Potsdam Fibromyalgia Support group

Fibromyalgia and Breathing

Some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia may be increased by abnormal breathing patterns. Normally a large flat muscle between the chest and abdomen, the diaphragm muscle, pulls down to inflate the lungs. “Paradoxical breathing” is an abnormal breathing pattern in which a person uses chest movement and neck muscles rather than the diaphragm muscle. As a result of this paradoxical breathing pattern and resulting muscle imbalances, people with FMS tend to hyperventilate. Hyperventilation, in turn, can cause or aggravate symptoms such as muscle spasm, irritable bowel, anxiety, difficulty concentrating (‘fibrofog’), fatigue, and hypersensitivity of the nervous system.

Just as abnormal breathing patterns can aggravate both physiological and psychological symptoms of FMS, improved breathing patterns can decrease these symptoms. Consequently, breathing re-education is often a part of a comprehensive treatment program for people with FMS. Breathing re-education typically includes learning how to use the diaphragm muscle (“diaphragmatic breathing”) to avoid paradoxical breathing patterns. Techniques for relaxation and understanding how posture affects breathing are also important. Breathing exercises can be easy to learn and easy to do. If you suffer from some of the problems listed above, you might want to try a breathing program. The Chi Gung presentation in Potsdam is an excellent place to learn more! See the announcement below.

You can learn more about the Mind-Body connection on the National Fibromyalgia Association October newsletter. Go to www.fmaware.org/ and click on Online Newsletter and “read current issue.”

Chi Gung Presentation: Potsdam Support Group, 7 pm, 10/23

The Potsdam Fibromyalgia Support Group will sponsor a special presentation on Chi Gung (or Qi Gong), given by Roberta Paccione. Chi Gung is an ancient Chinese art that focuses on breathing to exercise and energize the body. It may be ideal for fibromyalgia because it teaches deep breathing, which is often a problem in FMS, and it is very gentle and focused. This presentation will be given at 7 pm on Thursday, October 23rd in the downstairs lecture hall in Clarkson Hall at 59 Main St.. There is ample parking in the patient parking areas. Ms. Paccione has trained with the Chinese Chi Gung master Le Jung Feng and has been practicing Chi Gung for over 6 years. For further information, contact Canton-Potsdam Hospital Physical Rehabilitation at 261-5460. Note the 7 pm time for this presentation. Also note that, because of Thanksgiving, we will meet on the 3^rd Thursday in November.

Massena Support Group Meeting

The group meets at 6:30 in the Community Meeting Room. The next meeting will be November 11^th. For more information, contact facilitator Maxine Dodge, at email maxinesbeach@wmconnect.com or 769-5778.

Thanks to those who participated in the Heuvelton Health Fair

The Potsdam and Massena Fibromyalgia Support Groups again sponsored a table at the Heuvelton Health Fair on October 4^th. Thanks to all who contributed!

If you would prefer to receive these newsletters electronically (and save a few trees), please send your email address to gilberta@clarkson.edu.

This newsletter is a joint effort of Clarkson University and Canton-Potsdam Hospital. If you would like to be removed from the FMSG mailing list, please contact us at the above email or by phone at 268-3786.

October, 2003