1. Integrative Therapies By Tina Yarbrough

2. Means “fibrous tissue, muscle pain.”

5. 18 Pain Points Pain exists in at least 11 of 18 specific points of the body.

6.  5 million Americans age 18 or older.  80 to 90 percent are women.

7.  Painkillers  Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs  Antidepressants  Muscle relaxers

8. Studies show sleep deprivation of healthy people can cause FMS symptoms.

10.  Mindfulness Meditation  Nutrition  Vitamins & Minerals  Massage  Supplements  Exercise

11.  Studies suggest improvements in general aspects of well-being, including quality of life, coping and positive affect, as well as decreased anxiety and depression.

12.  Elimination Diet  Candida Diet  Gluten Free Diet  There is not much reliable medical research to prove the efficacy of dietary changes.  Many with FMS can attest to its benefit.  Food allergies are common amongst those who live with FMS.

13.  Vitamin absorption is a common problem with FMS  Taking more than RDA may alleviate symptoms  Magnesium  B Vitamins  Vitamin C  Vitamin D

14. Massage can be a powerful ally when done properly. Some techniques are:  Myofascial Release  Swedish Massage techniques  Positional release techniques  Reflexology  Cranial-Sacral Therapy

15.  Omega-3 fatty acids as found in fish and flaxseeds  St. John's Wort improves serotonin balance  Melatonin can help improve insomnia  5HTP is a supplement that acts as a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin  Probiotics balance intestinal flora & aids IBS  Malic Acid plays role in energy production, best taken in conjunction with Magnesium.

16.  Exercise may be more painful at first, but gentle, gradual exercise causes endorphins to release, thereby allaying pain.  Studies show improvements in those doing Tai Chi.

17.  Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is Fibromyalgia? What Causes Fibromyalgia?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 22 Apr. 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..  Weil, Dr., M.D. "Health Centers." Fibromyalgia Symptoms, Fibromyalgia Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..  "What Is Fibromyalgia? | Fibrotalk Online Support Community." What Is Fibromyalgia? | Fibrotalk Online Support Community. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..

18.  "Fibromyalgia." Q&A. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012.. "Fibromyalgia... Nine Massage Techniques." Fibromyalgia... Nine Massage Techniques. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2012..  McCain, Glenn A., M.D., F.R.C.P.(C. "Role of Physical Fitness Training in the Fibrositis/fibromyalgia Syndrome." The American Journal of Medicine 81.1 (n.d.): 73-77. Sciencedirect.com. The American Journal of Medicine. Web. 19 Sept. 2012..

19.  "Mindfulness Meditation: A New Treatment For Fibromyalgia?" ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 06 Aug. 2007. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..  University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..  "The Role of Magnesium in Fibromyalgia.". N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..

20.  "Prevalence of Severe Hypovitaminosis D... Persistent Pain." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2012..  National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..  Lautenbacher, Stefan, Bernd Kundermann, and Ju¨rgen-Christian Krieg. "Sleep Deprivation and Pain Perception." Sleep Medicine Reviews 10.5 (2006): 357-69. ScienceDirect.com. Elsevier, Oct. 2006. Web. 18 Sept. 2012..  Wang, Chenchen, M.D., and Christopher H. Schmid, Ph.D. "A Randomized Trial of Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia." The New England Journal of Medicine. © 2010 Massachusetts Medical Society., 19 Aug. 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2012..