fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a complex, chronic condition which causes widespread pain and fatigue as well as a variety of other symptoms. It was only in 1990 that the official diagnostic criteria for Fibromyalgia were established by the American College of Rheumatology. They include:

• Chronic, widespread, musculoskeletal pain lasting longer then three months in all four quadrants of the body.
• Pain in 11 of 18 Tender Point Sites on Digital Palpation. This means there will be sensitivity when the doctor applies pressure to any of these points: back of the neck, under the head / skull (sub-occiptal region), shoulders, forearms, elbows, chest, upper back, low back (buttocks), hips, or the inside of knees (medial knee joint)

Because routine laboratory and x-ray testing is usually normal in Fibromyalgia patients, a diagnosis requires a hands-on evaluation of a patient by a skilled chiropractic or medical physician.

:: Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia ::

• Pain
• Fatigue (fibromyalgia is closely associate with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also know as CFIDS (which stands for Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome) and with ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy)
• Sleep Disorders
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ)
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
• Chest Pain
• Morning Stiffness
• Cognitive or Memory Impairment
• Numbness and Tingling Sensations

:: Expert Individualized Treatment for Fibromyalgia ::

Through his many years devoted to understanding this condition, Dr. Simon has become an expert at managing fibromyalgia. Offering a drug-free approach, he will work with you to find the best combination of:

• Spinal adjustments
• Soft-tissue massage
• Gentle manipulation
• Restorative yoga poses
• Low-impact exercise and
• A focused nutritional plan.

This combination has proven to be tremendously beneficial.

Thanks to his acknowledged expertise in treating fibromyalgia, Dr. Simon has been chosen to lead a new Fibromyalgia Support Group meeting at Boston's St. Elizabeth's Hospital on the first Tuesday of every month.  Be sure to call for details.

:: One Patient's Relief from Fibromyalgia ::

For several years I experienced occasional pain in my joints, especially my wrists, knees and elbows. For a while I thought I had just been exercising too vigorously. But as time went by the pain became more frequent and more severe. I also noticed I was tired more often, had more frequent headaches and numbness in my fingers. I never put all these together.

A friend recommended that I see Dr. Simon. This visit changed my life, as he diagnosed the source of my problems as chronic fatigue syndrome and undertook a series of treatments that included diet, yoga and gentle manipulation. My pain was drastically reduced in just a matter of weeks. I now follow the regime he taught me and enjoy a much more active life, free of the pain that had become nearly incapacitating. Thank you, Dr. Simon!

- Hollis B., age 52

:: Join the Boston-Area Fibromyalgia Support Group ::

Who: The group is facilitated by Dr. Mitchell Simon, (Simon Chiropractic Healthcare).

When: Meetings will be held on first Tuesday of every month.

Time: 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Location:

For more info - please contact: 617-206-3250. 

For more information about Fibromyalgia including an extensive listing of local resources, please see the Massachusetts CFIDS Association.

Oregon Fibromyalgia Information Foundation: To order Dr. Clark`s excercise videos visit    http://www.myalgia.com

Fibromyalgia Network: http://www.fmnetnews.com

To see Dr. Simon's current article on support groups for Fibromyalgia patient's in NDNR (Naturopathic Doctor News & Review - August 2007)   http://www.ndnr.com

Arthritis Foundation - www.arthritis.org