Managing Fibromyalgia Pain -- Everyday Things

Catherine, thank you so very much for this piece!  And for those who don't know Lumigrate inside and out like I do (at least I hope to!), this is Catherine's first submission and she, like me, is 'technologically challenged' but enjoying the learning curve she said to me.  I really value your courage, as I have many others in the year and a half Lumigrate has been collecting information from the public and medical consumers or medical providers who want to 'get the information out' with the tool of the Internet but it's all new to them. 

I wanted to give a link here to a wonderful hour-long seminar / interview by Cinda Crawford of Christopher Lepisto, ND (who has three videos on Lumigrate.com and was one of the wonderful speakers I saw three years ago who inspired me to 'do' Lumigrate.com as a new way of educating patients.  He talks about the hydrotherapy showers, and back when I met him I was doing 'contrast baths' with patients hands to reduce swelling but never thought about extending that technique to the overall body.  I am actually looking to incorporate that into my 'new routine' of taking a shower at bedtime (as well as one to start my day, but that one is the warm one, as always).  I used to feel like I should be conserving water, as that is an overall need in the world and most communities, but I decided that for what my body needs, I might loosen up on that renewable resource and focus my efforts for being 'green' in other areas instead.  I mention this as it's an example of how we each have to take in ALL the information and then decide for ourSELVES what is best for ME.  YOU, as seen on the home page model of Lumigrate.... 

www.lumigrate.com/forum/my-interview-naturopathic-medicine-cfs-and-fms-cinda-crawfords-website.  (And so ya'll know where to find this on Lumigrate:  Forums.  Fibromyalgia section (green header), Top Picks about Fibromyalgia on Lumigrate, because I really REALLY liked the one hour EASY to listen to format of this interview of Cinda Crawford and Christopher Lepisto ... it has a lot of information about superinfections, what fibromyalgia is from Dr. Lepisto's perspective (and he very much includes the psychological/mind aspect of health), as well as the universally available shower suggestion, such as what Catherine also included in this piece.

Thanks to all who contribute in the information stream at Lumigrate and remember, it's a lot more powerful to know something when you teach others as well! (Therefore the Print buttons on here, our facebook presence so people can post links, etc).  ~~ Mardy

Thanks Cathy!!

I really do need to try the Contrast Shower thing.  I hate being cold and can't handle cold paks, but wondering if cool would be enough to help.  It's worth a shot, right?   

The one thing I'll add is use of a rice sock, which can be heated or frozen!

Here's how to:

• One large men's all cotton sport sock
• Fill with cheap uncooked rice, it will take a lot of rice! (white has less oil so will not go rancid longer)
• Add some herbs for aromatherapy (I have one with peppermint and one with lavander!)
• Tie off the end with some yarn!  Tada!

I spritz a bit of water on the sock and pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes or so (your micro may be different, so play with this) and then can wrap it around my neck, lay on it, use it nearly anywhere.   For those who prefer cold, just keep it in the freezer, but use layers of material such as a towel between your body and the sock!

Grate info Cathy!!  Thanks SO much for the time! 

Thank you both, Mardy and Aimee, for reading my article. I appreciate your comments and encouragement.  I enjoyed writing it very much.

Catherine

Thanks, Aimee, for putting in your socks recipe!  I'm always a believer in setting people up with information and options. 

Here's a link to the page of Therabeads at the YouCan Toocan in Denver, which sells an amazing array of medical equipment, clothing/adaptive products.  You can click on Search and look for other words such as cold pack, etc.  I cannot more highly recommend this company as a source to purchase from if anyone is looking for a source (they'll ship anywhere in the US currently).  Their staff is very well trained and can take you over the phone through quite the process of figuring out what you might want to be ordering/purchasing.  I met the owner back when I was in OT school and she came to speak to our class, and I've been a MUCH better OT to many many people due to the nice catalogs she's send me to show people about adaptive equipment (then they could obtain it or make something similar on their own from there). 

www.youcantoocan.com/search.cfm