Self Care and the Path to Wellness
In 1998, I had some significant life changes. All of which caused significant tolls on my mind, spirit and body. Over the course of a few weeks, I began experiencing interrupted sleep where I could not even sleep for 2 hours at a time, body numbness, wide spread pain all over my body, and extreme fatigue. Having an infant to take care of was becoming almost impossible and I sought help from a physician. I went from doctor to doctor, and many of them had no clue what was wrong with me. Finally, I found one that tested for Tender Points and told me I had Fibromyalgia, also known as FMS. She prescribed amitriptyline, a mild anti-depressant. At that time, very little was known about FMS, and this was commonly prescribed, especially since many physicians still thought FMS was “mostly in the head.” This did not help me very much, but I continued to take it for a period of five years, even though research had come to surface that prolonged use could damage the heart. During those many years, I was plagued with periods of pain, depression and extreme fatigue, known as ‘flare-ups.” Many times, I felt hopeless and inadequate, feeling like I could never again offer myself to the world as useful.
There are many different types of chronic illnesses, all which can make the sufferer feel like there is no hope in ever feeling well again. I am happy to say, through alternative treatments, I am almost in complete remission. Due to my experiences that have been a foundational part of my personal development as a human being, I have a heart for those who are suffering. Their pain is very real, in spite of what others may tell them, and they should have hope that they can, again, live a normal and productive life.
Massage and energy work CAN make a significant difference to chronic pain sufferers! During my training in massage therapy, I was tasked with working with chronic pain sufferers over a course of 10 weeks to see the affects of massage of the pain and sleep cycle of FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome). My project revealed to me, that it helps manage pain, increases relaxation, thus helping control triggers that lead to flare-ups. Specifically, Myofascial Release seemed to have the most impact on relieving symptoms and had a longer, lasting effect. While, energy work helps treat "dis-ease", energy imbalances that can lead to spiritual, emotional and physical issues.
This is where my heart is. If you suffer from a chronic syndrome, don't give up. There are medical and alternative treatments out there that can help you take steps to leading a "normal" life again. Self Care, under the supervision of a physician, is crucial on your path to wellness. If you would like more information or a PDF of my special populations project, please feel free to contact me.
