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This segment of the website introduces you to some resources that you might find helpful. Web sites are constantly changing and adding features and links. Support groups change in attitude. It is not possible to monitor these resources, and some may contain material which is contrary to current research. There are many good websites and Facebook groups, but there is also a lot of misinformation. A listing does not imply endorsement. Fibromyalgia is fundamentally different than myofascial pain, and the difference is important. (1) There is no such thing as a fibromyalgia trigger point, Those knots in the muscle and the taut bands in your body are TrPs, not FM. Those specific pain patterns are TrPs, not FM. Fibromyalgia doesn’t cause localized pain such as low back pain or hand pain, it only amplifies it. We need to look at the pain and other symptom generators as well as the amplification process. Physicians seeing only the FM component—the central nervous system dysfunction— will not look for mechanical perpetuating factors such as short upper arms or repetitive motions. They will miss the significance of the non-pain TrP symptoms such as dizziness, toothaches, or buckling ankles. Physical therapists will be trying to strengthen weak muscles, not understanding that the muscles are weak due to TrPs and strengthening exercises will make TrPs worse. Patients will be enduring needless pain and costs of medical testing and procedures because their care providers are not trained to diagnose and treat TrPs.
2. Staud R. 2006. Biology and therapy of fibromyalgia: pain in fibromyalgia syndrome. Arthritis Res Ther. 8(3):208. Visit us on Facebook Please visit us on Facebook. Look for the group Fibromyalgia. Chronic Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, and ask to join. It is a closed, confidential group. Please don't request me to "friend you. I am available through the group. "Please read the Welcome Packet information in the Files Section before posting. FIBROM-L Support and Discussion Group The discussion group is known as FIBROM-L. Anyone wishing to subscribe to the discussion group may do so by going to http://community.lsoft.com/archives/FIBROM-L.html Significant others, companions and friends of people with FM and CMP, join Pete and find the support you need at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/354657951343637/ Vulvarpainforum The vulvarpainforum list was created for women who suffer from any of a number of manifestations of chronic vulvar pain, known collectively as vulvodynia. The list, created and maintained by a vulvodynia patient, is intended as a space for open, candid discussion of available treatments and resources, as well as to offer emotional support. To subscribe, send an email message and in the body of the message, put subscribe vulvarpainforum or subscribe vulvarpainforum-digest. Non-profit corporation which supports education and current research concerning FMS and related disorders. The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association, 6380 E. Tanque Verde Road, Suite D, Tucson, AZ 85715-3822. Phone 520-733-1570. Newsletter,
203 1/2 North Main Street, Suite 203,
Graham, NC 27253,
336-226-0704 (Tues and Thurs). American Chronic Pain Association For excellent, comprehensive and up-to-date information on over-the-counter and prescription medications, check out the American Chronic Pain Association Resource section. The Drugs and Supplement section is a .pdf file and requires Acrobat Reader. Celeste Cooper Celeste Cooper's website offers a variety of information on fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain and chronic fatigue syndrome. Anything written by Celeste is going to be useful and good. http://www.CelesteCooper.com An informational site devoted to people who are trying to win Social Security disability benefits if you have fibromyalgia. It offers some advice and some useful tips. When I needed to "Take a layer off my pain", I knew where to go for help. Dr. Blatman has taken the art of myofascial trigger point treatment to a new level. Visit the site of myofascial specialist Hal Blatman, MD, for holistic education on repetitive strain, myofascial pain and alternative treatments such as photonic stimulation and reflexology. Environmental Illness Resource Provides information, latest news, articles, links directory, forums and other resources to sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity, allergies and other related conditions. The Fibromyalgia Community offers a wide array of services to Fibromyalgia (and related conditions) patients and to those looking for support, information, research and materials to help family members and friends cope, gain an understanding and solve the mysteries of this " invisible" disorder. A nationally-registered Canadian charity. Posts links to all of Canada's support groups on their homepage, and provides links to a wide range of educational materials. Chronic illness can be a severe financial drain. Do you qualify for government benefits? Find out at this website. To find out the potential health effects of household chemicals, as well as the ingredients to more than 4000 household products, check the National Library of Medicine site. A website for a wealth of information on enhancing your abilities to live a full life with chronic illness. Sections include lifetime modifications to help you move through life easier, learning tools, accessible transportation and recreation, work modification resources, finding jobs, workplace resources including ADA updates, and "Finding the Money" with funding information. They even have a section on adaptive gardening. Patient Advocate Foundation Do you need help to navigate the bewildering world of medical care and insurance? Visit www.patientadvocate.org The International Myopain Society Do you wish your medical team knew more about fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain due to trigger points? How team members belong to the International Myopain Society (IMS)? Why don't you ask them? The IMS is an organization dedicated to education about and exploration of the causes of musculoskeletal pain. The interaction among many disciplines in the IMS nurtures creative solutions to many common problems. Let your care team know about the IMS and the opportunities for them to earn Continuing Medical Education credits. Membership includes a subscription in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, and a chance to meet some of the people involved in the latest research. Let them know that their investment in membership will replay them several times over. For more information, visit the IMS website at:www.myopain.org Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment The site describes and reviews the many different treatments available for IBS, including medications, supplements, and alternative therapies. Making
Your Voice Heard
Visit: for information on a wonderful patient self-treatment tool for interior mouth trigger points causing TMJ, headaches, and other local problems at www.tmjpainsolutions.com National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists Do you have difficulty finding a myotherapist who KNOWS trigger points? These therapists are trained to help you find perpetuating factors, as well as to document and treat myofascial trigger points. They also have other TrP information, including maps of some common trigger point referral patterns. If you have read this website, you know that myofascial trigger points are probably the source of much of your pain and dysfunction. If you have fibromyalgia, you have learned that it is the pain and other noxious stimulation from those trigger points that are driving the central sensitization if fibromyalgia. You have learned that those myofascial trigger points can refer pain to different areas from where they are located, and they can be causing everything from migraines, blurry vision or toothaches to plantar fasciitis and buckling ankles. And you have learned that the key to managing those trigger points is identifying and eliminating or managing the perpetuating factors. Haven't you ever yearned for someone who could help you do these things? Not only are there such wonderful people, but there is a National Organization of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists in the USA. When you visit their website, they will help you find a therapist nearest you. They also have educational materials. Visit www.myofascialtherapy.org National Fibromyalgia Partnership The National Fibromyalgia Partnership provides a website with information on many topics. For more information and resources visit www.fmpartnership.org Visit the
Pacific Center
for Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction in San Francisco
Rest Ministries
A comprehensive, multi-specialty, peer-reviewed website for patients with back pain. 123 West Madison, Suite 1450, Chicago, IL 60602. Spine problems are common TrP perpetuating factors. This site helps you find spine doctors close to you, and has information on minimally invasive spine treatments. For information on suicide prevention and hope.
Track your Fibromyalgia symptoms with SymptomLog.com. Most major
health portals offer content that ultimately
lead to self-diagnosis and its associated risks and pitfalls.
Instead, SymptomLog.com offers a secure and private way for patients
to track their symptoms in a daily log - for printing and sharing
with their healthcare provider. The content is both URAC and HON
accredited. "The" site
for
fibromyalgia and the thyroid
connection.
Dr. Wes Shankland's website on TMJ Information on TMJ and conditions that can be confused with it or aggravate it, as well as information on dangers associated with root canals, alternate methods of pain control, and much more. The papers and effects of Janet G. Travell, MD, one of the founders of myofascial medicine, have been carefully and lovingly archived at the Gelman Library in George Washington University. If you plan to visit, please contact them beforehand and read through the carefully compiled list of documents that are available so that the archivists can have specific boxes ready and available for you. Trigger Point Training for Professionals Information on hands-on training for doctors and other health care professionals on identification and treatment of myofascial trigger points.
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