When the pain
Never
Stops...
I KNOW that the pain can be all consuming. I ALSO know that it does not have to be that way.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is chronic widespread pain in the absence of peripheral musculoskeletal inflammation or structural damage. FM may complicate many rheumatic diseases or occur independently. FM is only one of many causes of widespread pain.
Or, much simpler definition: Fibromyalgia is when you hurt all over, sometimes all the time for days on end and it has ruined your life. And as if the pain was not enough, fibromyalgia comes with slew of other symptoms including, but not limited to: brain fog, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headaches, jaw pain, irritable bowel syndrome, burning sensation in arms and legs, vaginal pain etc. The list goes on. You get the picture.
And I am here to tell you that it does not have to be this way.
How Do You Start Enjoying Your Life Again?
I have worked as a rheumatologist since 2007. I have seen literally hundreds of women in pain. Until recently the relief I have been able to provide for these women, despite my best efforts, has been short lasting or fleeting. In the summer of 2021 I experienced my own breakthrough with my fibromyalgia back pain. Soon after I started drafting my own method ("Winning at Fibromyalgia" method) that worked for me and one that combines principles of belief, somatic tracking, relaxation response and healing responses of our own bodies.
And why does it work? We know that pain has three components: bio-, psycho- and social. Biological part is composed of genetic, actual tissue damage, inflammation, diet, sleep etc. Traditional medicine usually addresses these components with medications but they don’t tend to work well for chronic pain of fibromyalgia. Psychological portion includes our thoughts, beliefs, emotions and meaning we assign to pain. Almost 2000 years ago Epictetus (Greek philosopher) wrote: “People are not disturbed by things but by the view they take of them.” Research has shown that negative thoughts and emotions have deleterious effects on healing and recovery! And lastly, social factor of pain deals with everything surrounding human interactions including our childhood experiences, culture/cultural conditioning, relationship. Negative childhood experiences can profoundly affect brain chemistry and hormones in our body. Changes in emotions (like stress and anxiety) also affect brain functioning, and even immune system function. Better sleep improves our social functioning/relationship, Can you see how ALL of these domains are interconnected?
After researching for months and experiencing my own pain breakthroughs I put together a simple 5 step program that allows for radical improvements in chronic pain of fibromyalgia.
What Others Have To Say?
Thank you Dr. Ziegenbein for your thoughtful care. I can’t thank you enough for the relief I felt when I suddenly realized that horrible pain really was gone. Thank you for giving me my life back!
Nancy M. (former patient, WI)
Dear Dr. Z: Just a quick note to tell you how much I appreciate your care and concern for me as your patient. You are very wise, smart, knowledgeable, and thoughtful in providing care to me and dealing with an uncertain diagnosis. To say I will miss you is an understatement, but I wish you great happiness in your personal life too. You have been one of my very special “earth” angels and I am forever grateful!
Judy H (former patient, WI).
Dear Dr. Ziegenbein: you literally gave me my life back when I became your patient in March 2020. Your medical expertise and empathetic nature truly helped me to understand and accept my auto-immune disease. I am sorry to see you leave Wausau, WI but sincerely wish you well on your move to Massachusetts.
Joleen D. (former patient, WI)
My Dr told me that i would feel good the next day, she was right. I am an old dog and have been treated by many doctors but I was extremely impressed. My Dr was exceptionally outstanding in her bedside manor and how my examination was presented, well appreciated doc.