Fibromyalgia is a serious disorder of suspected neurological origin manifested by intense, recidivating muscular pain, joint stiffness, pronounced sate of generalized fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, increased sensitivity to external stimuli and depression. At present, the exact causes and risk factors of the disease are unknown, fibromyalgia still being regarded as an enigma among the medical community.

There is no specific cure for fibromyalgia and the treatments available today are only partially efficient in slowing down the progression of the disease and alleviating its generated symptoms. In addition, due to the lack of conclusive medical data on fibromyalgia and the deceiving character of the symptoms it produces (the symptoms of fibromyalgia have an unspecific, general character, being also produced by a variety of other diseases that aren’t related to fibromyalgia), the disease can be very difficult to diagnose properly. In persons with special conditions (existing or past neuropsychological diseases, pregnant women, etc.), fibromyalgia is even more difficult to diagnose accurately and more important, timely.

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If you have always wanted to know more about fatigue and exercise, you are not alone. I mean, doesn’t exercise contribute to fatigue? No! The benefits of exercise to fatigue sufferers are so great, they cannot be ignored. Exercise for fatigue? You bet! If you are not doing exercises for fatigue you may be suffering more than you need to. So where do you start? What kinds of exercise should you be doing with fatigue problems.

There are many new exercise gadgets, videos, and other paraphernalia out there on the market today, and it can be confusing whats good for fatigue sufferers. I mean, just turn the television on and you will see a bun slimmer here or a weight loss machine there, you may even hear of a total fitness machine to help your strength and overall health. All of this is nice but what can help with fatigue and exercise. I mean really what can help relieve the tiredness, suffering, and devastating pain of fatigue sufferers? Well, there is an answer. You can help relieve your fatigue with exercise.  Read more...

I understand. For most of the world, it’s a common little phrase. But for people who have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome (or both), it’s amazingly powerful, not to mention rare.

Because you have an illness that’s hard to “prove,” loved ones may secretly accuse you of hypochondria or laziness. You may be told “it’s all in your head.” Phusicians can be even worse. If they believe that conditions exist at all – and some don’t – their first impulse is to mask … More >>

Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Step-by-step Program Proven to Help You Get Well!

Fibromyalgia, which affects more women than men, is characterized by widespread pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on the body where slight pressure causes pain.

Although mainstream medicine has yet to devise a successful plan for treating fibromyalgia, yoga offers sensible strategies for managing, and sometimes overcoming, the pain. Written by a yoga teacher and suitable for both yoga novices and veteran… More >>

Yoga for Fibromyalgia: Move, Breathe, and Relax to Improve Your Quality of Life

The original edition of this classic survival manual offered the first comprehensive patient guide for managing these conditions. Its extensive set of healing tools included targeted bodywork for painful trigger points and strategies to helpccope with chronic pain and sleep problems and the numbing effects of fibrofog.

More than 75 percent of the second edition is new or updated material, including coverage of promising new research on the causes of fibromyalgia, ev… More >>

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual

Did you know there are 92 elements found in nature and an additional 22 which are observed elements or scientists believe exists but have not been able to prove.

In addition to all of those there are also hundreds of isotopes of those elements, any one of which can play an important role in human health which has yet to of been discovered.

In these numerous elements are trace minerals which are called this because they are required in such a very small amounts.

And, while scientists and doctors believe they have identified many of the trace minerals required by the body for optimal health, they are required in such minute amounts and there are so many different trace elements that may be necessary, it is highly unlikely that physicians and scientists have identified all of them.  Read more...

There are an estimated 10 million Americans who suffer from fibromyalgia and in the range of up to 20% of those who seek the advice of a rheumatologist suffer from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition that involves painful muscles, ligaments and tendons. While it isn’t disfiguring or life-threatening it does create life altering pain and discomfort for the individual who suffers from it.

Similar to migraine headaches, fibromyalgia affects mostly women who were middle-aged and less often affects children and the elderly. The pain can occur in four or more distinct areas of the body and are related to “trigger points“. These trigger points or tender points can affect pain and muscle thousands when pressure is applied and are definitive diagnostic tools. Trigger points are often found in the elbows, shoulders, back and ahead, knees and the sides of the breastbone.  Read more...

Magnesium is a magnificent mineral. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and essential to good health for each and every one of us. Interestingly, approximately 50% of the magnesium stored in our body can be found in the bone. The other half is found inside of the cells of our body tissue and organs and only 1% is found in the blood. But, although the amount found in the blood is so small, the body works very hard to keep this number constant.

Magnesium is a mineral found in all unprocessed foods. There is a high concentration in unmilled grain, dark leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes. Although there is an abundance in whole foods, because of the standard Western diet and potential malabsorption issues many people can create a situation where they don’t receive enough magnesium to support optimal health.  Read more...

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone that can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back.

I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do.

I’ve learned that you can do some thing in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I’ve learned that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you can’t.  Read more...

Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical condition that was once thought to be purely psychological in nature. Today physicians know that has a basis in the physical that is exacerbated by psychological stress. It is characterized by wide spread pain in the ligaments and tendons. Fibromyalgia also causes fatigue and multiple tender points. These are places on the body where even a slight amount of pressure will cause pain.

There are 18 different sites used for fibromyalgia diagnosis which are considered tender points. These sites cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee and elbow regions. During an examination the physician applies as much pressure as what would be required to cause a finger nail bed to blanch, or start to become white. Others have found over 75 different tender points but these are not used for diagnostic purposes. They do however cause individuals pain and discomfort.  Read more...

Most people rely upon traditional Western medicine if they become ill. They make an appointment with a doctor and follow the treatment given to achieve a desired result. However, some people choose to forgo traditional medicine and seek out a naturopathic practitioner instead. How can a naturopath help and will you be able to achieve the same result, which is to feel better?

Naturopathic practitioners differ from modern medical doctors in that they are interested in more than treating the symptoms a person has. In fact, the naturopath will work toward healing the whole person. This is done by emphasizing preventative measures each individual can do, encouraging the body’s own ability to heal itself, and addressing each person’s responsibility for their own health. This may be done by using nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicine, or changing one’s lifestyle.

Naturopaths are concerned with finding the underlying reason behind the symptoms their patients have. They treat everyone in a family from the youngest baby to the oldest senior and everyone in between. They provide hands-on support in helping their clients learn to live a healthy life while dealing with the craziness of today’s busy schedules.  Read more...

Have you been feeling tired lately and don’t know why? There could be a reason that you haven’t considered. Keep reading and find out what chronic fatigue syndrome is all about.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease that is characterized by a feeling of extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve after resting. It’s as if you had your eyes closed but were awake the entire time. This disease is very distressing because there is no one way to diagnose it and many are reluctant to believe that you are experiencing anything tangible.

CFS and fibromyalgia have shared the same stigma. Sufferers were thought to be imagining their symptoms. None of the usual tests could detect anything wrong. The fatigue was even thought to be a symptom of other conditions.

The disease is characterized by not only fatigue but also pain in the joints, neck and armpits, muscle soreness, headaches, sore throat, sleeping issues and trouble concentrating. Doctors consider chronic fatigue syndrome as a diagnosis if you have experienced these symptoms for at least six months. They also stipulate that four of the symptoms have to have begun at the same time. That doesn’t mean that your tiredness is not truly CFS.  Read more...

I’m going to let Amy tell you her story in her own words, but before I do I just wanted to preface this remarkable lady’s account with a comment.

Amy Kiel - Out of Darkness

I met Amy Kiel on Twitter and was immediately taken in by her sparkle, her compassion for others, her terrific sense of humor and her absolute dedication to helping others who, like her, are struggling on a dark path of depression, pain and suicidal thoughts.

Take the time to read this and then take the time to do something. Whether that ’something’ is picking up the phone and calling someone who has been down, sponsoring Amy in her Walk Out of Darkness, breathing a prayer or a financial contribution to suicide prevention… Just DO something! ~Dee

Coming Out of Darkness

As so many do, I grew up in dysfunction or less than ideal circumstances … however you put it, my family had it’s challenges. I was raised in a family with a history of alcoholism, depression, abuse, divorce and some other less than lovely issues.  Read more...

Insomnia is a symptom, not a disease. Stress related to work, school, health or family concerns. Depression. Use of stimulants, including caffeine, alcohol, nicotine or other over-the-counter or prescription medications. Prescription drugs, including some Antidepressant, High Blood Pressure and steroid medications, can interfere with sleep.

Many over-the-counter medications, including some brands of aspirin, decongestants and weight loss products, contain caffeine and other stimulants. And antihistamines can affect urinary problems. Change in environment or work schedule. Long-term use of sleep medications. Medical problems, including fibromyalgia or complex diseases of the nerves and muscles.

Behavioral Insomnia, which may occur when you worry excessively about not being able to sleep well and try too hard to fall asleep. Most people with this condition sleep better when theyre away from their usual sleep environment. Sleep

Sleep. That wonderful but sometimes elusive state of bliss and rejuvenation!

Best Sleep Tips  Read more...

Stress reeks havoc on our health systems. From the immune system to blood sugar and the cardiovascular system. In fact, the effects of stress are so pervasive that researchers and doctors are still not able to definitively produce an exhaustive list of everything that could go wrong in the human body. This means that stress can produce results that doctors still don’t know about.

Stress can be defined as those aggravating things that go wrong during the day or those irritating things that go bump in the night. Anything that interrupts your daily routine or nightly sleep can have a cumulative effects on the body and brain. Researchers have found that a chronic overreaction to Strauss will overload the brain with hormones intended for only short term used in emergency situations. This cumulative of fact will damage and killed brain cells in the long run.  Read more...