In this issue:

• What Causes Fibromyalgia?
• What are Fibromyalgia's Symptoms?
• Testimonials

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This Special Package Includes All Eight Items Shown Below.

DR-HO'S Fibromyalgia Double Massage System.

The new DR-HO'S Double Massage System is equipped with dual (2) ports to power four (4) comfort massage pads. Now you can treat four (4) different body areas at the same time. You can also share a soothing massage with a friend. DR-HO'S system is clinically proven to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension and improve blood and nerve circulation. We guarantee that you will feel significantly better after just 20 minutes of use. Repeat massage will give even better results.

2 DR-HO'S™ Flex Tone Pads.

These extra large (5" x 3") massage and muscle toning pads are great for toning those trouble spots like your abs, hips, buttocks and the back of your arms. They also cover a large area and deliver fast, effective pain relief for your large muscle groups, like the shoulders, lower back and legs.

4 Electrodes with Gel Pads and 4 additional Replacement Gel Pads.

These highly advanced self-adhesive gel pads are water activated and does not require any messy gel or belts to attach them to your skin. Because of their high conductivity, they feel very comfortable and you will not have to worry about any burning sensations. The gel pads are re-usable, easy to use and completely allergy free. Depending on the frequency of use, they will last between one (1) to three (3) months. Even with frequent daily use, you only need to replace them once a month. Additional replacements are available anytime from our toll free order line.

Instructional Video by Dr. M. Ho.

Make sure you watch this very detail instructional video by Dr. Michael Ho. He will teach you and your family how to get quick relief for over 20 common painful conditions. Dr. Ho will show you where to place the massage pads, and how to position your body for fast pain relief. In addition, he will demonstrate specific exercises for each body part so that you will regain your functional abilities very quickly.

Owner's Manual.

DR-HO'S™ MUSCLE THERAPY system is very easy to use. The Owner's Manual will show you how to get the best results. There is also a video index guide at the back of the manual with reference to treatments for over 20 different painful conditions. You and your family will learn how to get fast relief from Headaches to Foot Pain.

2 Clip On Carrying Cases.

These two carrying cases allow you to use DR-HO'S™ MASSAGE SYSTEM during work, travel or play.

Personal Travel Bag.

Everything that you need for the most effective soothing massage can be carrying with you inside this handy personal travel case.

DR-HO'S™ Foot Relief Massage Pads.

DR-HO'S™ Foot Relief Massage pads will give you the most incredible foot massage. Just plug in the wire from the Massage device, place both of your bare feet on the pads and enjoy a deep soothing reflexology massage. Within minutes, you will love the instant relief for your tire, sore and aching feet. Fast relief for heel spur, plantarfacialitis related foot pain and fantastic for a general foot massage.

Dear Dr. Ho: I have been suffering from chronic upper shoulder blade and neck pain for about 2 years. I began using Dr. Ho's in January. I use the unit on average of 4 - 5 times per week usually at bedtime. I just put it on the affected area for about 20 minutes and I am able to go to sleep with decreased pain. Previous to using Dr. Ho's I would need painkillers. Now I just use Dr. Ho's and don't need to take any pills. Thank you for a great product.
Marie Tomasko, Wayne, NJ

Dear Dr. Ho: As the result of a car accident, for the past 9 years I have suffered with severe neck and back pain. Doctors have prescribed me strong painkillers and muscle relaxants but they only mask the pain. A month ago my father, who is a doctor, purchased Dr Ho's Muscle Massage System for me. From the first 20-minute session I noticed a bigger difference that years of taking pills. The day after I received Dr Ho's Muscle Massage System I threw away all of my pills. My neck and back are now virtually pain free, and I feel as though I have been given a new lease on life. This product is simple to use and incredibly effective! Thank you!
David Cooper, London, England

Dear Dr. Ho: I used to get bad neck pain for years, but now that I have tried Dr Ho's Muscle Massage System they have totally gone away! I love how the massage makes me feel...it instantly takes away any neck pain I have. I would recommend this system to anybody, whether or not they have problems or injuries, it feels so relaxing! Thanks a lot, Dr. Ho!
Justin Versteeg, Burnaby, BC, Canada

Dear Dr. Ho: II suffered a severe neck injury (torticollis) in 1967. The problem was compounded by a car accident in 1975. In essence, I have had 34 years of chronic neck pain; some days agonizing, other days just sore. Over the last few years because of deterioration in the cervical spine the pain has required ice packs and frequent pain-killers including 222's. Today I tried your machine and after 20 minutes on my trapezius muscles and 10 minutes on the back of my neck (using all three programs) the relief is amazing! I can't believe how relaxed my neck is. I was especially impressed with the ease of use and the power of something small enough to fit into my pocket. Now I'll take my personal masseuse everywhere. Thanks for a pain relief machine that really works!
Mike Mandel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

SPECIAL OFFER DR-HO'S™ Fibromyalgia Therapy System 30-Day Money Back Guarantee $149.97 US

Dr. Ho's Fibromyalgia Therapy System will relieve your pain, guaranteed. It's helped hundreds of thousands of Dr. Ho's patients and subscribers. Dr. Ho suggests that subscribers to his Fibromyalgia newsletter relieve their pain by trying his revolutionary Fibromyalgia Therapy System. It has a 30 day money back guarantee, so you have nothing to loose. It will relieve your pain and allow Dr. Ho to continue offering his Fibromyalgia resources on the net for free!

By Dr. Michael Ho
Submit questions to: drho@whatcausespain.com

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition associated with widespread pain in the body’s soft tissues (muscles, tendons and/or ligaments), fatigue and other symptoms. Its name identifies it directly: "fibro" meaning fibrous tissues, "my" meaning muscles, and "algia" meaning pain. Fibromyalgia is a perplexing and life-altering disorder that can cause pain throughout the body, limbs and head. I have treated many patients with Fibromyalgia and I can tell you that you’re not alone. If you or someone you know suffers from this disease, I hope you’ll take the time to read this section to better your understanding of the syndrome and the suffering it can cause.

Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis that can feel like a prison sentence. No one truly understands the cause of the disorder and the theories that the medical community has offered to explain it don’t have a lot of evidence that can be considered definitive proof, so Fibromyalgia remains a mystery. Some possibilities include the following:

Any (or none) of these theories may pinpoint the cause of Fibromyalgia. Because the syndrome mimics other soft tissue disorders, patients who have symptoms but show no laboratory abnormality are often concluded to have fibromyalgia, since Fibromyalgia causes pain but not swelling, heat or redness. It also produces no traits visible in X-ray or blood tests.

Truthfully, the medical community is utterly confounded by fibromyalgia, and this confusion often leads to an incorrect diagnosis, either missing Fibromyalgia as the reason for pain or concluding that someone with a different illness has Fibromyalgia. It also leads some MDs to suggest that Fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic disorder: that is, one that the patient creates out of mental conflict or stress. It is true that emotional conflicts can and do create very real physical suffering and damage, but in my experience patients with Fibromyalgia are not people whose emotions create their painful condition. Certainly emotions created by having the disease can worsen one’s symptoms and should be addressed, but the cycle of “blaming the patient” for his or her malady is one I find inappropriate in this case, even insulting. If you or someone you know has Fibromyalgia , it’s important to understand that it is a disorder whose origins are physical, but whose symptoms carry over into the emotional realm, as is true of any ongoing physical problem. Who among us is at our most pleasant and productive when we’re in pain? The pain is usually the strongest focus of the brain, and life’s small problems and victories quickly take a quiet back seat.

Regardless of its cause, fibromyalgia perpetuates a vicious cycle of increased sensitivity to pain and decreased physical activity. One symptom worsens the other until both become unbearable, leading to chronic fatigue, poor sleep, sore muscles and a decreased ability to repair muscle damage.

In spite of both the medical community’s and the general public’s lack of knowledge about Fibromyalgia , it is actually fairly common. It is estimated that roughly 10 million Americans and Canadians (about 2-4%) suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome. Most are women between the ages of 29 to 50 years old, but it can happen in either gender and to people of any age and race. It can occur after a serious illness, trauma or injury or begin gradually over time with no known incident. Fibromyalgia often runs in families (similar to chronic fatigue syndrome and migraine headache), suggesting it may be an inherited trait.

Believe it or not, there is some good news about fibromyalgia. In spite of its being a very unpleasant condition that produces painful side effects, it is not a degenerative or deforming disorder and does not interfere with a person’s life span or overall health. In fact, with proper treatment and a dedication to a healthy lifestyle, many of Fibromyalgia s symptoms can be reduced dramatically and allow you to live life to its happiest and fullest.

For more information, visit Fibromyalgia-symptoms.org

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By Dr. Michael Ho
Submit questions to: drho@whatcausespain.com

This list of major symptoms of Fibromyalgia is for your reference—it is not intended to diagnose fibromyalgia, which should be left to a doctor familiar with the disorder. If your regular doctor, or even a specialist you may be have been referred to, seems inadequately versed in diagnosing and treating Fibromyalgia, investigate doctors in your area until you find one who knows the disease backward and forward. If you need help locating one, try contacting a local Fibromyalgia support group and ask for recommendations. You’ll not only get a personal recommendation from someone who has a first-hand understanding of your issues, you’ll also meet others who share your concerns. Support groups can be a great way to help deal with the stress of both Fibromyalgia as well as the mishaps life deals us all, an important component of your treatment.

Testing to determine if you have Fibromyalgia requires a very specific series of steps and will probably take an hour or longer—it’s not a disorder your doctor can identify just by hearing your symptoms. An Fibromyalgia specialist will first ask if your pain has been present for at least three months and if it is widespread across your body (in all four body quadrants: upper and lower, left and right). He or she will then perform an examination called the “Tender Point” test in which approximately four kilograms (about nine pounds) of pressure in applied to specific points within the following areas:

1. Neck area (below the hair line)
2. Sides of neck
3. Upper shoulders
4. Shoulder (rotator cuff)
5. Front of the chest
6. Outer elbow
7. Upper third of the buttock
8. Posterior hip joint
9. Inside of the knee joint

The American College of Rheumatology guidelines suggest that a true case of fibromyalgia will produce at least 11 “tender points” out of a possible 18 on the sites listed above (9 on each side of the body). The reason Fibromyalgia may not be diagnosed with fewer painful sites is that its symptoms so closely mimic other illness or injuries and can occur commonly across the population. For this reason, it is important that you seek an informed professional before jumping to conclusions.

If you suspect you may have Fibromyalgia but haven’t yet been diagnosed (or don’t have faith in a diagnosis you’ve been given), I recommend keeping a health diary and noting any of the following (or other) symptoms you may be experiencing, including their frequency and time(s) of day and night that they occur, so you can aid your healthcare provider in correctly determining your condition and its treatment:

1. Pain: The pain of fibromyalgia can be wide and varying from patient to patient. It is important to note that in order to be considered pain associated with Fibromyalgia, it must occur both above and below the waist, on both sides of the body, cause tenderness in key areas (see the list), and it must be present 3 months or longer.
   
   
2. Fatigue: Again, this symptom varies widely from patient to patient. Some experience mild fatigue (often associated simply with the poor sleep that accompanies Fibromyalgia) and others are so exhausted they have trouble getting through the day.
   
   
3. Sleep Disorders: Research suggests that fibromyalgia sufferers usually have an accompanying sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly (the same anomaly associated with chronic fatigue syndrome). The research found that Fibromyalgia patients typically fell asleep without much trouble, but their deep sleep was regularly interrupted by atypical rapid brain activity. Patients appeared to spend much of the night in “half sleep,” as if they were somehow fully asleep and yet wide-awake at the same time. This causes Fibromyalgia patients to wake up unrefreshed in spite of having slept the whole night through.
   
   
4. Gastrointestinal Problems: Irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea are common complaints associated with Fibromyalgia.
   
   
5. Chronic Headaches: Roughly half of Fibromyalgia patients also report migraine or tension headaches. While the association is not clearly understood, it definitely adds to the suffering of the patient.
   
   
6. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ): TMJ produces mild to severe face and head pain in one quarter of Fibromyalgia patients—in most Fibromyalgia patients, however, the discomfort is thought to be related to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint and not necessarily the joint itself, as with true TMJ.
   
   
7. Increased Headaches, Facial and Shoulder Pain: Roughly half of Fibromyalgia patients also experience head, facial and/or shoulder pain (myofascial pain syndrome or MPS), often as a result of very stiff or sore neck and/or shoulder muscles. MPS produces “trigger points” in the neck, shoulders and jaw that can be very painful and radiate pain to related areas of the body.
   
   
8. Chemical Sensitivity: About half of Fibromyalgia patients report increased sensitivity to chemicals including fragrances and cosmetics as well as household cleaners and products.
   
   
9. Sensory Sensitivity: Some patients report being abnormally sensitive to light, sound, touch, and odors, which some medical professionals attribute to hyperactivity of the nervous system. Some people with Fibromyalgia say they feel chilled or hot when others around them are comfortable.
   
   
10. Dysmenorrhea: Many women suffering from Fibromyalgia complain of painful periods, including menstrual cramps and abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or constipation.
    
    
11. Cognitive Disorders: Fibromyalgia patients may experience feeling “spacey” or as if they are “in a fog.” They often report having problems remembering simple nouns or people’s names and may feel overwhelmed by engaging in more than one task at the same time.
    
    
12. Genito-Urinary Problems: Fibromyalgia patients may experience an increased need to urinate, or a false sense of urgency, a symptom that mimics that of a bladder infection.
    
    
13. Paresthesia: This term refers to the numbness, tingling, prickly feeling or burning that occurs in some Fibromyalgia patients.
    
    
14. Chest Pain: Individuals with Fibromyalgia who engage in certain activities like typing, sitting at a desk or doing anything that requires long stretches of forward body posture, often have complaints about chest and upper body (thoracic) pain, shallow breathing and/or posture problems. They may also develop a condition known as costochondralgia (also known as costochondritis), which is pain where the ribs and the chest bone meet.
    
    
15. Problems with Equilibrium: Because fibromyalgia may affect the tracking muscles of the eyes, you may experience blurred vision, dizziness and nausea whenever you are visually tracking anything, as with driving a car, reading or watching a ballgame, for example. In addition, trigger points in the head or neck may cause dizziness or loss of equilibrium.
    
    
16. Skin Complaints: Some Fibromyalgia patients experience itchy, dry, or blotchy skin. Others may experience the sensation of swollen limbs, fingers or toes, even though swelling itself is not a symptom of Fibromyalgia.
    
    
17. Depression and Anxiety: Because Fibromyalgia can be difficult to recognize and diagnose (it produces no “evidence” that will show up in an X-ray or blood test), many Fibromyalgia patients are told that their symptoms are caused by depression or anxiety disorders or even hypochondria. While it is true that stress can exacerbate symptoms of Fibromyalgia, there is no evidence to suggest that it is its cause. It is important to note that Fibromyalgia’s symptoms may by their nature produce feelings of depression or anxiety (as is true with any health concern), and that it is vitally important for people suffering from Fibromyalgia to monitor and treat these conditions, as they can interfere with successful symptom management.

Fibromyalgia’s symptoms are vast and varying (and many are common symptoms caused by other things). Yours may not have been addressed, so make sure to keep detailed notes of any symptoms that might relate to your condition and provide them to your doctor so that they can be treated appropriately.

And finally, one of the most common symptoms of Fibromyalgia (as with any chronic pain or fatigue condition) is anger. It is probably natural to ask, “Why me?” when you respond to your disorder, and it is a fair question. Our bodies are vulnerable to certain problems, and your vulnerabilities will be different from your parents’, your friends’ and your neighbors’. It is easy to focus on your anger at fate, your body, yourself, or others who may not appear to suffer, but anger is counterproductive to your treatment and your health. Anger creates tension, loathing, insomnia, and a host of other problems, and it ruin relationships and feelings of self-worth.

It is, of course, natural to feel angry, and I would never tell you to ignore your feelings. But it is important to see your anger as yet another symptom that needs to be treated so that it does not become emotional baggage. Think of anger exactly as you would a pain in your neck or your foot: it is a negative event and steps need to be taken to erase it. When we embrace anger as an “entitlement”, we tend to find that we “own” it forever, whether we want it or not. It is indeed healthy to feel anger from time to time, but if your anger is more than a simple, passing event, then do whatever is necessary to eliminate it as a constant or regular symptom of your Fibromyalgia. It is one symptom that you can actually conquer and it will improve every other aspect of your treatment and your life.

For more information, visit Fibromyalgia-symptoms.org

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