August 30, 2012
The 2012 Pain Awareness Event, sponsored by the Oregon Pain Management Commission, will be held September 13. This year’s topic: “Empowering the Patient Through Self Management of Pain.” Spaces for this free event are still available, but you must register in advance.
May 15, 2012
New research from Oregon Health & Science University suggests that regularly practicing t’ai chi can improve several fibromyalgia symptoms.
April 2, 2012
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is only six weeks away! The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association is sponsoring walks, supporting events, and sharing tips on how to organize events in your area.
January 23, 2012
Both cognition and mental clarity are commonly affected by fibromyalgia. The Mental Clutter Scale has been developed by Robert S. Katz et al. to measure these symptoms in an effort to quantify and assess their scope. Learn more and view the poster.
January 9, 2012
Does tracking your daily symptoms, activities, and experiences help you manage your fibromyalgia symptoms? Try this new tool, developed by Tamara Staples of the Portland Area Fibromyalgia – ME/CFS Support Group: a new Healing Companion Journal that can help you identify patterns and triggers in your daily life. It’s free to download.
December 26, 2011
Registration has begun for activities in The Studio at The Frida Center for Fibromyalgia! Programs begin January 9 and cover a broad range of therapies designed to help fibromites better manage their condition: gentle yoga, art therapy, and action planning are just a few of the many options on tap.
December 19, 2011
The Fibromyalgia Conference and Pamper Weekend, sponsored by the Fibromyalgia Association UK, will be held April 6-9 at the Chicester Park Hotel in West Sussex. Although day passes are available for the first time, the best deal is the Friday-to-Monday rate of just £179 (roughly $280). This conference offers a unique blend of science and entertainment: while there will be plenty of research-based programming, such activities as a bake-off and a knitting contest will add to the fun and community spirit.
December 12, 2011
Dr. Walitt, the study’s senior author, heads the recently-established Fibromyalgia Evaluation and Research Center, a “virtual” treatment facility for fibromyalgia and related conditions.
November 28, 2011
Dr. Brian Walitt, Dr. John VanMeter, and Manish Khatiwada of Georgetown University Medical Center presented “Effect of aerobic exercise on working memory in fibromyalgia” on November 13, 2011, as part of Neuroscience 2011, a major conference held by the Society for Neuroscience. Study participants stopped taking prescribed medications, replacing them with ninety minutes of aerobic exercise per week, and reported improvements in memory retention, pain levels, and overall well-being: the study found that “Brain functioning is more streamlined after exercise because fewer of the brain’s resources are devoted to processing pain.” Importantly, this study confirms that fibromyalgia pain is real and likely proceeds from the central nervous system. While the study sample is small and much research still needs to be done, these are important and validating findings for fibromites everywhere.
Dr. Walitt, the study’s senior author, heads the recently-established Fibromyalgia Evaluation and Research Center, a “virtual” treatment facility for fibromyalgia and related conditions.
November 21, 2011
Leading journal Practical Pain Management helps bridge the theory-practice link, combining the latest research with real clinical experience to help find new answers to complex questions. Dr. I. Jon Russell recently published two excellent articles here: “Fibromyalgia: Practical Approaches to Diagnosis and Treatment”, part 1 and part 2. I highly recommend these: they do a great job of summing up current trends in fibromyalgia research in a readable fashion. Consider sharing these with your healthcare professional!
November 15, 2011
The American College of Rheumatology held its Annual Scientific Meeting earlier this month in Chicago. Much of the research discussed dealt with fibromyalgia! Learn more about what was presented – and how it can help you.
November 14, 2011
The Portland Area Fibromyalgia – ME/CFS Group has very kindly asked me to present a free webinar to their membership – and to anyone else who cares to listen! I will be discussing “Holiday-Related Stress and Self-Care” – and taking your live questions – in an open-to-everyone event November 14 at 6:00PM PST. If you’d like, you can even submit questions in advance by following the links above. If you can’t listen tonight, the webinar will be archived: visit the group’s website to learn more. I hope you can join us!
November 6, 2011
The Portland Area Fibromyalgia – ME/CFS Group has very kindly asked me to present a free webinar to their membership – and to anyone else who cares to listen! I will be discussing “Holiday-Related Stress and Self-Care” – and taking your live questions – in an open-to-everyone event November 14 at 6:00PM PST. If you’d like, you can even submit questions in advance by following the links above. I hope you can join us!
October 31, 2011
No matter where you live, the end of Daylight Savings Time is at hand! Many countries have already made the switch to Standard Time, but the U.S. and others will set their clocks an hour back on Sunday, November 6.
October 24, 2011
Participants STILL needed for new research opportunity at Oregon Health Sciences University: “Peripheral Blood Genomic Biomarkers for Primary Fibromyalgia Research Study” will examine both fibromites and healthy control subjects for genetic indicators of fibromyalgia.
October 17, 2011
Participants needed for new research opportunity at Oregon Health Sciences University: “Peripheral Blood Genomic Biomarkers for Primary Fibromyalgia Research Study” will examine both fibromites and healthy control subjects for genetic indicators of fibromyalgia.
October 10, 201
According to a recent report, “the U.S. accounted for nearly 80 percent of major-market fibromyalgia sales in 2010, and in 2020 the U.S. will account for two-thirds of worldwide sales for the indication.”
October 3, 2011
The New York Times Magazine has just published its annual “Food and Drink” issue. The most important features for fibromites include Mark Bittman‘s “Can a Dinner Party Ever Be Stress-Free?”, which shares fairly easy and tremendously flexible recipes, and Michael Pollan‘s “Mysteries Solved, Riddles Explained and Readers’ Questions Answered”, discussing such topics as gluten-free diets and proper fish cookery. But the whole thing is tremendously informative – worth a read if you have access.
September 26, 2011
Curious about the relationship between the National Fibromyalgia Association and the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association? So are a lot of other people! Now there are two sets of documents you can read to learn more.
NFMCPA President Jan Chambers recently released a statement addressing many common questions about the two organizations. NFA Founder Lynna Matallana’s covers similar territory and includes an overview of the growth and development of national FM advocacy efforts.
Taken together, these pieces give fibromites valuable information about our history as a community and the next steps we need to take. Read them today!
September 19, 2011
The National Institutes of Medicine recently released the groundbreaking Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research, which may be downloaded or read online at no cost. The much shorter report brief is available here.
September 12, 2011
It’s Invisible Illness Awareness Week here in the U.S. This helpful FAQ provides lots of information – including how you can get involved.
September 6, 2011
The inaugural issue of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain LIFE 2011 is now available online from the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association.
August 29, 2011
PAINWeek: The National Conference on Pain for the Frontline Practitioner begins September 7. This annual conference is critical to sharing the most current research about pain, how it operates, and how it can be alleviated. Check out the schedule to see the full range of topics under discussion or the list of accepted abstracts to explore the scope of study.
August 22, 2011
Fibromyalgia research pioneer Robert M. Bennett, M.D., has led the way in developing a new Fibromyalgia app for the iPad!
August 15, 2011
BREAKING NEWS 8/15/11
The EEOC has filed suit against The Children’s Hospital Association (Colorado) for having “intentionally and unlawfully discriminated against an applicant for hire due to her disability, fibromyalgia.” The Denver Post reports that the EEOC is asking the hospital to hire Cecilia McMurray as a staff assistant.
August 1, 2011
Oregon Health Sciences University is looking for participants – both with AND without chronic pain, so there’s a control group – for a new study about chronic pain and parenting. Adult participants must have a child between 11 and 15 years of age. Participants and their children will be required to visit OHSU once for “exercise tasks and sensory testing” and will be asked to complete two written questionnaires over the course of one year. Learn more and register for the study!
July 25, 2011
Can music therapy alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms and improve quality of life? Some Spanish researchers think so. What do you think?
July 18, 2011
Although this article was first published in April 2010 and therefore isn’t “news”, we do recommend reading “A Fibromyalgia Doctor’s Advice for Dealing with the Physical Tasks of Daily Life”, by Dr. Mark J. Pellegrino. Let us know what you think!
July 11, 2011
FibroTV: Making Positive Connections has begun airing podcasts!
June 27, 2011
A recently-published study demonstrates that craniosacral therapy can significantly improve the quality of life for fibromites.
June 20, 2011
Congratulations to All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia for completing – and setting a record in – the Race Across the West!
June 14, 2011
A new study has confirmed the role played by genetics in the development of fibromyalgia.
June 6, 2011
Thanks to the Fibro Blogger Directory for making us its Featured Blogger of the Week! We appreciate the honor.
May 30, 2011
A German study has found that fibromites bear substantial economic costs – over 75% of which are due to lost productivity. Moreover, as the severity of one’s fibromyalgia increases, so do one’s costs. Read more!
May 23, 2011
This site is two weeks old now, and we’re continuing to add new material daily. Be a part of what we hope to build into one of the best resources available for fibromites and those who love them. Come back soon!
May 16, 2011
Check out the results of the National Fibromyalgia Association‘s joint survey with the American Pain Foundation and Pfizer, Inc.! The study was conducted in March, 2011.
May 7, 2011
International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is Thursday, May 12! Visit the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association to learn about ways you can participate!
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