All pain is produced in the brain. If the pain signal from the source of pain cannot reach the brain, pain cannot be felt. Most of the modalities for non-medicinal pain relief are based on this principle. I have divided the most common modalities into type.

• Body Work – this includes massage, Myofascial release, Reiki, acupressure and acupuncture, chiropractic

• Stretching – yoga, Qigong, stretching exercises, water walking or gentle swimming

• Use of specific tools to decrease muscle spasms – balls, nola roller, pressure point tools

• Heat and Cold applications – heating pads, hot packs, cold packs, Thermacare Heat Wraps, hot baths, hot wax machine, magnets (included here because I believe that they work on the principle that the iron in the blood is attracted to the magnet and the increase in blood flow produced by the iron trying to come in contact with the magnet produces a warming effect

• Stimulation – massagers, whirlpools, self massage

• Proper Body Alignment – good posture whether accomplished through exercising or through the use of supportive pillows under certain situations is always a help

• Occupational Therapy – looking at the tasks you must do and finding an easier way to do them

• Supportive devices – pillows, chairs, back cushions, wraps, cervical collar, orthotics

• Distraction – keeping your brain busy with something else. Music, TV, puzzles, games, computer activities, therapeutic tapes, meditation, therapeutic meditation – Holosync, and just having fun!

• Miscellaneous – NAET – allergy elimination program using acupuncture, hypnosis

All of these things will help reduce the pain. I believe that when the pain has lessened, then it’s time to move on to exercise. While attending Dr. St. Amand’s seminar a few years ago however, I learned that I had to exercise in order to get well. I had always been waiting to get well to exercise! He was correct! Years ago I had taken water classes for fibromyalgics and found that it did not help with my pain, but certainly increased my stamina. After so many years of deconditioning (becoming weaker) due to the pain, even the slightest physical stress would cause a flare. Now that I am able to walk a mile, swim and work out in the gym I’ve strengthened those areas that had been weak. I can now risk using them for fun things like bike riding, jogging and golf! And for the interesting things, like returning to work, part-time as a nurse in an internist’s office.

The solution to Fibromyalgia is different for each one of us, but I believe that we must do a lot more than take medicine to find it.

--Bonnie Hunter, LPN