12 Months and 14 Fibro Musings by The Pained Ink Slayer

As fibromyalgia awareness month winds down, I am reminded of all the wonderful work of advocates and fellow bloggers. However, this month is a difficult one for me personally, because I also have chronic migraine; and the unstable atmosphere of spring weather is a trigger I cannot control. Fibromyalgia and its partners can be more than a physical challenge. For instance, a special PAINS-KC meeting I looked forward to attending was side railed because of what would end up being a 14-day status migrainosus. And, I can’t remember doing an interview for May awareness that I did not have migraine. Unintentionally, this introduction is also a segue to June headache and migraine awareness month, stay tuned.

What I write is rooted in my personal quest for help. I have learned to forgive myself for the things I can’t control and to embrace adversity. I realize that good days for others are spectacular to me. I hope you find something that is helpful for you.

Note: For future reference, archived blogs are in the right column of this page, Celeste’s freelance articles are in the header tab Celeste’s Publications, and this particular blog will be linked in the header tab Fibro Musings.

  

Just published! 7 Tips for Reclaiming Control over Fibromyalgia

Ways we can manage the effects of fibromyalgia on our central, autonomic, metabolic, and immune systems…

9 Reasons Tai Chi Reduces Pain and Promotes Health

Explore the types and benefits and practices tai chi, dubbed “medication in motion” for those of us living with chronic pain…

Fibro-mates, GI Disturbance, and Hypnosis

There is a well-documented bidirectional pathway between the brain and gut. Read about fibro-mates, IBS and GERD, and evidence on supportive therapies of the mind…

​Pitfalls and Pleasures of Therapeutic Massage for Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain

Determining the most beneficial type of therapeutic massage or bodywork relies on our understanding of the differences between fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. What massage techniques can help?...

Science, Fibromyalgia, and Exercise

What type of movement is showing promise for managing our fibromyalgia? You might be surprised to see the recent evidence…

Does Rare Disease—EDS—Plague Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia and EDS (hEDS = EDS hypermobile type) share connections you might not have considered…

3 Tips for Reducing Stress in Fibromyalgia

What you may not know about your symptoms, stressors, and management tools…

Myofascial Pelvic Pain in Men and Women with Fibromyalgia

About the male and female fibromyalgia pelvis, pain and the myofascia, diagnosis to treatment…

Update: Fibromyalgia FM/a Blood Test and EpicGenetics Landmark Clinical Research

Genetic studies on fibromyalgia are underway with the assistance of the University of California, UCLA, and University of Illinois at Chicago using the FM/a blood test to identify participants.

Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Dysfunction

Thyroid problems can co-exist with and/or sometimes mimic fibromyalgia, the science, medicine, and awareness...

Lymphatic Massage, Clogged Drains and Fibromyalgia Pain

To understand why manual lymphatic massage is beneficial for those of us with fibromyalgia, we must first understand how it works.

The Lessons of Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Why does myofascial pain become chronic? What causes the chronic pain of fibromyalgia? Does myofascial pain sustain fibromyalgia pain? Difference between a trigger point and tender point, and more...

Casting Light on the Shadow of Fibromyalgia: Finding the cause

The FDA "Voice of the Patient", getting unstuck, the biology of body matter, immune cells, and noteworthy news...

It’s a Battlefield: Bruising and Fibromyalgia

Are your arms and legs like battlefield magnets? Do your extremities look like a world atlas? For those of us with fibro, there might be an explanation to why that is.

Criteria and Chaos: Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

Disparity, agreements, 2016 Revisions to the 2010/2011 Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria appear to address previous concerns, and now conclude...

Don’t miss:

The Pain Advocate’s Corner: How to Raise Your Voice

(also permalinked in the header tab of The Pained Ink Slayer).

“To unleash victory, I must have an open mind and willing heart,

judge not, embrace change, and be a steadfast observer of self.”

In healing,

Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate

Think adversity?-See opportunity!

http://www.CelesteCooper.com

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Learn more about Celeste’s books here. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others. 

Lymphatic Massage, Clogged Drains and Fibromyalgia Pain

In 2015 investigators Yuan SL, Matsutani LA, and Marques AP noted lymphatic massage as the most helpful type of massage for fibromyalgia. So what is lymphatic massage and why is it important to our health?

The lymph system

To understand why manual lymphatic massage is beneficial for those of us with fibromyalgia, we must first understand how it works.

Courtesy PrintableDiagrams.com via Google

The purpose of our lymph system is to maintain fluid balance in our body’s tissue. Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid around our body and through our lymph nodes where cellular trash is filtered and collected. Special blood cells, called macrophages, then digest the cellular debris before recycled lymph fluid is returned to circulation as plasma, the liquid part of blood.

Unlike our blood circulation, our lymph system is passive. This means circulation of lymph fluid depends solely on contraction of surrounding muscles during exercise, body movement, deep breathing, and properly functioning organs. When movement is disrupted, excessive lymph accumulates leading to swelling, called edema, and a buildup of toxins in our tissue. 

As a nurse and a patient, I know the important role of the lymph system. I have idiopathic edema—a fancy way of saying “yes, you are swelling, but we don’t know why”. In 1994, Deodhar AA, Fisher RA, Blacker CV, and Woolf AD concluded that rheumatologists should be aware of fluid retention syndrome and fibromyalgia. I couldn’t find any recent data on this. But, I suspect this type of swelling in fibromyalgia could be due to immune system dysfunction as identified by the FM/a® blood test. Because of this long-standing issue, I had to get creative when recovering from skin cancer surgery on my leg. I knew I needed to optimize my already damaged immune system so I could heal.

For any number of reasons, our lymph system sometimes needs help to reduce swelling. That’s where lymphatic massage comes in.

What is lymphatic massage?

Lymphatic massage, also known as Vodder Lymphatic Massage, was pioneered by Dr. Vodder it in the 1930’s for treating chronic sinusitis and other immune disorders. The therapist manipulates the body externally through massage, which opens lymphatic ducts and helps reduce stagnation and generalized swelling. Lymphatic massage encourages the flow of lymph fluid through muscles and tissues and into the lymph system for circulation. 

Manual Lymph Drainage (Vodder Technique) massage requires special training. You can find a therapist at Dr. Vodder School of International.

*There are some health conditions where massage should be avoided.

Additional reading:
Exercise and the Forgotten Lymph (from my website)

Leg Circulation, Skin Cancer and My Second Pump?

BODY-WORK: The Anatomy’s’ Labor of Love

In healing,,Celeste

"Adversity is only an obstacle if we fail to see opportunity."

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Celeste Cooper, RN

Author—Patient—Freelance Writer at Health Central & ProHealth —Advocate

Celeste’s Website: http://CelesteCooper.com

Learn more about Celeste’s books at her website or find links here on Celeste's  blog. Subscribe to posts by using the information in the upper right hand corner or use the share buttons to share with others.

All blogs and comments are based on the author's opinions and are not meant to replace medical advice.  

October is Physical Therapy and Massage Awareness Month: Focus, Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain Therapy

The Physical Therapist

Not all physical therapists are created equal.  If you suspect you have myofascial triggerpoints (MTrPs) or myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), it is extremely important that you do some investigating before you ask your physician for a referral.  A physical therapist that understands the myofascia, what trigger points are, and what they can do is imperative.  The specially trained physical therapist may or may not be one who specializes in sports injury, but they should be educated about myofasical pain syndrome.  If they are specially trained, they can offer active release therapy, myofascial release, or other muscle targeted therapies and education to help you get you back on the road of recovery.

The Massage Therapist or Body Worker

There are many types of massage used for different reasons and massage is gaining favor as a therapeutic intervention for those with chronic pain.  Because there is one particular problem that is inherent in most if not all chronic pain conditions, we are focusing on trigger point massage. A good MTrP therapist or body worker understands the work of the pioneers in myofascial medicine, Dr. Janet Travell, and Dr. David Simons. You might be able to find one who is part of the NAMTP (NationalAssociation of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists)  or ask for a referral from an integrative pain specialist in your area.  Before you make an appointment you should first ask, “Do you have, or are you, trained in the work of Travell and Simons.”

Experts tell us that to get the most benefit, it is important to learn how to do self therapy between professional sessions. Your physical therapist, specially trained massage therapist, or body worker, and even some integrative pain specialists can show you how to do this or make referrals to materials that teach you.

If you have had a long standing history of MPS, and trigger points that have been neglected, it will take perpetual work to get and keep myofascial trigger points under control, but don’t give up.

So, what is a trigger point?

Trigger points are knotted up muscle fibers in a taut band of muscle. They are EASILY felt unless behind bone or other muscles, or the band of muscle affected is too tight, in which case "specific myofascial therapy," must be used to loosen up the taut band of muscle in order to isolate the specific myofascial trigger point (MTrP) causing pain, dysfunction and radiation of symptoms in a specific pattern associated with that specific MTrP.

Common Abbreviations© 

• MPS: myofascial pain syndrome 
• CMP: chronic myofascial pain
• MTP: myofascial trigger point 
• TrP: trigger point 

•  From Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN and Jeffrey Miller PhD

What do MTrPs do?

Myofascial trigger points can mimic many things and cause pain, dysfunction, and shortening of the muscle affected by this knotted up muscle fiber. Numbness and tingling, burning, certainly pain, can all result from a MTrP which is entrapping a nerve. These symptoms can be local or radiate in a specific pattern that remains consistent among all patients. Circulation/temp changes can occur if MTrPs are located next to a blood vessel, and swelling can develop if the MTrP is located next to a blood or lymph vessel).

You can learn more detailed information about trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome on my website here. 

What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

The development of trigger points can occur from usual muscle strain or injury, surely you or someone you know has woken up with a “crick” in their neck.  Generally, these are isolated events that can be easily and successfully treated. But, when trigger points start to develop in all four quadrants of the body, and they persist for over three months, it is important to consider the existence of myofascial pain syndrome.  Myofascial pain syndrome has been found in many if not most chronic pain conditions, including but not limited to, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue/myalgic encephalomyelitis, migraine, spinal degeneration, teeth grinding, restless leg syndrome, TMJ, interstitial cystitis, irritable bladder, arthritic joints, and can result from post surgical scaring. When not treated by a therapist who understands the work of Travell and Simons, the patient does not get any lasting relief.

The pain that exists because of trigger points depend upon the location of trigger points and you can refer to the links following to decide if you need to know more about trigger points and how they can affect the body and various diseases.

There are many dedicated physical therapists and myofascial body workers that dedicate their lives to helping you.  Many times the therapies they use to treat you can put them at risk for developing myofascial issues, whether they work specifically with the myofascia or not. So please take the time this month to tell them thank you.

Following are few articles written with you in mind:

• Defining Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs)
• Neck Pain, Migraines, and Myofascial Trigger Points
• Are FM Tender Points Really  Myofascial Trigger Points
• Costochondritis vs. Myofascial Trigger Points 
• Scream “4,”Cervicogenic Migraine and Myofascial Triggerpoints: June Awareness 
• Exposing the Cover Up of Myofascial Trigger Points inFibromyalgia, Mention in CFS/ME
• Foot Problems
• EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME
• Fibromyalgia
• Pelvic Pain, Bladder Disorders, Prostate Problems, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Other Female and Male Related troubles: Is it more than co-incidence?
• Pelvic Floor Muscles and Pain-Not gender specific
• Chiropractic and massage therapy in treating fibromyalgia
• Chest Wall Pain, Esophageal Spasm, and GERD 
• BODY-WORK: The Anatomy’s’ Labor of Love. Manual therapies you might find helpful for chronic pain. 
• Human Touch: Soft Tissue and Massage Therapy in Chronic Pain Conditions
• FM Tender Points are NOT the Same as Myofascial Trigger Points

You can learn more about trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome, including various treatments known to help in “Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection.” Available from our publisher Healing Arts Press and Imprint of  INNER TRADITIONS, Bear and Company here, Amazon here,  Barnes and Nobel, here, and other major retailers. It is also available in Kindle and Nook.

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All answers and blogs are based on the author's opinions and writing and are not meant to replace medical advice.  

Celeste Cooper is a retired RN, educator, fibromyalgia patient, and lead author of the Broken Body Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See Saw of Chronic Pain devotional series (coauthor, Jeff Miller PhD), and Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection (coauthor, Jeff Miller PhD) She is a fibromyalgia expert for Dr. Oz, et al., at Sharecare.com, here, and she advocates for all chronic pain patients as a participant in the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy, here. You can read more educational information and about her books on her website, http://TheseThree.com

BODY-WORK: The Anatomy’s ’ Labor of Love Manual therapies you might find helpful for chronic pain.

by Celeste Cooper, RN

Chronic pain wears us down regardless of the source. There are many painful disorders recognized in May, and I have discussed ways to advocate and raise awareness, now it is time to say something about what we can do to help our body not only function better, but feel better too.

Self-Responsibility, “…One thing that seems to have been forgotten to a surprising degree is the lifelong plasticity of most of our bodies’ tissues, and the manner in which our whole style of living molds this plasticity in innumerable ways that could never be anticipated by the coding of our DNA.
~ Deane Juhan, author of Job’s Body: A Handbook for Bodywork

  

The myofascia covers all muscles, and it is part of the largest organ structure of the body, connective tissue. Is it any wonder so many chronic pain conditions share myofascial dysfunction?

The continuum of connective tissue for the most part is not made up from living cells, instead it is made up of fluids and fiber. Because of this, we need to help it along either manually or by stretching, keeping the life fluids going in and the waste fluids going out.

Massage therapy

Somewhere along the line, we forgot about the value of touch. As one of our major senses, touch has more than one job. It provides information to the brain regarding impending danger, and it provides feelings of comfort and caring. Massage therapy provides helpful feedback to the body and the brain, promotes relaxation, and relieves stress and physical pain and mobilizes stagnant fluid in the lymph system which is dependent on physical movement and manual stimulation.

The type of massage therapy depends upon your personal tolerance. Until your brain learns to like it, it is prudent to start with soft touch. As you progress, you should eventually be able tolerate bodywork that helps with deep muscle and joint function.

Massage therapy versus bodywork

Massage is a manipulation of the body using hands on touch therapy by stroking, kneading, and rubbing soft tissue. Massage is sometimes accompanied by aroma therapy, hot rocks, and other modalities to help you

achieve a full body experience.

Bodywork on the other hand, is a distinct therapy and requires advanced training. Bodywork targets specific areas of the anatomy that are holding back the body as a whole. It is a systematic therapy with specific goals for improving function and feelings of well-being. For instance, a good bodyworker knows how to break down restrictive tissue, such as adhesions and scars, and treat knotted up and tense muscles, thereby restoring the normal flow of blood and lymph. When you see a bodyworker, it is prudent to start with the problem that bothers you the most, pain, swelling, muscle weakness, etc.

The goal of both massages therapy and bodywork is to restore balance to the mind-body connection.

Myofascial trigger point massage/bodywork

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been associated with spinal disease, arthritis, sport injury, post surgical restrictions, migraine, chronic pelvic pain (including vulvodynia and bladder disorders), teeth grinding, TMJ, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome, TMJ, bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction and impotence, and the list goes on from there.

If you know you have co-existing myofascial pain syndrome which is identified as myofascial trigger points lasting more than three months,  specific bodywork is indicated. Read more here. 

Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are called “neurological imitators.” This explains why physicians who do not understand MPS are perplexed by what they think are unexplained tingling, numbness, or sensations of needles and pins, or other associated sensation abnormalities their patients often experience.

Myofascial trigger point pressure therapy by someone trained in the work of Travell and Simons, here,  is helpful in this instance.  You can also learn to do self treatment using tools such as tennis balls, Theracane, or Knobbers, Yoga ball, swim noodles, and a good book on self treatment, such as Clair Davies, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, forward by Dr. David Simons. (May you both RIP gentle souls).

Basically, any organ or body system can be affected by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), they can also obstruct blood circulation, nerve transmission, and lymphatic flow. Learn more about MTrPs here. 

Conclusion

Bodywork and massage therapy comes in many shapes and sizes. The good news is that the current level of thinking among medical practitioners is that it works!

The next hurdle to overcome is getting insurance to cover it as a helpful medical tool. I want you to know that people are fighting for the integration of these types of therapies and more.  Raising awareness, such as what we do at the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy, here, will help in these endeavors.

The goal of and bodywork is to keep all body parts in motion with the least amount of stress. Learn more about different types of bodywork, such as, Alexander technique, craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, myofascial release, reflexology, Rolfing, Rosen method, myofascial trigger point therapy, self treatment for myofascial trigger points, spray and stretch, acupressure, Trager work, Vodder manual lymphatic massage/drainage, and how to find the right, qualified therapist here.

You can also find helpful tips on massage and finding the right therapist in the Fall Devotions of the Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, here.

*As with everything medical, there are some risks for certain people. These include, fear of touch, bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication, burns, open or healing wounds, blood clots in the veins, fractures, severe osteoporosis (brittle bone disease), or other severe bleeding disorders. If you are in doubt, be sure to check with your physician.  

All answers and blogs are based on the author's opinions and writing and are not meant to replace medical advice.  For more information about the author see http://TheseThree.com

Check pub med for citations

As with any new therapy, discuss any risks for your particular condition with your physician first.

Answers are based on the writings/books of the author and are not meant to replace medical advice.

Human Touch: Soft Tissue and Massage Therapy in Chronic Pain Conditions

Massage therapy can be very beneficial when the right technique is artfully executed by an intuitive and skilled therapist. Touch and hands-on methods are a good adjunctive therapy in treatment of fibromyalgia, joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgias, and other musculoskeletal disorders from head to toe. The myofascia (muscle covering) is connected throughout the entire body, therefore addressing local restrictions may help with pain in other areas of the body and massage therapists understand this relationship.

If myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is present, as seen in many disorders from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue/myalgic encephalomyelitis, migraine, spinal degeneration, interstitial cystitis, irritable bladder, arthritic joints, post surgical scaring, etc, a specialized myofascial trigger point therapist is recommended. 

Myofascial pain syndrome is a great peripheral pain generator adding to the amplification of pain and upsets in brain orchestration seen in fibromyalgia, and though centralization is not discussed in chronic fatigue syndrome, there is also a brain manifestation leaving these patients at risk for many of the overlapping disorders seen in both FM and CFS and each other.  Myofascial trigger points, knotted up pieces of muscle fiber that can be easily felt unless behind bone or other muscles, they radiate pain and other symptoms in a specific pattern according to their location.  Myofascial trigger points are great neurological imitators, and prevalent in many pain disabilities. More information on MPS, FM and CFS/ME can be found at http://TheseThree.com under the disorder/diseases tab.

If you do not tolerate myofascial manipulation, gentle massage and stretch is indicated in the beginning. More pain does not indicate more gain in all cases. A good therapist will know this and work with you. The feedback we provide our brain teaches it how to respond, and it is important to know it will react according to how we teach it. Certainly, we wouldn't put a child on a bicycle without first using training wheels.

The greatest consideration is that your massage therapist becertified by a peer reviewed organization,  or in your state if your state requires such certification.

Particular hands-on therapies are discussed at length in Integrative Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, ChronicFatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, and the resource section is one of the most extensive available.

Paying it forward for chronic pain and neuro-endocrine-immune disorders. Celeste, RN, author, pain patient/activist, educator, and fibromyalgia health expert.

About the books written for you:

BrokenBody Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See Saw of Chronic Pain.

IntegrativeTherapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: TheMind-Body Connection

Contributing author to FibromyalgiaInsider Secrets: 10 Top Experts, 2^nd Ed. 

All blogs, posts and answers are not meant to replace medical advice.