In June I shared with you the announcement of The Fibromyalgia Wellness Project, a study to see if Fibromyalgia sufferers can easily discover simple modifications in their patterns of daily living to markedly reduced their symptoms. It was delayed due to scheduling and resource issues, but on Friday I received the announcement that it is up and looking for participants. Dear Friends, I am pleased to announce that the Fibromyalgia Wellness Project is now up and running and ready to receive participants. This is a research project sponsored by the National Institute of Arthritis, … [Read more...]
Processing Emotional Pain To Heal Your Physical Pain
I remember the shock I felt when I first realized there is an emotional component to my pain. I have always been a joyful person. I smile often, and it is the kind of smile I feel deep in my heart. Despite everything I have been through and live with daily, I have always felt fortunate and happy for my life. I knew I had unresolved anger and resentment, that is how I found myself in therapy, but I had no idea that I had been physically storing it in my body for years. It was several years ago now that my therapist tried to help me resolve my physical pain by dealing with my suppressed … [Read more...]
What is Your Intention?
Each time at the start of a yoga practice, the instructor asks that we set an intention for that day; "What is it you would like to focus on today to get the most out of your time here?" I usually struggle to find my intention and get caught up in trying to find the right answer. I pressure myself into thinking there is a really cool and purposeful thing I should be focusing on, and if I don't come up with it, I am missing out on some great ancient yoga secret. Sometimes I try to set grandiose intentions - freedom from all pain, anxiety, and conflict in my life, from here until eternity. … [Read more...]
Let’s Not Call it Exercise, Let’s Call it Mindful Movement
Say the word "exercise" to a person with Fibromyalgia, and you will most likely get a negative response. Exercise is a harsh and ugly word. It has become synonymous with pain to most of us. Rare is the Fibromyalgia patient who embraces exercise. Not only does it elicit a pain response in most of us, but it also sends our defenses up. Too, too many times we have heard the unsolicited advice, "If you would only exercise you would feel much better." We could all give examples of some of the insensitive and inaccurate things we have heard, that is not at question here, but what is under … [Read more...]
Your Illness May Be Invisible, But You Are Not
In support of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week I am approaching the one year anniversary of my blog. I have grown a lot over the past 11 months. I have made many wonderful new contacts. I have learned to be more open and honest about my health - with myself, and with my family and friends. I understand more about the causes and contributing factors of Fibromyalgia. I could go on and on about my growth, but this post is not about me. This post is a celebration of you. If you were to ask me the most important thing I am taking away from this past year, I would say YOU. From the … [Read more...]