This book explores Naturopathic Medical Research and natural solutions for Fibromyalgia.

Over the past many years, within my own medical private practice I have come across an unprecedented number of patients reporting abnormally elevated sensitivity to pain. At the same time, many of these fibromyalgic patients are also experiencing other chief concerns beyond widespread chronic muscle and joint discomfort. This often explains their health history of clinical confusion and misdiagnosis.

Listed below are ten of the many random complaints my Fibromyalgia patients have reported to me:

1. Myalgia (Unrelenting muscle ache throughout the body with increased sensitivity and pain when touched; sometimes associated with morning joint stiffness)

2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (passing alternating hard to liquid stool; gas and bloating with abdominal discomfort; sensitivity to various foods, especially gluten or wheat based products)

3. Chronic Fatigue (Low energy throughout the day; difficulty initiating sleep while also feeling unrested upon waking; often experiencing mid-afternoon sleepiness with intense caffeine or sugar cravings)

4. Headaches (intermittent or chronic tension headaches; sometimes with dizziness and light sensitivity/photophobia)

5. Dysmenorrhea (painful periods consisting of intense menstrual cramping)

6. Weight Loss Resistance (An inability to lose weight despite dietary caloric restriction and a consistent exercise regimen)

7. Jaw Pain (Sometimes presenting with stress and headaches; often related to 'bruxism' which is an abnormal grinding or clenching of the teeth)

8. Cognitive Dysfunction (Feeling "hazy" or "foggy" with memory; difficulty concentrating on tasks and poor verbal recall)

9. Neuralgia (Nerve Pain which may present as burning, stabbing, numbness or tingling in the body)

10. Skin Abnormalities (Sensitive skin that is reactive to temperature changes; which may at times present with a rash or reaction to various chemicals in daily cosmetic products)

According to research published by The American College of Rheumatology, Fibromyalgia now affects up to 8% of the population making it one of the top diagnosed rheumatic disorders. However, despite increased recognition of this disabling and chronic condition it has been estimated that millions of sufferers are still undiagnosed.

So, why is there such discrepancy in diagnosis?

Perhaps it is due to the poor medical diagnostic and testing criteria for Fibromyalgia. Alternatively, it may also be due to the fact that this disorder often presents with so many varied symptoms; which tend to mimic a long list of other health disorders and pathologies.

The implications of this are significant!

Many Fibromyalgia patients are suffering from chronic pain that greatly disables their ability to engage in even the most basic activities of daily living. Some activities that may be compromised include physical movement (cooking, cleaning, exercising), job performance and more significantly, social relationships with family and friends. Subsequently, this can result in low mood and an overall poor quality of life for fibromyalgia syndrome patients.