TREATMENT OVERVIEW

In order to improve quality of life and control the pain, influence fatigue and downgrade sensitivities

it’s important to understand that fm symptoms come from the brain which sends danger signals all

over the body. The brain is being stuck in survival mode which has a cascading effect on body

systems creating faulty circuits.

Fibromyalgia is all about chronic pain and brain processing information about danger incorrectly.

We have enough scientific evidence to know that chronic pain is not about tissues and simple

danger signals coming from it. It’s always complex, based on the pattern called ‘neurotag’ which is

a particular network of brain cells evaluating danger in relation to learning, memory, emotions,

family, beliefs, culture, habits and other factors. Pain neurotag is sort of a trigger map. The neurons

form connections that are indicating we are not safe and if that continues over a prolonged period

of time the danger signals get amplified, spread faster and make the nervous system sensitized

through circulation of stress hormones, inflammatory signals and danger neurotransmitters.

In order to influence and change the faulty circuits in fm best practice is to start with treating the

brain as a circuit breaker. Moving from overwhelm towards simplification of the healing process

based on 3 pillars: education, self-care and pain control. Focusing on medication is often not a

solution ending in complication and more medication needed. Self-care through nutrition, better

sleep management, movement. Pain control through cognitive behavioral therapy, pain

reprocessing therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, biodynamic craniosacral

therapy, relaxation techniques.

Craniosacral therapy as a treatment for fibromyalgia

Biodynamic craniosacral therapy is treating the whole body and regulating the nervous system

through gentle touch. Trained practitioner is orienting towards the subtle body flows and rhythms,

supporting the involuntary rest’n’digest processes. This connection with the parasympathetic

nervous system can reduce inflammation and sensitization of the whole nervous system.

Slowing down and stimulating neurological pathways that create safety helps to unlearn pain and

improve fibromyalgia symptoms. It involves experimenting with processes that change the pain

trigger map. BCST works exceptionally well in that respect giving fm patients opportunity for deep

connection with the body through processes that support mapping our body in a more conscious,

resilient way and retraining the nervous system. It’s about shifting from linear thinking about pain

being in the tissues to thinking about pain as an output of the nervous system processing

information about danger. That shift creates space for relearning the way we feel, move and think

which then changes the pain neurotag and calms down the whole system. It also builds capacity to

experience positive feelings and hormonal chemistry.

The scientific research about it is still limited and small in scale but findings promising. A small

randomized study by Matarran-Penarrocha 11 was conducted in 2011 with 86 fm patients - some of

them receiving 1hr craniosacral treatment and some 2 x 30min placebo treatment. The researchers

measured pain, depression, anxiety, sleep and quality of life during a period of 25 weeks. All

patients wore for 24hrs heart monitor to measure their heart rate and measured pain by evaluating

tender points.The group that received craniosacral therapy showed vast improvement in their

mental and physical symptoms.

Last month I have been teaching year 6 children some simple tools of mental hygiene that you can use to improve learning, relationships, performance and life in general. A common question people ask is how can 11 year olds relate to mindfulness? Learning how to direct our attention in a more focused way is only possible through experience. Theory supports that process but only regular practice of training and sustaining our attention on breathing, physical sensations, thoughts, feelings or everyday activities like eating or moving will create a change in cognition and performance. And 11 year olds relate to that on so many levels! They are about to transition to new high school environment which is a big change that can create worry. Just recognising worry helps us deal with it in a more mature way. We have wonderful conversations about how brain works and the presence of the mind. The kids are naturally discovering through moments of stillness how their body works - physical sensations, thoughts and emotions that are unique to each person and make them who they are.

Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist best known for his print series of Mount Fuji and great wave of Kanagawa.

The poet Roger Keyes wanted to capture his artistry into words with this poem:

Hokusai says look carefully.
He says pay attention, notice.
He says keep looking, stay curious.
He says there is no end to seeing.

He says look forward to getting old.
He says keep changing,
you just get more who you really are.
He says get stuck, accept it, repeat
yourself as long as it is interesting.

He says keep doing what you love.

He says keep praying.

He says everyone of us is a child,
everyone of us is ancient,
everyone of us has a body.
He says everyone of us is frightened.
He says everyone of us has to find
a way to live with fear.

He says everything is alive–
shells, buildings, people, fish,
mountains, trees, wood is alive.
Water is alive.

Everything has its own life.

Everything lives inside us.

He says live with the world inside you.

He says it doesn’t matter if you draw,
or write books. It doesn’t matter
if you saw wood, or catch fish.
It doesn’t matter if you sit at home
and stare at the ants on your veranda
or the shadows of the trees
and grasses in your garden.
It matters that you care.

It matters that you feel.

It matters that you notice.

It matters that life lives through you.

Contentment is life living through you.
Joy is life living through you.
Satisfaction and strength

is life living through you.

Peace is life living through you.

He says don’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid.

Look, feel, let life take you by the hand.

Let life live through you