This morning I found ProHealth’s June newsletter, Fibromyalgia HealthWatch. I have read many interesting Fibromyalgia articles on ProHealth. That is where I learned of the Fibromyalgia Wellness Project. I think they do a great job interviewing important people and sharing pertinent information. A lot of their articles are excerpts from books that they sell in the ProHealth bookstore. I have yet to purchase a book from them because information on Fibromyalgia is so fluid and ever-changing, I think newsletters and online resources keep me more current. Here are some highlights of the Fibromyalgia articles in their newsletter this month.

Nutritional Approaches in Fibromyalgia – A Review of Common Deficiencies & Basic Supplement Strategies

Excerpted from Dr. Pellegrino’s very popular book Fibromyalgia: Up Close and Personal.* Dr. Pellegrino has seen more than 20,000 FM patients in his practice at the Ohio Rehab Center, and has been a fibromyalgia patient himself since childhood.

The Healing Power of Exercise – Advice from a Fibromyalgia Patient-Expert 

Claudia Craig Marek, MA, is an FM patient, medical assistant to Paul St. Amand, MD, a specialist in FM patient counseling, and author of  The First Year – Fibromyalgia. Claudia has counseled FM patients for some 20 years, and is co-author with Dr. St. Amand of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia and other books.

Fibromyalgia Myth Busting: The Truth about Five Stubborn Misperceptions

A concise explanation of what fibromyalgia is and is not – suitable to print out for your family, friends, and doctors – by NFA co-founder and ‘expert patient’ Karen Lee Richards.

These are just a few of the many articles in the June newsletter, and that is why I am signed up to receive newsletters from many different resources – The National Fibromyalgia Association, American Pain Foundation, The Chopra Center, etc.. They take the time to put their articles into bullet points – easy to digest reading – and then I get to chose what interests me and what I am going to take the time to read. It is a great way to stay informed and educated.

So that is my recommendation to you – sign up for newsletters! I do not receive spam, only what I register for, and if you sign up for one and find it does not interest you, it is just as easy to remove yourself from their list. But on the other hand, if you really aren’t interested in finding newsletters in your e-mail each morning, keep coming back here, because I am certain to report on what I find to be relevant and beneficial. Hey… maybe I should start my own Fibromyagia newsletter!

From Dr. David Shores, DC

A Comprehensive Holistic Approach To Fibromyalgia And Chronic Pain

Dannette from Fibromyalgia Haven asked me to write a guest article for her site when I spoke at her fibromyalgia support group in January.

Having worked with many fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and chronic pain patients I thought I would share a recent case to demonstrate what I find and how I proceed.

Late December 08 a new patient presented to my office with the diagnosis of fibromyalgia that began in 04. Her primary complaint was severe muscle and joint pain. She also reported severe joint swelling in all the major joints of her body and water retention. Her joint pain and swelling was at it’s worst in the morning. She had a history of multiple traumas. Neurologic testing showed multiple cervical and lumbar nerve compressions. Bio-response testing showed multiple severe heavy metal toxicity, more than seven chronic infections and several vitamin deficiencies along with several structural problem.

We supplemented her with the deficient vitamins only and gave her a nutritional supplement to chelate or remove the heavy metals and a nutritional supplement to aid her body in clearing the infections. She was monitored weekly and adjusted with an instrument  to handle the structural and neurological problems. As of today 2/2/09 she reports that her symptoms are eighty percent resolved with virtually all of the morning stiffness and pain gone. We expect further improvement as she continues on her program.

I find this case to be typical of many with fibromyalgia. In most cases there are a multitude of problems including structural, toxins, nutritional, infection and emotional. When the problems are addresed in the correct order and with great care, many with chronic pain improve tremendously. For more information please go to www.drshores.typepad.com

David Shores DC

1524 Encinitas Blvd

Encinitas, Ca 92024

760-753-4300

Disclaimer: This information is for education purposes only. The doctor does not diagnose or treat any medical conditions. The doctors goal is to restore proper function and thus restore self healing.

Personally I was very interested in Dr. Shores’ approach. It makes sense to me (especially after listening to his comprehensive presentation) that Fibromyalgia can stem from “a multitude of problems including structural, toxins, nutritional, infection and emotional.” A lot of my current research is based on what I learned from Dr. Shores, i.e heavy metal toxicity (post coming soon). As part of my unending quest to improve my health I will be working with Dr. Shores. I will write regular posts about my sessions and my response to his treatment in an effort to help us all benefit from his knowledge and expertise.

Thank you for your time and contribution Dr. Shores.