A multi-disciplinary approach to the puzzling and frustrating condition of fibromyalgia can be the best approach to take for both the patient with fibromyalgia and the treating health care providers. Many patients naturally go down a path seeing multiple health care providers that specialize in conventional medicine and more “natural healers” that offer complimentary care. In some circumstances the conventional medical approach is not helpful enough, and improved health and function starts to happen when the patient with fibromyalgia beings utilizing natural approaches. Thus the natural healer is no longer considered ‘complementary’; they are now the patient’s primary resources for help.
Fibromyalgia, or fibrous muscle pain when translated from medical terminology, is a pretty accurate name for the condition considering the symptoms experienced by those who have it. On examination, it is easy to feel with your hands where the patient’s ‘hot spots’ are because they’re extremely knotted up and tight. The patient usually confirms where they are by withdrawing and responding to the pain they receive when these spots are touched.
Initially in practice, I thought that massage therapy would be the best treatment for fibromyalgia. I was seeing patients with diffuse muscle pain accompanied by stress and fatigue. It seemed like relaxation massage from head to toe would make the person feel wonderful. My recommendations for massage, however, were usually volleyed back with a, “no way” or “that hurts”. I soon learned that too thorough massage and keeping a patient with FMS stay in one position for too long creates more tension on hot spots and often aggrevates their condition.
I imagined there had to be the right balance between treating the patient’s hot spots without causing more trouble for them before they presented. ART is a patented soft tissue treatment for muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves that has achieved a good reputation for muscle and joint injuries and conditions. ART has also been poorly generalized as a technique that only achieves results when it is painful. Sadly, that is not the truth. The founder of ART and his most experienced teachers stress ART treatments are only painful when they’re not applied correctly. With experience and the ability to adapt their tension and pressure, ART providers can drastically help patients with fibromyalgia. ART helps reduce the stress in the patient’s muscles comfortably, without aggravating hot spots.
Please note, like most medical treatment, individual patient results varies from patient to patient.
