Thoughts on the book/theory: ''Unlearn Your Pain'' by Howard Schubiner

johnsalmon said:
However this does not fit the fibromyalgia as there is no actual damage to the point that you feel pain so fibro pain is more like the missing leg situation
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I had a very interesting - to me, anyway - experience recently that reminded me of the "phantom limb" syndrome as it is called sometimes when a person feels pain in a body part that has been amputated.
I had a very minor little surgical procedure done to remove a growth on my gums. Afterwards, the site where the surgery was done felt fine...no pain at all. But I actually felt pain in one of my front teeth. Which is impossible, because that tooth has been root canaled, and therefore has no nerve, and cannot have any pain. I found it very amusing because I could feel pain in that tooth, even though I know full well that there was no pain in that tooth. It only lasted a few hours.

I think probably what has been said about people with fibromyalgia having a brain condition in which the brain processes pain differently might be the most accurate thing. Now, if they could determine exactly why and how those brains of ours process pain differently, they might be able to come up with medication that would change it!

And about the mental health/mental illness thing.....it is so true that we need to talk about it, if and when we are able to do so and it is comfortable for us to do so. Each person who openly admits to the problems they have makes it possibly easier for others to talk about theirs. And if we talk about it, it reduces our isolation.
If the truth were known, I'd be willing to bet that at least half of any given population of people has some kind of mental illness issue, whether it is chronic or only occasional, and it is no more shameful than having allergies. I applaud anyone who is open about this.
 
Sorry late reply. I found what you wrote v interesting. X
 
Hi everyone, I wish you all well, I have read all the content on this subject, and yes it is very complex when I first came on this site it was so helpful to know and understand that others are going through the same as yourself and some more than others.
I literarily trawl for information on this subject, reading, and looking for scientific studies, and I found them.
We're people are gettting confused with (it's all in the brain) it makes them think that it's all in our head, however it's not and it's all real, all studies have come to light that every fibro sufferer has had a traumatic incident or incidents in there life or grief or many loss of family or friends, or a bad accident or a surgery.
This in general causes the wiring in the brain to be messed up and is sending messages of safety to your body which is pain and sensations, and the more we fear that pain the more we receive more pain.
I know it's very hard to get your head around but once I started my journey to reduce the sensations with all the info I have read, I have now reduced my pain and sensations to a point were it's more bearable.
This is not an over night fix and I still have a long way to go. But I have accepted that the wiring in my brain is messed up and needs new pathways for me to get releif or cure it, and thousands of people have a achieved it too.
I have been to hell and back with fibromyalgia and at an all time low were I didn't want to be here anymore, cying,sobbing, and so depressed.
I feel I have hope now and do not want to take this condition to the grave with me as I'm 68 soon and i have always loved life and all of a sudden everything was different, because i was different and my body, but we all know there is nothing wrong with our bodies structuraly so that is when it clicked for me that its all about rewiring the brain and it works, its a hard graft and difficult at times, however its got to be worth a go to change our lives and I know these techniques are working for me like many others.
If you are interested look up neuroplacticity somatic tracking, and meditation, and to read Alan Gordon's book the way out who also had chronic pain for years and now is cured and he is helping many others on there journey.
I will keep you posted on how I am doing and i hope this Information helps many many more
Kind regards take care
 
@Kitkat57
Is Alan Gordon the author of Unlearn Your Pain, or are you referring to another book?

Thanks for the info on neuroplasticity somatic tracking. Never heard of it but I will be researching it. I feel the same about trauma playing a major role in FM. I just wonder why I didn't have pain until age 50 when my major trauma(s) occurred during my childhood, teen and young adult years. Perhaps because I was working (a distraction and sense of reward)? Maybe because I self-medicated with alcohol every weekend? Or maybe because I only dealt with half of the problem/abuse while suppressing the other half (other parent) to keep the peace?

It's all very interesting, and I'm looking forward to reading more about this. SO many books on my list related to FM to read. I'm just starting The Body Keeps the Score and also slowly working my way through Dr Liptan's The Fibro Manual...one step at a time.

Many of us, including me, have pain caused by other issues in addition to FM, but if I can reduce some of my pain through somatic tracking (I already partially do, but it was self-taught) I'm all for it.

Thanks for sharing! Hugs!
 
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Kitkat57 said:
every fibro sufferer has had a traumatic incident or incidents in there life or grief or many loss of family or friends, or a bad accident or a surgery.
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While it seems to be true that many people with fibromyalgia report such things, I don't think that everyone with fibro has a history such as that. We have had people come here to the forum who were still teenagers or in their early 20s, who report that they had a lovely life with a good family and home, were active or often athletic, and then suddenly they were struck down by chronic pain.

(Now, of course, we don't have proof that those young people have fibromyalgia.....but they have received that diagnosis.)

Trauma definitely affects the body and this is entirely proven, and it's also proven that the earlier in life the trauma occurs the greater and longer lasting effect it will have, whether that effect is primarily mental or physical.

I suspect that trauma of one kind or another is a trigger in the development of fibromyalgia in most people. But there is more to it than that, and therein lies the mystery. And, of course, there are also many people who suffer from various traumas and do not develop chronic pain conditions. There's no adult in the world who has not experienced something bad, and over a certain age every one of us will have had illness, pain, loss, grief, etc. Yet not everyone develops fibro. If only there were a way to study this in an effective manner, perhaps the actual cause of fibro could be seen.

It seems to me pretty easy to accept that fibromyalgia originates in the brain. But why in one person who has experienced trauma and not in another? My suspicion is that this may go back to genetic inclination....basically how our brains are "wired" from birth. And so, techniques that are presented in writings such as the one being discussed here will, unfortunately, work for some people, but .....as with everything else.....not for everyone.

ETA: I have Alan Gordon's book on reserve at my local library, although it will take several weeks for it to get to me. I'll be very interested to read it and try the techniques that he writes about. I see that the reviews of the book are pretty varied; many people feel he spends too much time writing gloating "success stories" about people he has helped, rather than explaining the techniques, but it seems worth a read.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention, kitkat!
 
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I agree with you 100% and I wish I knew the answer to why one person develops it and another doesn't, they do say that people who develop FM are perfectionists, worriers, yes people, caring about others before themselves.
If this is true I don't know but studies say it's proven, it certainly relates to me and a 2 other people I know who have it.
I would say to anyone who is sceptical about this theory is very entitled to there beliefs but try to be open minded and never give up hope, I can't see in the future a magic pill that will rewire our brains, and certainly worth giving it a go even if it takes a year.
I really don't want to take this to the grave with me, it's such a miserable, painful depressing condition.
Thank you for reply
 
The book is called the way out by the author Alan Gordon.
If you are already following techniques for somatic tracking then you know it helps as you said.
if you use tik tok or you tube there is a guy called healing wolf, he has given me some great tips for Reducing sensations and recovery, there all free, and he does work shops that are free on zoom, however if you want a one to one with him he does charge, so i will have to just take all his tips and use them by myself.

This guy was also bedridden for a whole year and is now cured of neuroplacticity pain which is what we have, he had panic attacks anxiety and a doctor also paralysed his leg by giving him an injection that he just didn't need.
Good luck let me know what you think of healing wolf and take care
 
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