Course Contents

1.FIBROMYALGIA PAIN, CHORNIC FATIGUE IMMUNODYSFUNCTION, AND CHRONIC MYOFASICAL PAIN FROM TRIGGER POINTS
All about Fibromyalgia
Summary Exercise: FM
Chronic Fatigue Immunodysfunction – The Muster to Master
Summary Exercise: CFID
Chronic Myofascial Pain – Nerve to Muscle
Summary Exercise: CMP
Chapter Summary: FM/CMP – FM/CFID – Is it a Double Cross?
Glossary of Terms Introduced in Chapter 1 that Describe Pain
2.COMMUNICATING YOUR HEALTH CARE NEEDS
Relating Your Symptoms and Health History
Identifying Aggravating and Alleviating Factors
Coexisting Conditions
Communicating with Your Physician and Other Health Care Providers
Summary Exercise: Clear Expressions
Useful Tools for Communicating with Health Care Providers
Medication Log
Symptom Inventory Sheet
Anatomical Diagram of Pain
Health History Log
3.DIALOGUES WITHIN AND WITHOUT
Journal Writing: An Internal Dialogue
Soliciting the Support You Need
Sample Letter Soliciting Support
Relationships: Having Them, Keeping Them, and Knowing When to Let Go
Advocacy – A Constructive Way to Vent
Summary Exercise: Reaction to Interaction
Useful Tools for Inner and Outer Self-Expression
A Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Tips for Expressing Your Feelings through Poetry
Interactive Pain/Energy Meter
It Takes Two to Tango: Rules for Possibly the Most Important Date in Your Relationship
Sample Advocacy Letter
4.MY BODY IS MATTER AND IT MATTERS
Understanding and Treating Pain
Managing Your Diet
Exercise – Use It or Lose It
Bodywork – Toiling over the Anatomy
Medical Specialists and Therapists
Health and Functionality Therapists
Chapter Conclusion
Summary Exercise: Exercising Your Options
Useful Tools for a Healthy Lifestyle
Diet Assessment Guide
Stretches for Every Part of Your Body
5.THE POWER OF MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT
Depression – Overcoming the Doldrums
Spirituality
Accepting What Is
Other Paths
Chapter Conclusion
Summary Exercise: Expanding Your Options
Useful Tools for Connecting with Your Spiritual Center
Breathing Meditation for People with FM, CFID, and CMP
Guided Mediation for Healing
New Thoughts on Insomnia
6.DEALING WITH CIRCUIT OVERLOAD
Brain Fog – Symptoms of Blowout before a Power Failure
Time Management – An Exercise in Energy Conservation
Crisis Management – Dealing with Major Life Events
Chapter Conclusion
Summary Exercise: Unloading the Gray Matter
7.APPROACHING THE SYSTEM SYSTEMATICALLY
The ADA and the EEOC
Social Security Disability Determination
Patient Rights
Miscellaneous Programs and Help
Confidentiality and HIPAA
Chapter Conclusion
Useful Tools for Navigating the Health Care System
Interaction Worksheet for Important Calls and Meetings
Treating Health Care Provider Log
Chronological Health Record
Table for Determining Disability Status for Those Limited to Sedentary Work
Table for Determining Disability Status for Those Capable of Light Physical Work
EPILOGUE
RESOURCES FOR MAXIMIZING HEALTH CARE, RELATIONSHIPS, AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS
NOTES