http://www.parkviewpub.com/chemistry.html
If you hurt all over, are tired all of the time, and are having difficulty sleeping, then you may have fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-al-ja) syndrome (FMS), along with seven to ten million other Americans. This is a common illness characterized by widespread muscular pain and fatigue in which standard medical tests fail to show abnormalities to account for the symptoms. However, new research is confirming the important relationship of the mind/brain and body and that we have more power to feel better and heal than we may have thought.
Fibromyalgia is part of a spectrum of chronic pain and other symptoms related to abnormal signal and information processing within the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The brain pathways that link the prefrontal cortex (thinking brain), limbic system (emotional brain), locus ceruleus (fight or flight stress response center), and thalamus (the switching center for signals sent to and from the brain) form what is called a neuromatrix. This interrelatedness is why thoughts, beliefs, hopes, and stress and emotional responses influence how much pain is felt for any given sensation or signal sent from the body to the brain. Once nerve signals from the body travel through the spinal cord to reach the brain and neuromatrix, the brain can send messages back to the body that can either increase or decrease the perception of pain and related symptoms.
Disturbances of the regulation and flow of signals within the neuromatrix helps to explain three observations.
...a.) First, numerous studies confirm that patients with fibromyalgia differ from healthy individuals in blood and spinal fluid levels of certain information relaying chemicals called neurotransmitters, such as substance P, and stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine.
...b.) Second, central nervous system sensitivity, known as "central sensitization," results in abnormal pain perception and the distressing pain of fibromyalgia.
...c.) Third, many fibromyalgia patients suffer not only with the widespread pain of fibromyalgia, but also with related symptoms of fatigue and disturbed sleep, and syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome and interstitial cystitis (irritable bladder syndrome).
The brain neuromatrix is affected by numerous factors outside and inside of the body, and some people seem to be more genetically susceptible than are others. Fibromyalgia can be triggered by an infection or physical trauma, such as an auto accident. Stress is another factor. Evidence is accumulating that most of the time, stress effects upon the body return to a state of normal functioning once the stress has passed. Unfortunately, in some people, this return to a normal state does not occur, resulting in chronic symptoms that are not necessarily related to ongoing stressors. For example, many patients who suffer from severe fibromyalgia and/or irritable bowel syndrome were the victims of physical and sexual abuse in childhood. It seems that abnormal exposure to such stress and trauma overstimulates the system, leading eventually to chronic malfunction.
Stress and emotional responses to stressors, feelings such as fear and anger, are also processed within the neuromatrix and expressed in the body and mind at both conscious and unconscious levels. For example, the common emotional response and feeling of fear may increase muscle tension and pain, elevate the heart rate, or create abdominal pain in an individual even if he or she has no sense or awareness of anxiety in the mind.
Thought, both positive and negative, originating in the prefrontal cortex of the brain can powerfully influence the perception of pain for better or for worse through the brain neuromatrix. If anxiety and/or depression are present, pain and symptoms can be amplified and enhanced. Finally, psychosocial and health related behaviors, including relationships with others, diet, exercise, tobacco and alcohol use, and stress management techniques have an affect, again for better or for worse.
So, the mind and body cannot be separated and the problem is not "all in the head." Instead, it is in the mindbody connection. Furthermore, scientific evidence of the health benefits of spirituality and beliefs are accumulating, so the more proper language is that it is in the MindBodySpirit Connection.
Here is what you can do to help yourself:
1.) Learn about the MindBodySpirit Connection and how it relates to fibromyalgia and other functional symptoms and syndromes. Your symptoms are explainable, and knowledge provides you with power to take charge of your health.
2.) Establish a relationship with a doctor in whom you have confidence and trust. Being heard and understood is a critical step to healing, and it is important to get a medical diagnosis. The doctor can help with treatments for pain, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression.
3.) Appreciate the distinction between treatment and healing, because they are not the same. Treatment is the use of an outside agent, usually in the form of medication, surgery, or physical therapy. Healing is the use of the inner power and resources of your MindBodySpirit to restore health. You have more power to feel better and heal than you may think that you have. Andrew Weil, MD, calls this natural healing. While Herbert Benson MD, terms it remembered wellness. Elliot Dacher, MD, considers it to be whole or intentional healing. Howard Brody, MD describes it as the inner pharmacy. John Sarno, MD calls it the mindbody prescription.
4.) Develop good psychosocial and health habits. For example, social isolation or dysfunctional relationships with others can increase symptoms. By contrast, knowing that other people care about you in a support group is health promoting.
5.) Have a stress management plan, which may include meditation, guided imagery, and/or progressive muscular relaxation exercises.
6.) Finally, focus on the power of your mind rather than upon the pain of your body. When people think that they are talking about emotional responses (feelings), they are usually describing their thoughts, and thoughts can be changed. If you find yourself thinking, "I will never get better," "I can't stand the pain any more," or "The pain is controlling my life," you can aggravate your pain and symptoms in at least three ways.
...a.) First, it is harder to develop a sense of power and control necessary to assume responsibility for your health.
...b.) Second, these stressful and self-defeating thoughts can increase muscle tension and pain by increasing the stress and emotional response of the body.
...c.) Third, such thoughts can increase pain and symptoms through the brain neuromatrix and opening the pain gate.
Learn more about this cognitive restructuring and cognitive therapy from books, the internet, or your doctor. As Norman Cousins said, "belief becomes biology."
William B. Salt. II, M.D.