Michael Barry, D.C.

Fibromyalgia (FM) management involves many treatment approaches. Last month, we discussed the importance of sleep quality, hormonal balance, infection management, nutritional supplementation, exercise, and the “SHINE” approach. This month, we are going to explore how important diet is in the management of FM.It’s been said that one of the most powerful tools the FM patient [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) management can be as difficult as making a definitive diagnosis. FM is characterized by generalized body aches and feeling exhausted, and yet, in spite of the exhaustion, the inability to sleep is a “classic” FM complaint. FM sufferers, as well as the caregivers, know how physically and mentally difficult it is to manage [..]

Neurotransmission is the method by which nerves “speak” to each other so impulses can be sent from one part of your body to the brain and back. For example, when you touch a hot plate by accident, it doesn’t take long before you quickly let go of the plate. The reason you let go quickly [..]

Last month, we focused on how important sleep is in the management of the fibromyalgia (FM) and the relationship between sleep dysfunction and restless leg syndrome. Now that it’s clear that the sleep and FM pairing is so important, how can we improve sleep quality? As previously stated, sleep dysfunction is a consistent complaint among [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) and sleep dysfunction seem to go hand in hand. In fact, most people who have FM complain of problems associated with sleeping. Sleep problems can include difficulty falling asleep with or without waking up one to multiple times a night. Also, the inability to reach “deep sleep” results in waking up feeling un-restored. [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder that affects each sufferer a little differently. Therefore, promoting a one diet approach for every FM patient doesn’t make a lot of sense. However, according to Dr. Ginevra Liptan, the medical director of the Frida Center for FM in Portland, Oregon, it is clear that what is included in a [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder that includes widespread musculoskeletal pain along with fatigue, sleep disturbance, memory changes, mood changes, and more. Studies show that FM amplifies or increases painful sensations by changing the way the brain processes pain signals. FM is NOT a psychological disorder that only people with a troubled past or present acquire. [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms are characterized by chronic generalized pain, and can include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, joint stiffness, numbness or tingling, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and can sometimes effect one's ability to process their thoughts clearly (cognitive dysfunction). It can come on fast, almost overnight, or it can develop very slowly over several years. This highly variable [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that (typically) evolves slowly over time and often occurs for no apparent reason. The diagnosis is usually made by excluding other conditions leaving you with a diagnosis that in the absence of anything else, "….must be fibromyalgia." Of course, the problem with that approach is that we all want to [..]

Exercise therapies have been identified as one of the most effective forms of treatment for Fibromyalgia (FM). Unfortunately, in a study of 121 newly diagnosed FM patient files, less than half included an exercise recommendation. This statistic is alarming! This month’s article will focus on FM studies that support the benefits of exercise.One study looked [..]