Home

Patients &
non-medically
trained Companions

Medical Professionals



Fibromyalgia (FM) and
Chronic Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction (CMPD)
Information for Patients and Supporters
with Devin Starlanyl

 

Recommended Reading:
     Chronic Pain

Amazon.com sends us a percentage of their profits from our referrals from this website to any Amazon site, and all proceeds are used to provide Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain information and support.  Please bookmark this page and use it to order books and other materials from Amazon.com.

     
  Why You Really Hurt, Dr. Burton S. Schuler
This book tells you all you need to know about Morton's foot and how you can test for and bring under control this common perpetuating factor.
     
  Breaking Thru the Fibro Fog: Scientific Proof Fibromyalgia is Real, by Kevin P. White MD, PhD with foreword by I Jon Russell MD, PhD.
If you need to have proof that FM exists, you will find it here in easy to understand terms.
     
  Living with Chronic Pain (Second Edition), by Jennifer P. Schneider
This book contains unbiased information on pain management options including new therapies and opioids.
     
  Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness and Pain, by Carol Sveilich
Those of us with chronic invisible illness will relate to the stories in this book, and perhaps we can use them to teach others a little bit about our perspective.
     
  The Mindfulness Solution to Pain: Step-by-Step Techniques for Chronic Pain Management, by John Carter-Nix
This book teaches mindfulness techniques as tools for chronic pain control and stress reduction.
     
 


 
Migraine Brains and Bodies: A comprehensive guide to solving the mystery of your migraines, by C. M. Shifflett. This is the best book on migraines. It contains important and understandable ways to help you gain control over your migraines and your life.

 

     
  Figuring out Fibromyalgia: Current Science and the Most Effective Treatments, by Ginevra Liptan
This is an up-to-date look at fibromyalgia from another doctor with fibromyalgia who also used herself as a guinea pig. Learn the latest from another kindred spirit.
     
 


 
Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeffrey Miller, PhD

 

     
  A Headache in the Pelvis: A new understanding and treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndromes, by David Wise PhD and Rodney Anderson MD.  Clear instruction in treatment for pelvic floor pain.
     
  0071546561 Heal Pelvic Pain: The Proven Stretching, Strengthening, and Nutrition Program for Relieving Pain, Incontinence,& I.B.S, and Other Symptoms Without Surgery by Amy Stein MPT. Basic patient-oriented book for chronic pelvic pain.
     
 

 

The Winner’s Guide to Pain Relief, by myofascial pain specialist Hal Blatman, MD, and Brad Ekvall, BFA, is ready to teach you how to improve your quality of life.  Read more about it here.
     
 

 

Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2nd edition, by Mari Skelly and Helen Walker, is a compilation of many alternative treatments that could be of benefit for many patients with chronic pain and fatigue.  Some of these patients also have myofascial pain.  Readers may identify with many patient stories and may find them useful to teach companions about their own struggles to cope with illness. 
     
 
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Irritable Bowel, by Gregory K. Penniston, DC. 

An easy to understand and well written guide to guaifenesin use.

     
  Between Heaven and Earth, by Harriet Beinfiield L.Ac and Efrem Korngold La.Ac, O.M.D.

This is the most complete book on Traditional Chinese Medicine I have read that is relatively easy for the layperson to understand and yet in-depth enough for the beginning health care professional to find valuable as a starting point.  It covers practical basics, such as preparing herbal tea and the properties of food, as well as diagnostic patterns, theory, and suggestions for therapy.
 
  The First Year – Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, by Claudia Craig Marek.  

This book is one of the most valuable tools a newly diagnosed fibromyalgia patient can own.  The author is a care provider who works with a respected doctor specializing in fibromyalgia.  She has fibromyalgia and has raised two fibromyalgic sons.  She has spent a great deal of time listening to and observing patients and doing her best to answer all who come to her with questions.  This book is not just for the newly diagnosed.  I believe that all patients with fibromyalgia, and their supporters, would benefit greatly from reading this book.

 
  PAIN: Clinical Manual, 2nd edition, by Margo McCaffery and Chris Pasero

This is a book that should be thoroughly read (and used) by health-care providers of all types.  Patients should (at the least) ask their libraries to get this book, because everyone will benefit from reading it.  This book addresses many myths and misconceptions surrounding pain and explains the mechanisms of pain.  It supplies pain management techniques, both medicinal and non-medicinal.

  Parting the Fog: The Personal Side of Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, by Sue Jones

This book is a series of essays and poems that will tug at your heart.  As you read, you will see yourself in the pages and may be able to use this book to help explain the depths of your symptoms to those you love.  There are also "personal pages" for you to fill in so that you can record your connection to the story of these connections that unfold in this book.

 
  Fibromyalgia:The New Integrative Approach.  How to Combine the Best of Traditional and Alternative Therapies, by Milton Hammerly

This doctor actually knows that fibromyalgia and myofascial pain are different!  This book is about fibromyalgia, and the author covers it well, including supplements and herbs and a wide variety of complementary medicine.

 
  What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Pediatric Fibromyalgia, by R. Paul St. Amand, MD, and Claudia Marek

If you have a child with fibromyalgia, or one you suspect may have fibromyalgia, you need to read this book.  Guaifenesin therapy may provide a safe way to prevent many of the FMS symptoms from developing in your child.  This book could prevent your child — and you — a lot of pain.

 
  We Are Not Alone: Learning to Live with Chronic Illness, by Sefra Kobrin Pitzele 

This is a book about the changes chronic illness brings into your life, and we accept and adapt. There is an extensive chapter on caregivers, a chapter on sex, and a chapter on adapting your house and environs to your needs.  This book even has cartoons!

 
  Curing Fibromyalgia Naturally with Chinese Medicine, by Bob Flaws, 2000  

Although I am not happy with the use of the word “curing” in this context, this book is very good for those patients with fibromyalgia who are interested in the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach.  It includes the use of herbs. 

 
 
Full details on guaifenesin therapy plus a lot of information on fibromyalgia are found in What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia, by R. Paul St. Amand, MD, and Claudia Craig Marek.

The authors and I agree to disagree about the relationship between fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain.  I don’t understand why guaifenesin works, but I believe that it does.  I have experienced it personally and seen it work in so many others.  I believe that it helps remove substances that impair metabolism and that removal of these substances promotes healthier tissues.  This book handles complex issues in a very clear and enjoyable manner.

 
  cover When Muscle Pain Won't Go Away, by Gayle Backstrom

Gayle was one of the first to write about fibromyalgia.  She's part of the FMily.  Her book contains explanations about FMS, treatment options, coping strategies, and many helpful appendices giving resources.


Back to Top

 



Most books on our site are available from:

In Association with Amazon.com

Why buy at Amazon through links from our website?

 

This site is a


Editor's Choice Site

 

 

Except as noted, all content and copy is copyright 1995-2018
Devin J. Starlanyl


Site Maintained by
EnigamI, Inc.
Most recent revision 12/27/2018

For questions regarding this site contact the Webmaster