Curious about fibromyalgia clients - a poll

[Jack A]

I took a pretty intensive seminar a few years back regarding fibromyalgia patients and the issues surrounding it. As well as I recall, there is usually a psychological component and the allopaths came up with the "certain number of pain points" as a general descriptor. Problem with the "pain point model" is that there is enough of a population of people who don't have fibromyalgia that still show the pain points.

I'll try to take some time to pull our my notes and books on the subject and get some better and possibly researched information for you.

(Please PM and remind me, if I forget! )

 

[view93846]

I was reading a book about Trigger Point work (the author is devotee of Travell) and believes that fibro sufferers are dealing with so many TPs that it's near impossible to know where the problem starts. Is it the neck?, back?, jaw?, pecs?

I believe too that there is a psychological component to it but that's just my opinion.

 

[Jennie]

How often do you have a male fibromyalgia client and how do they differ from females?

I have some male clients that I think have fibro, but they haven't been to a Dr. to get an official diagnosis. Females seem to go and get the diagnosis. That is about the only difference I have noticed.

Do your fibromyalgia clients receive regular body work or do yoga, meditation, etc to manage their condition?

Most of my Fibro clients do receive regular massages, but don't do yoga or other relaxation techniques. Part of the personality - sometimes.

I was reading a book about Trigger Point work (the author is devotee of Travell) and believes that fibro sufferers are dealing with so many TPs that it's near impossible to know where the problem starts. Is it the neck?, back?, jaw?, pecs?

So true! I went in to get my latest massage (last Friday) I was feeling pretty normal, but once my therapist started, there wasn't a place on me that wasn't tight and painful. Every place has a issue and it is just part of the illness.

I believe too that there is a psychological component to it but that's just my opinion.

I have been suffering from a burning sensation in my right SCM since a car accident about 3 years ago. Nothing I had tried worked to get it gone.
I started trading for acupunture. After sharing some things with the Acupunturist and getting few treatments, we have pinpointed that the burning was a result of my emotional distress from this accident. As I continue with the treatments and work on my own to release the anger - I have not had the burning sensation for a while now. I didn't realize that I had held all that anger in.
I also didn't realize who much other stuff I was holding in. I have noticed that is a common trait shared with my Fibro clients.

Personally - I get regular massage and chiropratic (once every two weeks) and regular acupuncture (new for me - but working great).
All three work well for my physical and mental pain - the acupuncture has done a lot for the emotional and mental pain too. They all work together to achieve a balance in me.
I have been feeling much better and that makes you see the world differently. As well as my attitude has improved too.
I haven't been officially diagnosised with Fibro - but from my experience and what I know about myself - I just treat myself as I do. The diagnosis wouldn't change anything for me.

 

[Stormy]

I believe too that there is a psychological component to it but that's just my opinion.

I believe there is a psychological component to all physical conditions.

I really have to catch myself with my clients presenting chronic pain because I will automatically think "psychological/energetic" to get to the route of the problem....but I don't really venture there with my clients unless they bring it up. I do have a "Body Talks" chart and several chakra charts on my wall though in case any clients are interested.

I have worked with two fibro clients. One came to me once. She was a mother of adult children who had messed up lives and she was the "glue" that held the family together....a martyr type. The other was a Type A who knew how she wanted to be massaged (really hard) and seemed to want to schedule regular appointments with me, but showed up at her third appointment 30 min late (I had left at that point) she seemed irritated that I had not waited, and never rescheduled.

There was another lady I worked with who wasn't diagnosed with fibro...but acted like a fibro....she held herself very rigid, never relaxed on the table, didn't see any progress after two months, and stopped making appointments.

I don't think I'm at a place in my life to work with those conditions anyway, because I do judge and dwell on the psychology/energetic side of things....so it's all the better for me if fibro and severely symptomatic clients find their way to more "medically" trained MTs if they want to keep their condition medical.

 

[loki]

i talked with someone once who believes that there's a connection between using heat and fibro patients. it was real interesting to hear him and his reasoning. made perfect sense. i can't recall how he specifically described it but it had something to do with the connective tissue being like "shrink wrap" through the body after using either a heating pad (laying on top of it) or taking really hot baths. something about the pressure and the heat on the sacrum area of the body. i talked to about 7 people all with fibro and they all stated that yes, they either took long, hot baths or did use heating pads on their low backs. interesting stuff!