Understanding Fibromyalgia

I suffer from both FMS and CMP, and this is the most insightive and helpful book for me. I believe it has and will continue to benefit my life. Extemely eye opening material.

C. Ureno, LMT, NCTMB

This course was very challenging and kept my attention. I loved it and felt I got a better understanding of Fibromyalgia. Thank you!

C. Hernandez, LMT, NCTMB

Wonderful course, and so relevant and crucial for anyone in the health care industry.

L. Rhodes, LMP

I really enjoyed course because I could do it at my own pace. Sitting at one of those weekend classes is exhausting.

T. Digregorio, LMT, NCBTMB

Well-written and thorough.

Daniel Swetman, LMT

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain was an excellent course because it systematically explained the disorder, discussed physiology, treatment options with diagrams, and perpetuating factors which can complicate the affliction. A family member has recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and I now feel I understand what I can do to help.

Heidi Gerner, CMT, NCTMB

This course is great.It gave me a better understanding of FMS and CMP.

Jedadia Ketchabaw, LMT

The book that came with the fibromyalgia course is excellent! Way better than I expected; it's very well researched by two writers who suffer from fibromyalgia and myofacial pain syndrome.

Susan Clay, LMT, NCTMB

Great course! I am excited to see in print many of the conclusions I have come to in my own work. Especially I noted when you said that Rolfing could be effective, in conjunction with others in the "team", for resolving FMS. I have found this too!

Chad Bradbury, LMT, NCTMB

Well written....

Candida Rodriquez, LMT, NCTMB

This course was very helpful. Two of my daughters have experienced this condition and I am now able to be of help.

C. Donna Mastrandrea, LMT

I enjoyed learning more about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain. As a Massage Therapist, I have several clients who have Fibromyalgia and receive alot of relief from massage. After reading this book it helped me understand more about it and also the effect of Trigger Points in the body in any person, not only those with FMS. I think now I want to learn about Trigger Point Therapy because that is definitely something that will really help people from developing many painful problems. I really think many people don't have any idea about how bad Trigger Points are and how much better they will feel if they are inactivated/alleviated.

Cynthia Hoffmeister, LMT

This content will assist me in both my nursing and massage practice!! Very interesting!!

Joanne Bruno, LMT

The text was excellent and the whole experience presented very professionally.

Suzanne Duggan, LMT

I always find the course material very informative, always gives me new information I can use in my professional and personal life.

Mary O'Leary, LMT

Very concise and thorough information. Presented in an easy to understand and enjoyable reading. Invaluable trigger point info.

Steve Pearson, LMT, NCTMB

Job well done. I'm a tough critic.

Cindy Rebouche, LMT

This book needs to be put in the hands of people who suffer from Fibromyalgia so they can receive the information from these pages and start to understand their body. This book was an eye opener to symptons that I have and others I know have and how to HELP. Thanks

Georgette Cristina, LMT, NCTMB

I enjoyed this course very much and has made me already plan for my next direction for c.e.u.'s next year. thank you very much for all your professional and courteous help. I look forward to doing business with you in the future again.

Jennifer Manchester

The text book was great!

Marsha McArthur, LMT

Although I enjoyed this course I did find it a bit challenging for myself, I worked much harder to complete this exam.

Theresa Girouard, LMT, NCTMB

Very happy with this course. I have many clients with Fibromyalgia and the information was very helpful for not only me but information I can share with my clients.

Denita Dudley, LMT

This course was so helpful to me! I now have a clearer picture of what fibromyalgia is, and the appropriate treatment plan for mu clients. The text book was informative and well written.

Danielle Tiedeman, LMT

This course has transformed my deep tissue practice. I feel that I can do deep tissue all day, every day.

Lydia Haig, LMT, NCTMB, ABMP

It is very useful and helpful.

Jing Cai

I massage clients with this problem and this course opened my eyes to how they are actually feeling so further work on them will be to their benefit. Thank you. I can help them more.

Gail K. Berton, LMT

Great course, very informative and helpful. It will be an asset to my business. Thanks!

Priscilla Collins, LMT

Interesting course, readable, and useful for people who are suffering with FM/CFS to help develop a treatment plan course of action.

Roberta Smith, RMT

The course was very in depth. Thank you for the education and being thorough.

Amanda Dupas, LMT

This course was very informative. A lot I did not know! The staff is absolutely wonderful and very helpful! Thank you so very much for your Institution!

Colleen L. Clairmont, LMT

Excellent, excellent, excellent

Maria Fakhoury, CMT

I though this would be boring...it was really very good and held my attention! Thank you!

Karen R. LaLonde, LMT

This course was very helpful and interesting. I can definitely use this information in my practice. I really love the fact that it was written by someone with first hand experience with Fibromyalgia. Very interesting and I enjoyed the course very much.

Karen Dawn Smith, LMT

This was a great course and should be taught in massage schools.

Julie McNeill, LMT

1. Describe Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP).
2. Describe trigger points and therapeutic approaches to release them.
3. Identify the distinguishing characteristics of FMS and CMP and how they affect people's quality of life.
4. Recognize what is indicated and contraindicated in giving bodywork and emotional support to people who have FMS and/or CMP.
5. Identify accurate information that you would give to clients about FMS and CMP.
6. Using the textbook as a reference, locate accurate resources that can give you and your clients more information.

"The proper treatment of patients with both FMS and CMP requires special skills. In CMP, a chronic pain condition exists with many different symptoms, TrPs, and perpetuating factors that will be magnified by the pain amplification aspect of FMS. Furthermore, some of the treatments normally prescribed for FMS patients can harm CMP patients, and the reverse is also true.

Fibromyalgia patients can tolerate slow and gentle strengthening of muscles. Chronic myofascial pain patients can't. You cannot strengthen a muscle that harbors a trigger point. If you have FMS and CMP, you are not as likely to experience pain relief from TrP injections. Some people do receive temporary pain relief from the injections, but some get none at all. Even if you do receive some relief, you may have severe post injection soreness." (Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain by Devin Starlyanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland, MS, MA, 2001, p. 33)

The differences between fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic myofascial pain (CMP) include all of the following EXCEPT:

1. FMS has muscle weakness and CMP does not
2. CMP is related to trigger points and their referral patterns but FMS pain is more generalized
3. CMP causes lumps, bumps and ropy bands in the muscles and FMS does not
4. FMS has hypersensitivity to pain and CMP does not