key is seeking professional help, which includes a multi-faceted approach to the management and treatment of the disease. There is no proof that fibromyalgia syndrome results in an increased death rate.

Complications

Conditions reported as associated with fibromyalgia or that mimic its symptoms include: rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, cervical and low-back degenerative disease, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders, depression, cancer, and HIV infection.

ANSWERS: (some background info follows)

From: Georgia Stansell, RYT, AYTT 2000

One of the most important things I have learned in working with this population is to offer a gentle class in the late morning or afternoon as it takes them a while to get their body moving. This feedback has been consistent. Also, some folks with fibromyalgia can't handle aromas, perfume, etc.

Doing the Energization Exercises are very helpful!

Georgia

From: Heather Bostian, RYT 2001

From my experience in healing arts, I know that this is all diet related and staying off sugar, caffeine, alcohol and eating lots of greens and fruits stops the problem. If she's on pharmaceuticals, that's also a cause. Have her get a lot of antioxidants through raw foods? Then Yoga really kicks in well.

Namaste

Heather

From: Valerie Wint, AYTT Fall 2001.

A friend of mine with fibromyalgia has had good results taking calcium.

Peace

From: John Kainik- Summer 2001

Hi Karen

I can't help you from a yoga standpoint but I'll give you a few ideas. Here are the names of a couple of good books on the subject:

Reversing Fibromyalgia" by Dr. Joe M. Elrod
Fibromyalgia & Muscle Pain" by Leon Chaitow
Does she get enough calcium? (There may be other mineral deficiencies, calcium is a common one.)
If she's not too sensitive, get some massages.
Are you familiar with Chelation Therapy?
Does she have implants?
Try www.fmnetnews.com. I don't know how useful the website is just ran across it. There are other websites but none that come to mind right now.
If she has an electric blanket she might want to get rid of it.

Good Luck,

John

From Shelly Robertson:

My physical therapist believes Fibromyalgia is connected to a low oxygen intake and that deep breathing makes a big difference in how her clients feel. She related that a lot of her clients with Fibromyalgia seem to take shallow breaths, talk very quickly and are anxious. I have noticed that my yoga students who have Fibromyalgia tell me they feel great after class and I now think it might be due to the deep breathing and of course gentle Ananda style Yoga.

Shelly Robertson

Aug 1999

From: Mary A Yost, RYT ,SF AYTT 1984

There are many stages of this disease. I have been teaching a lady who has had it for 9 years and the first five were in bed. She can do very little and she uses a chair to assist her. It takes nothing to hurt her and put her in bed for a few days.

My daughter has had it too for ten years. Every part of her life is slowed down and adjusted to it.

I like to use a medical release form from the doctor to help to understand the limitations of the individual.

Yes, the breath is wonderful and is a big assistance. FIBROMYALGIA affects all parts of the nervous system......Chronic Fatigue like to join Fibro.

Fibro, I feel follows the saying "Less is Better and Less is More,".......which has always been true when my Fibro students do less and slower to the breath not the mind their body is better than not slowing down.

Namaste,

Mary RYT