Dealing with Chronic Pain, Sleep and Relaxation

Simply put, visualization is the process of forming mental images; it is the primary component of the imagination.

Visualization is at the core of the human ability to create, innovate and dream.

Many of history's inventors and artists attribute their success to an exceptional ability to visualize. Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Henry Ford, and the great composer, Chopin all reported using creative visualization to spark their imaginations. Additionally, Albert Einstein once said he came up with the theory of relativity by imagining what would happen if he could travel through space on the tip of a light beam.

Creative visualization can transport you out of a state of stress or fear, and into a new space of inner calm, peace and tranquility. Additionally, a natural byproduct of creative visualization occurs when the body goes loose and limp, creating the relaxation response - the perfect state for learning and focusing on goals.

Mind/Body Support

Visualization has long been the primary tool for mind/body support. From a scientific perspective, we know, that because visualization directly impacts the body's neurological system, it can have a direct influence on us physically.

Try this for an example: Imagine I have just handed you a large, yellow, juice-filled lemon. You slice the lemon into quarters and bring one of the quarters to your mouth and bite into it . . . what happened? Did your mouth begin to pucker? Did it fill with saliva? This is a naturally occurring neurological response to an imagined thought.

Have you ever watched a horror film, and, in the midst of the excitement, found your palms sweating and your heart pounding? You knew it was "just a movie," right?

If your mind can cause this kind of impact on your body, is there any reason it can't relax your muscles, overpower nicotine, stimulate your metabolism, or even do away with chronic pain?

Why Use Creative Visualization and Guided Relaxation Together?

We all have an inner critic, a part of our mind which, based on past experience, rejects unfamiliar information without proper evaluation. This is known as the critical factor. Studies show that relaxation techniques subdue this critical factor, making you receptive to new ideas. Even though it may seem counterintuitive to "let go in order to gain control," this is exactly what happens during the relaxation response.

Through NewReality's visualization techniques, you experience positive and appropriate ways to imagine your personal goals. This helps you remain optimistic and motivated toward changes that bring about your success.

CVR Provides the Missing Link to Wellness

Recent research shows excessive stress can suppress the immune system. Therefore, it's vital to incorporate a program of stress reduction and relaxation into your everyday routine. By reducing anxiety and stress, and increasing relaxation, you can boost your immune system and use your own unlimited resources to improve your life.

But don't think CVR is only a nice, relaxing daydream. People who regularly relax with CVR processes enjoy a number of side-benefits. These may include:

Increased blood flow to the brain, resulting in clearer thinking, better concentration, improved memory and enhanced creativity

• A 21% increase in serotonin, which calms the mind and body and creates an overall sense of wellbeing
• A 25% increase in endorphins, the hormones that flow through your body when you feel happy
• Better sleep patterns. Twenty minutes of CVR can be equivalent to 2-3 hours of sleep, so you may find yourself sleeping less, feeling more rested, accomplishing more, and finding extra enjoyment in life
• Soaring energy levels
• More fulfilling relationships
• Improved career satisfaction
• A clearer sense of purpose
• And last, but certainly not least, a seemingly effortless ability to manage stress

Restless Leg Syndrome Linked To Fibromyalgia

October 19, 2010 A new study says adults with fibromyalgia have a much higher prevalence and risk of RLS than anyone else.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, it is estimated 5 million Americans age 18 or older area affected by Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue and the causes still remain unknown. RLS is a sleep-related movement disorder that involves an urge to move the legs that is usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs. Now researchers of Loyola University Medical Center are saying treating RLS may improve sleep and quality of life in people with fibromyalgia.

They studied 172 people with fibromyalgia and then compared them with 63 people with no signs of the disease. Pain was assessed by subjective report and by measurement with a dolorimeter, a spring-loaded gauge that is used to apply standardized rates of pressure to tender points on the arms and legs.

Results showed that the prevalence of restless legs syndrome was about 10 times higher in the fibromyalgia group than it the healthier group. After taking under consideration their age, gender and ethnicity, participants with fibromyalgia were 11 times more likely than controls to have RLS. In the fibromyalgia group these sleep problems were more severe among people who also had RLS.
"Sleep disruption is common in fibromyalgia, and often difficult to treat," contributing author Dr. Nathaniel F. Watson, associate professor of neurology at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. was quoted saying. "It is apparent from our study that a substantial portion of sleep disruption in fibromyalgia is due to restless legs syndrome."

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, October 2010 as reported on Invanhoe.com

Restless Leg & Fibromyalgia

MyocalmPM works well for many to alleviate symptoms of restless leg syndrome & sleep.

November 25, 2010 The Journal of Clinical has just published a study this October revealing a substantial association between RLS (restless leg syndrome) and fibromylagia. This association is so powerful that persons with fibromylagia are eleven times more of a possibility to have RLS then those persons in the general populace.

 

Both of these conditions incline to keep those who endure the conditions to stay awake at night. RLS a neurological disorder identified by strange feeling that run through the legs linked with the uncontrollable desire to move the legs in hopes of providing relief. Persons who endure this disorder describe the feelings as burning, tugging and as if incests were crawling inside the legs. The feeling extend from minor discomfort to immense pain. In contrary fibromylagia is a complicated condition with vast range of symptoms. Until of late, a lot health practitioners did not recognize fibromylagia as a condition but merely as a person imaging things. As the same in both in conditions the cause is still unknown. Fibromylagia produces numerous tender areas in the muscles and joints included on places of the back and neck, knees and elbows and causes fatigue, general body aches, low tolerance for exercise and enduring facial muscle pain and aching. Fibromylagia cases appear in 85% of women.

The association between these two conditions was explained in the journal. A study conducted had observed 172 persons enduring fibromylagia. Among them 93% were women. The average age was fifty years old. Comparisons to a control group of persons who did not endure pain and fatigue with an average age of forty-one years old. Researchers had discovered 33% of the group with fibromylagia also had RLS compared to 3.1% of the control group.

Dr. Nathaniel F. Watson, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Washington in Seattle and one of the researchers commented in a news release that sleep disturbances is usual for persons with fibromylagia and most of the time is hard to treat. According to the study it is obvious that a major part of sleep disruptions in fibromylagia is caused by RLS.

Conventional medicine usually treats RLS with medications in hopes for improvement in sleep and the overall condition of those persons who also have fibromylagia. This treatment type goes way back to 1996 in which had discovered the same association of these two conditions. When the advocated treatment consisted of prescribed medications which had included colonazepan in hopes of bringing RLS under some form of control. The side effects of that particular drug had included dizziness, blurred vision and muscle pain. Not too much other other ones such as weight gain, depression and suicidal thoughts. It also brought up severe skin reactions that in some cases had proved fatal.

Now in current day we still have the medications which are used. These include a drug Mirapex, that contain its own ongoing list of side effects including sleeplessness, nausea, vomiting and compulsive behaviors. Of course there is also Valium and its side effects which include sleeplessness, vomiting and in severe reactions can include muscle loss, depression, rage, tremors and sleeplessness. The medication list keeps on going with almost nearly all similar side effects.

Many persons today use alternative treatments in order to treat both fibromylagia and RLS when they have the conditions at the same time. There are some alternative treatments that have been proven effective in the treatment of both of these conditions. A few of the most noted ones are listed.

Chiropractic
Chiropractic care has been known to be the top choice in alternative treatments to treat both of these debilitating conditions. It has been shown to greatly decrease the excruciating pain, incapacitating fatigue and joint stiffness all associated to fibromylagia.
In recent surveys nine out of ten patients suffering from RLS have found relief from through symptoms with chiropractic treatments. The treatments can provide the correcting of extremely instability in the feet, knees, ankles and hips. Adjustments made to the pelvic and lumbo-sacral instability.

Along with different manipulation techniques exercises such as leg stretching may be recommended along with nutritional advice and herbal supplements.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another popular choice of persons who endure either one or both of these conditions.
Acupuncture study on fibromylagia was conducted by the Mayo Clinic. Their findings had indicated that after acupuncture treatments major improvements was found in patients in the area of fatigue and anxiety. Even though according to the study it did decrease pain, an additional choice treatment such as pain medication was indicated.

Acupuncture on RLS symptoms has been noted to reduce stress and fatigue. It is still suggested to also use another alternative treatment in combination with acupuncture for greater decrease of symptoms.

Acupressure may also be used for those who just do not like needles and provide the same outcomes.

Supplements
Magnesium used for both conditions. By not having enough magnesium in the body conditions of can cause sleep disturbances such as in those of RLS. When used for fibromylagia it has been noted that it may aide in pain reduction.

Calcium has also been used for both of the conditions. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters release muscle contractions. These levels have been seen in persons with fibromylagia who suffer from RLS at the same time. Calcium is usually taken as a supplement. Currently there are supplements which combine calcium and vitamin D.

Herbs
Melatonin has been used for both conditions. It is taken as a sleep aide and can cause drowsiness in daytime hours. It is recommended to avoid driving and exercise until you know how this herb effects your system.

Skullcap is also used as a sleep aide. Please note Chinese Skullcap is used as a sleep aide. American Skullcap is a mild relaxer for anxiety. These are two totally different herbs.
Valerian even though used for muscle pain and spasms it is also used as a sleep aide.
Kava Kava before bedtime can relax muscles in both cases.

Tia Chi
Due to this gentle form of movement which is slow it provides health benefits including muscle strength and flexibility. Studies have shown Tia Chi is a helpful for many conditions including arthritis, heart disease, fibromylagia and RLS.

Yoga
For persons with fibromyalagia it can reduce symptoms by at least 30% in areas include pain, fatigue, and stiffness. Which indirectly yields benefits for those with RLS the daily stretching and meditation that comes from yoga often decreases the symptoms in RLS.

Massage Therapy
Myofascial Release techniques is both fibromyalagia and RLS.
In fibromyalagia it decreases pain in the bodies fascia, which is brought on my myofascial pain. Fascia is a thin layer of tissues which covers all muscles and organs in the body. In persons with fibromyalagia the fascia becomes very short and tense producing pain. This therapy uses stretching techniques which decrease the pain.

In RLS this same techniques is used to help decrease the tingling sensation which is felt in the legs allowing for a more restful sleep.

Diet
There are four foods in which are in common to be eliminated from the diet for either condition or as in some cases both. Chocolate, coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages. These things heighten fatigue and pain. They also have the ability to lower levels of blood glucose.

A healthy balanced diet is recommended in both conditions which include consuming four or five smaller meals instead of three large meals. It will maintain all muscles to function properly.
Processed foods in general are not a healthy idea. They contain massive amounts of saturated fats that cause interference with the circulatory system not to mention can cause pain and fatigue.
Consume plenty of fluids which include water, fresh juice and even herbal teas.

Source: AllVoice.com by Debbie Nicholson

Relieving Fibromyalgia

Music Therapy Aids in Relieving Fibromyalgia

May 27, 2011 Spanish researchers have discovered an innovative, non-pharmacological method to help individuals suffering from fibromyalgia — music therapy.

In a new study, University of Granada researchers showed that music therapy in association with guided imagery or other relaxation techniques significantly reduced pain, relieved depression and anxiety and improve sleep.

Experts believe use of music therapy and guided imagery allows people to have more control over their body, thereby enhancing personal well-being.

The research was conducted with patients suffering from fibromyalgia from the provinces of Granada, Almería and Córdoba, Spain. Study participants were evaluated at the beginning of the treatment, four weeks after the intervention, and eight weeks after the intervention, at the end of the study. The researchers utilized a relaxation technique based on guided imagery and music therapy to patients.

Patients were given a CD to listen at home. Then, researchers measured a number of variables associated with the main symptoms of fibromyalgia including pain intensity, quality of life, impact of the condition on patient’s daily life, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy and well-being. Patients were also able to participate in their own treatment by learning how they could obtain symptomatic relief.

While the method helps individuals obtain relief, additional studies are needed to address other physiological variables associated with well-being, the researchers said.

Source: Pysch.com