Working with Fibromyalgia
by Phil Steinberg (revised August 2008)
Fibromyalgia is the name that has been given for a rather complex malady, mostly defined by chronic pain within the muscular, ligamental & other soft tissue structures. There is no known single cause; but rather most likely a myriad of different causes including: long tern environmental toxin exposure with compromised liver function, a variety of different viruses, hypothyroidism and adrenal Fatigue or exhaustion, and severe mental/emotional stressors with associated depression. In addition, it has been found that many fibromyalgia sufferers are severely magnesium and/or B-vitamin deficient and have elevated copper & homocysteine levels.
Without performing various diagnostic methods, it can be difficult to assess what the underlying causes may be. Many chiropractors and other health practitioners will choose hair analysis, saliva, urine, stool & blood tests, while others may rely on muscle reflex testing techniques such as CRA or MRT to determine what approach will be most appropriate. Use of a simple Symptom Survey can also provide accurate information on specific physiological imbalances.
Starting with the 21 day Standard Process Purification Program will in most cases greatly relieve many of the symptoms and can help set the patient on the path to a better diet & healthier lifestyle. After the 3 week program an assessment may then be made as to what products would then be most appropriate based on the results of the 21 day Program.
Though diagnostic analysis is preferred, there are general protocols that one might use to help alleviate the pain and discomfort, as well as the oft times chronic fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. These protocols might be utilized prior to or after completing the purification program.
Following are 7 products that are considered most primary, with the first 2, Boswellia & Rehmannia Complexes oft times relieving much of the symptoms within 30 - 60 days.
Starting with the 21 day Standard Process Purification Program will in most cases greatly relieve many of the symptoms and can help set the patient on the path to a better diet & healthier lifestyle. After the 3 week program an assessment may then be made as to what products would then be most appropriate based on the results of the 21 day Program.
Though diagnostic analysis is preferred, there are general protocols that one might use to help alleviate the pain and discomfort, as well as the oft times chronic fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. These protocols might be utilized prior to or after completing the purification program.
Following are 7 products that are considered most primary, with the first 2, Boswellia & Rehmannia Complexes oft times relieving much of the symptoms within 30 - 60 days.
|
1. Boswellia complex -1 tab 4x per day may help relieve both the symptoms of chronic pain & inflammation. Always take with fat containing meals, as boswellia acids need fat to activate their anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Rehmannia Complex ~ 1 tab 4x per day in combination with Boswellia Complex will generally offer both better & faster results, further reducing pain & inflammation. 3-6. Cataplex B, Cataplex G, Folic Acid 812, and Beta food - 1 tab each 3x per day will supply all necessary 8 vitamins & betaine, necessary for reducing homocysteine levels and supporting liver & gall bladder function. 7. Super EFF -1 cap 2-3x per day will supply essential fatty acids and can reduce elevated copper and other toxic metals. |
|
Additional products to be aware of are as follows:
Zinc Liver Chelate - 1 tab 2-3x per day may be used instead of Super EFF or in addition, to reduce excess copper. Be advised however, that if one begins dumping copper too quickly, they may experience greater anxiety and other emotional symptoms.
Moly-Cu, a product available from Analytical Research Labs (phone: 602-995-1580) can be especially helpful at alleviating copper dumping symptoms. Also important: Long term use of Zinc (over 60 days) without copper, can eventually create a copper deficiency.
Chezyn is another product that contains the proper ratios of Zinc, Copper & Iron and is an excellent supplement to use when all 3 of these minerals are deficient.
Catalyn - 2 tabs 3x per day for foundational support as a multiple whole food vitamin & mineral or
Cyrofood 34 tabs 3x per day when a whole food multiple with additional bone support is warranted.
Rhodiola & Ginseng Complex - 1 tab 2-4x per day - especially good for chronic mental, physical, adrenal fatigue & exhaustion, chronic immune depletion, etc
Cat's claw Complex -1-2 tabs 3x per day - Promotes general blood & systemic purification, enhances immunity and provides significant antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory properties. Many have found cat's claw to be helpful with both the pain of fibromyalgia and the debility of chronic fatigue.
Magnesium Lactate -2 caps 3x per day -Necessary for the relaxation of muscles & soft tissues, acts as a natural calmative, and for some provides pain relief.
Zinc Liver Chelate - 1 tab 2-3x per day may be used instead of Super EFF or in addition, to reduce excess copper. Be advised however, that if one begins dumping copper too quickly, they may experience greater anxiety and other emotional symptoms.
Moly-Cu, a product available from Analytical Research Labs (phone: 602-995-1580) can be especially helpful at alleviating copper dumping symptoms. Also important: Long term use of Zinc (over 60 days) without copper, can eventually create a copper deficiency.
Chezyn is another product that contains the proper ratios of Zinc, Copper & Iron and is an excellent supplement to use when all 3 of these minerals are deficient.
Catalyn - 2 tabs 3x per day for foundational support as a multiple whole food vitamin & mineral or
Cyrofood 34 tabs 3x per day when a whole food multiple with additional bone support is warranted.
Rhodiola & Ginseng Complex - 1 tab 2-4x per day - especially good for chronic mental, physical, adrenal fatigue & exhaustion, chronic immune depletion, etc
Cat's claw Complex -1-2 tabs 3x per day - Promotes general blood & systemic purification, enhances immunity and provides significant antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory properties. Many have found cat's claw to be helpful with both the pain of fibromyalgia and the debility of chronic fatigue.
Magnesium Lactate -2 caps 3x per day -Necessary for the relaxation of muscles & soft tissues, acts as a natural calmative, and for some provides pain relief.
|
Whole Desiccated Adrenal - 2 tabs 3x per day - for chronic fatigue provides a stimulatory effect; but does not rebuild the adrenals. Use for 30-60 days to bring up the patients energy, then switch them to
Drenamin 2 tabs 3x per day for long term rebuilding of the glands. Nevaton - 1-2 tabs 3x per day -A tonic for mental fatigue, depression, anxiety, nerve & liver support. Also provides anti-viral properties. ChelaCo - 1 tab 3x per day - for toxic & heavy metal chelation & detoxification. Saligesic - 1-2 tabs 2x per day -as a natural analgesic for additional control of pain & inflammation. |
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The opinions and suggestions for using MediHerb & Standard Process products expressed above have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. As such, they are meant to be used as nutritional support only, not as treatments for any disease, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Standard Process or MediHerb. There are no doubt, numerous, additional possibilities for combining and working with these two exciting product lines. Only you the practitioner, seeing patients on a day to day basis, can and will determine what new and unique combinations will be most appropriate in any individual case.