Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection [Paperback]

Celeste Cooper (Author), Jeffrey Miller (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 5, 2010

Fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain from muscle trigger points, and chronic fatigue syndrome are often seen as interchangeable conditions. Nothing could be further from the truth--however, they do often coexist. Knowing what you have will help you in determining the right treatment.

Written by a registered nurse with these three disorders, and a psychologist who has been treating chronic pain since 1994, this book presents an integrative approach. The authors understand these conditions are not curable, but they provide a thorough guide for treatment options that can benefit you. They answers questions like:
 
How can I be more than a bystander in my own care?
Why is proper documentation in my medical record important?
How are FM, CFID and CMP different,  how do they cross over and why should I know?
What are common co-existing conditions and what conditions mimic or aggravate mine?
How do I communicate my needs and symptoms successfully?
Where is that word I had two seconds ago?
What different forms of exercise are available for my specific needs?
How do I write a poem or meditate and why is the feedback to my brain important?
Why do some treatments make me worse when everyone swears they will make me better?
What should I look for in the "right" doctor?
What are my patient rights?
What foods should I avoid, and why?
Why should safe use of medications, herbal remedies and supplements  concern me?
Why can't I sleep, what can I do?
What is a flare, and how do I deal with crisis?'
Why don't my family and friends understand?
How do I assess and document the effectiveness of treatments, and medications?
What are the different types of bodywork, and who provides it?
What are the dos and don'ts of exercise?
How big is big brother?
How can I help my doctor overcome fear of prescribing the medications I need?
How do I write my thoughts and feelings down, and why is it important to me?
How do I apply for the benefits I need, what are they looking for?
What is an appeals process?
How do I get my needs met at work?
Why is nurturing my spiritual side important?
How can I resist isolation and feel empowered?
How do I accept what has happened to me and maintain forward momentum?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Thanks for all the wonderful information you share with us. PS- LOVE the book, can't put it down!!

--Traci Mersch

Posted your book link to my wall. I know it will help many.
Congratulations on a nice blend for health professionals and patients also. Love the enlightenment, encouragement, inspiration & positive thoughts.
--Margaret A Ferrante

Your personal views and recommendations blend very well with what I practice and subsequently I have made it part of my recommended reading for all the fibro patients. --Dr. Mark Guarilgia

I am very impressed with what you and your publisher have created.  --Barbara Hoberman Levine, Author of YOUR BODY BELIEVES EVERY WORD SAY: The Language of the BodyMind Connection 2nd. ed

One of the best books on the subject. It was almost as if it was written from my own experiences. --Jay-Ann Clinton

“This integrative holistic approach to these conditions is what is needed throughout medicine today. Empowering us to become part of our own health and healing process is such a powerful approach to these conditions or any others. I applaud the authors, and hope they inspire others to follow their lead.” (Bill Douglas, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to T’ai Chi & Qigong)

“Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, and chronic myofascial pain are the most common illnesses of modern society. I have worked full time in this area since I was trained by Travell and Simons in 1988. This book is not only an easy-to-use self-help book for patients but also an essential reference for any health care practitioner wanting to treat the cause of illness, rather than treat the symptoms. It is totally comprehensive and carries the passion and healing energy of the authors in every page. This is the basis of the medicine of the twenty-first century.” (Dr. John Whiteside, MBBS, BSc, Fellow of the Australian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine)

“. . . very comprehensive and I highly recommend it for anyone searching for a balanced approach for the treatment of these diseases.” (Dhara Lemos, Lotus Guide, November 2011)

From the Author

Recent research is yielding results that we suspected all along. There is more than a casual connection between fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain from trigger points in the muscles, and though more studies are indicated, research tells us that if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, you are at a greater risk of developing fibromyalgia.  Chronic fatigue syndrome is more than the pitiful name attached to it, fatigue. Research is showing us it is a biological disease and serious consideration is being given by the National Institute of Health and the committee for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFSAC) that reports directly to Katherine Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who reports directly to the President of the United States. The viral issues connected to what is now known as ME/CFS is significant enough that those with a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome be excluded from donating blood. We have maintained this all along and speak of it in the book.

I implore you, if you have fibromyalgia (FM) or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) or know someone who does, please get this book. It is important to know how to relate your symptoms to your doctor, it is important to learn how to be a voice, it is important to know you are not alone, and you have tools available to you to help you communicate and cope. We deserve to be treated with dignity and respect by doctors that are willing to hear us out and prescribe treatments that will help us.

The medications used to treat FM will not treat conditions that co-exist with FM, exercising a muscle riddled with myofascial trigger points without addressing perpetuating factors and treating the trigger point directly will only make matters worse. Treating  FM or ME/CFS with psychiatric and anti-seizure medications will not improve the metabolic disturbances of either condition or the viral load placed on the ME/CFS patient. Not having all the tools in your arsenal will only cause further pain and dysfunction leading you and your physician down a road of distrust and defeat. Please read our book and find out how you can prevent this from happening.

After you read the book, you can keep up on the latest at my blog, fmcfstriggerpoints.blogspot.com/

Harmony and Hope, Celeste

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Healing Arts Press; Original edition (February 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594773238
• ISBN-13: 978-1594773235
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1.1 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best July 31, 2010

By Jay-Anne Clinton

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

One of the best books on the subject. It was almost as if it was written from my own experiences.
I connected with everything they spoke of. I absolutely am keeping it for my reference when ever I need to speak to my doctor or I need validation. It made me feel good that there was absolutely another person going through what I'm going through with this devastating disease.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lotus Guide magazine October 26, 2010

By Rahasya Poe

Format:Paperback

For many diseases in our world, we are finally learning that treatments using only allopathic or only homeopathic remedies are seldom the best approach in and of themselves. Much of the confusion has come from the polarized arguments of both sides attempting to defend their points of view, but like most truths the answers are often found in the middle ground, hence "integrative medicine." I found this book, at 448 pages, to be very comprehensive and I highly recommend it for anyone searching for a balanced approach for the treatment of these diseases.

Dhara Lemos, Lotus Guide

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book! November 21, 2011

By Anna Leviti

Format:Paperback

This is by far one of the best books I've read on fibromyalgia...and I've read many. This author obviously understands what we go through on a daily basis and has taken a multi-disciplinary approach to getting well. I love her wisdom and sharing of her obvious expertise in unraveling how to get well and what works AND what doesn't. Good quality book and very well priced.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Health Bible... I couldn't survive NOT having this book!! Thanks for all the work to make a book that covers EVERYTHING!! August 20, 2011

By Traci Mersch

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought so many books that had bits & pieces of good information over the years, but then I finally found your books. LOVE every one!! If I have a question or wonder about something going on with my Fibro body, I grab my books and feel much better after looking up what I need. Of course always feeling much better reading and remembering I'm NOT Alone in this daily fight!! I have actually taken my book to many doctor appointments and schooled them on things that they didn't know. I let one of my doctors borrow one book to look through that I had taken to an appointment, and she was impressed and absorbed some of your knowledge herself.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for all your time & work to you put into your books. I can't believe you could accomplish what you did being a Fibromite yourself. Traci Mersch xoxo

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very information and helpful! July 8, 2012

By TruthSeeker

Format:Paperback

Book is presented as a textbook and is easy to read with helpful explanations, definitions and exercises. Very informative on a variety of related syndromes/illnesses. My problem, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is seriously misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Those of us who have it need verification and support, not to be dismissed as just crazy/lazy. Will share this book with many others.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial: The Mind-Body Connection January 13, 2013

By loriaprn

Format:Paperback

This is an amazing book, informative and easy to follow! There is something in it for everyone from the patient suffering from these debilitating disorders to the healthcare provider and caregivers. I am a patient and a healthcare giver. This book not only helps me manage my own pain but helps me offer hope to others. I am saddened by the lack of knowledge surrounding Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Disease and truly appreciate the information provided in this informative book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars very helpful November 30, 2012

By Lynn Carlson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Gives things that you can do to help with treatment. Help and hope. still not done reading but already using exercises.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There is HOPE! November 7, 2012

By Pixie1

Format:Paperback

A gem, written from the perspective of somebody who knows from experience, with empathy, compassion and a true desire to help. This is a long but very pleasant read, full of advice, comprehensive analysis and an absolute must have if you face chronic pain. It will bring hope to your days and continue being a source of knowledge and comfort for time to come. You will be doing yourself a favor by purchasing this health tour de force.