Fibromyalgia

I never heard of Fibromyalgia until a couple years ago, and now I hear it all the time. It's just one of those things that I have been more aware of, but I am amazed at the frequency of the condition.  Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition because first it is defined mainly as "unexplained muscle pain" - It is not a disease, and so in the medical profession, since there is no "disease" to treat - there is nothing they can do.  Many I have talked to recently have been told repeatedly "The pain is in your head".

The second problem with Fibromyalgia is that it is often misdiagnosed.  There is a Standard tender point diagnostic tool.  There needs to be 11 out of 18 points that are active.  It seems simple, but is often a challenge and not always followed  This poses as a problem because it is often difficult to reverse the diagnoses and it can hurt employment opportunities or insurance.  The most common differential diagnoses is myofascial trigger points because of its muscle pain description.  Here is a table of the two conditions:

  Fibromyalgia                                                       Trigger Points
  * Widespread pain                                               * Local pain
       (If you can't point to pain with one finger)               (Located with one or two fingers)
  * Soft and doughy muscles                                  * Hard and tense muscles
  * No radiating or referred pain                               * Radiating or referred pain
  * 5:1  more common in females                            * Equal ratio - 1:1

Fibromyalgia can be a very difficult condition to treat - especially if it is not fully understood.  Like many conditions I have recently posted, Fibromyalgia is a chronic stress condition.  It is often associated with a chronic illness or depression.  Fibromyalgia can either be the cause of these, or the result.  When one is in pain, their activity decreases and soon depression sets in.  On the other hand, depression can also create unexplained pain in the body.  They go hand in hand and are often found  together.  Being a stress disorder, Fibromyalgia is more specifically the lack of muscle metabolism. During stress, our body is in an active moment, innately to survive, utilizing our energy sources to run away from danger.  Once our energy sources are depleted, our muscles switch from aerobic metabolism into anaerobic - in this cycle the end product is lactic acid which creates muscle pain.  This is what happens when we work out, we tend to go beyond the capacity of our muscle and soon they switch into anaerobic metabolism and creates that soreness we always feel the day after.  This is normal and uneventful as long as we rest and let our muscles recover.  However, if we never relieve of our selves of stress then our muscles never recover - stuck on anaerobic metabolism and building up of lactic acid.  Our muscles are depleted of all other energy sources.  This is not something that happens over night - it is something that takes several months to even years to occur - depending on the stress levels we face.

Understanding the condition, we can now development a more appropriate treatment.  I think there are two major aspects to focus on  - stress and nutrition.  Remember, this is a chronic condition and so it will take time - up to several months to see improvement.

1.  De-stress - There are  four major ways to reduce stress in their lives.  I suggest finding at least 30 min a day using one of these activities, or maybe all four together

• Chiropractic care - stress regulated under the Autonomic nervous system.  Certain adjustments can help balance the ANS and reduce stress
• Yoga - There are some great yoga exercises that focuses on breathing techniques to help one reduce stress
• Meditation - similar to yoga and implemented into the exercises, but can be done alone and is very beneficial. Meditation can take place in many forms, either as in solitude or even as in prayer
• Exercise - this is a major benefit, but need to be done in caution.  We don't want to stress the muscles any further, so must be done with proper nutritional support and appropriate exercises must be implemented.  A low intensity exercise is best - which can be as simple as a 30 min walk.  Don't push yourself, don't do more than needs to be - or else more stress will be induced.
• Others - These four major stress reducers are necessary and need to be a committed task on a daily bases.  Once these are established, there are some minor things that can be done depending on the person's lifestyle.  These are minor (sometimes major) changes we need to make in our lives I think which can be done by an individual bases.  However, we often know what is causing our stress and we let it take over our lives.  It can be work, school ,or something going on at home.  There are some minor things as well that we don't realize, like listening to the news which only creates bad thoughts and  fear.  Sometimes we cannot eliminate some of these stressers, but we can manage them better in our lives. 

2.  Nutritional Support - The foods we eat can also create stress.  There are foods we need to avoid, like Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners (Splenda, Nutra-Sweet, anything that says Diet or sugar-free) , and Preservatives.  There may be certain foods we may be allergic to that would be helpful to be tested for.  Mainly for Fibromyalgia - this is about nutritional support.  This is about replacing the body with nutrients and energy that our bodies have depleted to help our muscles recover and to work properly again in aerobic metabolism

• Vitamin B12 and Folate - B12 is often found in meats, a small portion is sufficient.  Folic acid is mainly found in green leafy vegetables
• Acetyl L-Carnitine - Carnitine is a major component in muscle that has been lost
• Co-Q10 - This is also called Ubiquinone or Ubiquinol.  This is a major factor in aerobic metabolism.
• Vitamin D and E  - These are two vitamins often found lacking in fibromyalgia patients
• Magnesium - Magnesium is beneficial for muscles
• Others - Unfortunately for my lack of experience, there are a couple other methods that I would like to see the results for before recommending - however, I can see two other things being very beneficial for this type of condition and would be worth looking into

                   1. Guto Kola Complex - This is a Standard Process product.  This is a product that is designed                     to help with pain, inflammation, and one thing I can see it being beneficial is that is reduces oxidative stress in the body, improving aerobic metabolism. It also helps with gut ecology which would help make sure the GI tract is absorbing properly.  It seems almost too good to be true, and so I am anxious to to see the results of such a product first hand

                   2. Laser Therapy - Cold Laser therapy is designed to help with cellular metabolism.  The laser set at a certain levels communicates to certain cell receptors.  One major receptor is for the mitochondria activation to make energy.  Simply, it wakes up the cell to work again.  Laser therapy may not be a stand alone procedure to help treat fibromyalgia, but I can see it being beneficial when added to the other therapies to help the muscle wake up and work properly again.  It may be possible that the muscle has nutrients necessary, but may have been out of use for so long that it may need that reactivation to get things going again.  Just like Guto Kola, I would like to see first hand results, but is something to look into

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, or also known as Heartburn or in the medical world as GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease) is a very common condition that hundreds and thousands have dealt with.  The reason for acid reflux is still unknown and the cause is debated.  Acid reflux is the loss of tone of the lower esophageal sphincter that connects to the stomach, in which stomach acid retracts up the esophagus causing the "heartburn" or a burning chest pain.  The medical world describes the condition as too much acid in the stomach, thus prescribing or suggesting antacids.  However, the mechanism indicates a sphincter issue rather than an acid issue.  I believe many relate Acid reflux with too much acid because in many cases it is associated with eating spicy foods.  But I would like to argue a different point.  The loss of tone in the sphincter may be more of a stress induced issue.

In our nervous system, we have the parasympathetic system that controls our visceral and other functions during rest and relaxation.  The sympathetic system controls these functions during times of stress.  Let me explain, if a bear was chasing you, would that be a stressful situation?  Now, at that moment would it be better to spend energy with your muscles and blood vessels to run, or would it be better to digest your food and slow down your heart? In stressful situations, our body functions how it needs to, thus digestion control is not the main focus.  If digestion is not being controlled, the parasympathetic system that controls the esophageal sphincter doesn't function - thus a dysfunction of the esophagus, creating a lack of tone allowing for the acid in the stomach to retract up.

So, what if we are not being chased by a bear - how is Acid reflux caused? Chronic stress can create the same scenario.  If we never allow the parasympathetic system to function (by always being stressed) then we lose the tone.  Many things can cause stress.  Often, Acid reflux is associated with weight gain, certain foods, alcohol, pregnancy, age (older), caffeine, a fatty diet, eating large meals, smoking, and certain medications.  When it comes to spicy foods, this is a short but direct stresser to the body.  Sweating is a sympathetic function, often accompanied with eating spicy foods, so therefore the parasympathetic is not functioning and the sphincter is loose. For older patients, it is best to check other conditions first such as peptic ulcers, esophageal cancer, or Barrett's esophagus which can lead to esophageal adenocarcinoma.

So how would I begin to treat a patient with Acid Reflux -

1. Get Adjusted - Again, many of my treatments will include an adjustment, but I will do my best to back up my answers.  There are several different methods that can be done with an adjustment.  First, stress is a right minded issue and so adjusting segments on the right side of the body will activate the left side of the brain, thus re-establishing the balance and reduce the stress.  Second, adjusting certain segments of the body that are associated with the parasympathetics would help activate the parasympathetic system.  And third, there is a specific segment associated with the nerves that control the esophagus.  Usually adjusting the middle back will help with the condition.
2. Relax - This is a stress issue, so it is best to find some relaxation and reduce that stress.  I'm not just talking about sitting on the couch in front of the TV, but to take time for yourself and truly de-stress
3. Avoid the Stressers - Many people know what triggers their reflux.  These stressers need to be avoided.  However, many people don't realize that their weight or medications could be the cause as well.  Take note of the list of things that could be possible causes
4. Apple Cider Vinegar - taking about a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar has been shown to improve the condition. I have heard this a couple of times.  I would like to see how well it works, but it is highly recommended.  Again, this is not an acid issue.  In fact, it may be actually a lack of acid in this condition.  Because if proper digestion is altered, then acid is not being produced. 
5. Change diet habits - Acid reflux is often associated with eating large meals and lying down.  Changing our diet habits can help by eating smaller frequent meals during the day.  Avoid lounging or lying down after meals.

Just Relax

This post is kinda a repeat of an early post, but I wanted to try to focus on some specifics.  I have mentioned before that we are living in a stressful society.  The demands of life are great and only increasing.  We believe we are become more efficient, with access to information and communication like never before, but unfortunately we are only becoming depleted and run down.  Stress is a major factor in our life that needs to be taken seriously and resolved.

To quickly review the consequences of our fast pace lifestyle, we need to understand that our body works on balance.  For this case, this is the Parasympathetic/Sympathetic balance.  The Parasympathetic is the relaxed state of mind, more controlled be the left brain.  The Sympathetic is the right side of the brain dealing with Fight or Flight.  This is our survival mode, which is an essential part of our life.  If we are in danger, it is necessary for our Sympathetic mode to kick in.  This will increase heart rate, increase blood pressure, break down glucose to create energy so that we can run, jump, fight, or whatever is necessary to survive.  Sadly, with the constant stresses, we stay in this mode of "Survival" 24 hrs a day.  If our body stays imbalanced, we will soon be depleted of energy sources, creating muscle aches and pains, fatigue and immune suppression.  This is just the beginning.  We just ignore the early signs.  90% of Americans are sleep deprived, and yet they keep pushing themselves to keep going.  If we are in pain, we then don't feel like moving.  We become less active, becoming sedentary, often leading to mental illnesses such as Depression, ADD, ADHD, Parkinson's, and much more.

We are familiar with these diseases, right? Yet, we ride them off as just genetic dysfunction- in reality we are actually running ourselves down into the ground and putting ourselves into these illnesses and conditions.  We are running ourselves on low fuel.  We need to Relax.  I would like to share some ideas of how we can relax and put ourselves back into Parasympathetic mode, back into our proper balance.  I first want to just say that many, if not all, of these suggestions can be just as adverse if not done correctly.

1. Sexual Activity - This seems to draw plenty of attention and is very effective.  Sexual desire is a very left brain state of mind (it makes sense that men are more left brain).  For women, it helps activate their left brain and can help one find relief from stress.  Again, I think this can have a negative reaction if sexual activity is not in a healthy relationship.  If not, it may be physiologically effective at the time, but may bring greater stress in the future.
2. Get Adjusted - Again, this a very effective way to put your body at ease and in a relaxed state.  In general, an adjustment will help reset the balance physiologically.  But there are specific ways to adjust as well that may help develop and resolve more specific issues.  Getting adjusted on the right side of the body will activate the left side of the brain.  As well as certain spinal segments will or can have beneficial effects to corresponding organs and parts of the body that may be adversely effected.  Getting adjusted has been proven to lower blood pressure systemically.
3. Talking - This helps explain the difference between men and women.  Women are more right brain, and talking helps balance and activate the left brain.  It is relaxing.  It is the basis of seeing a Councilor- talking helps you feel better, putting your mind at ease.  Neurologically, the Brocca's area of the brain that controls cognitive speech is located in the left side of the brain.  But again, avoid certain topics that may create more stress.  If used as a relaxation tool, focus on positive subjects.
4. Take a Deep Breath - Receptors to our lungs have a direct effect on our Parasympathetic which will help put us in balance.  As well as taking a deep long breath, holding, and exhaling will help us relax.  It will decrease our heart rate as well as lower our blood pressure all together.  Plus, taking deep breaths will help increase our Oxygen intake and help with our energy deprivation.
5. Watch a Romance Movie - This is really about visual stimulation, whether it be at an art gallery or watching a movie, visual stimulation is part of the Parasympathetics.  But I include romance movies, because it also includes our lacrimal glands which controls our tears.  I may be giving away a man's secret, but there's a reason why a man will endure a chick flick.  Visual stimulation + tears = left brain activation = sexual desire.  (Again, pick the chick flick over the horror thriller for relaxation efforts)
6. Eating - I put this last because it may not be the best suggestion for a therapeutic, but it is effective.  This is the basis of over eating.  People over eat because it makes them feel good, its relaxing, it brings comfort.  But if there is a need to bring balance, eating something stimulates the Parasympathetics.  Once more, certain foods that are spicy or minty may have an adverse reaction.  The spice on our tongue receptors may trigger a more Sympathetic response- but for the most part, most foods should bring comfort.  I also want to just suggest in this section that eating should be done in a relaxed state any way.  Rarely do we just sit to eat.  We are either running around or in a meeting, and if we are sitting, we think we are being productive by multi tasking by watching a show, or doing homework (or typing on their blog, lol).  This multi tasking is putting more stress as we eat, and creates digestive problems.

Hopefully this gives you a good start and how to relax.  Please review my other post, Don't Stress It, on how we can avoid stresses in our lives as well.  Please utilize these ideas to help your body relax and find balance.  Take a deep breath . . . . and just Relax

Don't Stress It

We just had an assembly with Dr. Joe Dispenza, which helped reiterate a point that I have recently learned before and feel strongly about.  There is a direct association between the Stress we have in our lives and our health.  In the animal world, we talk about survival.  A deer who is relaxed and grazing in the meadow senses danger, in a blink of an eye, darts off and is gone.  As humans, we also have this reaction.  If one was faced with a wild animal, our body would react.  Without a thought, our heart rate would increase, our breathing would become more rapid, our blood would increase to our muscles, all allowing us to get out of danger.  This reaction is an essential factor for survival.  It is meant to occur in times of need, but that is the problem.  In our society today, we keep this reaction on all the time, like a light switch left on day and night, which will soon burn out.  So are we faced with a giant bear all the time? No, but we are faced with stressers and fears on a constant basis, and we utilize this survival mode to get us through.  We start our day this way, getting up in a stressful manner to a beeping alarm clock, rushing to get ready.  Many read or hear the news in the morning, filling our thoughts with negative ideas.  We get stressed on our commute, rushing to where we need to go.  We are stressed at work, school, or other things that demand our time and attention. We return home, and sadly we occur more stress with family, bills, and activities that we planned for ourselves.  Finally, before getting to bed, we watch the news again, filling our minds with more negative ideas before ending our day.  When does it stop?

Our "survival" switch is on all day, every day.  But you may ask those are just thoughts, it can't be that bad?  Studies have shown that whether it is something we are doing, or if we just think about doing it, or brain activity is the same in both cases.  There is no difference in brain activity if we are in actual danger or thinking about it.  So what does this do?  Think of an air conditioning system that is turned on all the time, that never stops running.  Usually an air system turns out periodically to maintain a comfortable balance, like our survival mode.  But if it is running all the time, it will soon get cold which in the summer may feel nice at the time, but our bill will sky rocket.  It will be a financial burden. If all our money goes to pay the electric bill, we will exhaust all our finances to pay for other needs like groceries, gas, and ESPN (jk).  And soon, the summer will end and winter will come and if the AC is still running, it won't be so pleasent.  So how is this like our survival mode?  Nearly the same.  If our body is increasing heart rate, if our muscles are using the energy to flee from danger . . . soon, it too will exhaust all what we need.  All our energy will be used up, leaving our muscles to utilize other options for energy, causing pain.  Other parts of the body that need energy will not get it, causing several health problems physiologically. And soon, when it is time to relax, but we are still in survival mode, it won't feel so nice.

If we are always in survival mode, there are certain function that are disabled like our gut.  Our intestines and our sphincters work in a relaxed state.  Sexual function and infertility are also effected. We soon get fatigued, insomnia, supress our immune system, or even fibromyalgia.  The list of complications are long, but the solution is simple.  We need to find time away from these stressers.  We need to bring a balance to our body.  The major problem is that several people have been in this mode for so long, they are stuck in that mode and it is not so easy to get out. It is not as simple as just relaxing in our lazyboy after a hard day of work.  We need more.  We need to actively activate certain parts of our brain, mainly the left side, to bring back a balance to our body physiologically. 

Some helpful solutions: (Not in any particular order, but I will try to list what I think is more effective)

1. Avoid stressers - Don't watch or listen to the news especially in the morning and at night, start your morning in a more calm way by giving yourself plenty of time to get ready and to commute, eliminate any unnecessary activities making you feel rushed and stretched, and find the positive things in life.  There is plenty more we can do, but those are just a few ideas that I think everyone can work on
2. Adjustment of the extremities - It has been proven that adjustments can activate the brain and directly effect the body physiologically.  To regain balance to brain activity, an adjustment to the right side extremities will activate the left side of the brain which is responsible to help relax the body
3. Exercise the opposite side extremities - This is similar to the adjustment.  Stimulation to the right side will activate the left brain
4. Talking - be careful with this one, because talking with certain people are about certain things can add more stress, but the left side of the brain is active when we are talking.  Talking things out brings peace to our lives.  This is the basis for counciling.  As well as the foundation between men and women when it comes to talking.  Women are more right side dominant, so talking is the method for balance.  It is theraputic, and essential.

Let me sum up and explain.  Stress is not bad, we need it (in limiting doses).  It is what drives us, it keeps us going, it is our survival method.  But we need to regulate it.  We can't afford to live in survival mode all the time.  A bow that is always strung tight will soon break.  And when we break, or exhaust all our resources, we found serious complications.  It may seem easy enough, but it does take our active attention.  We too often get lost in the rush and demands of life. Just remember, Don't Stress It!