Back Pain Articles

Fibromyalgia affects a large percentage of the population. Conventional and alternative approaches currently offer very little help. Although the outlook may appear bleak, relief is possible. In fact, using the right approach, complete recovery can be a reality.

Through my work as a therapist, coach and trainer, I have helped many people to a full recovery. Instead of searching for external help from a substance, medicine, or treatment, we have to look to the cause. I have found that there is a direct link between this condition and the stress response.

There are a number of conditions that are maintained by the stress response. These include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, M.E. and post viral syndrome. Some FM sufferers experience fatigue and some chronic fatigue sufferers experience physical pain. Although they can appear to be unrelated conditions, they all respond to the same approach.

A structured approach is necessary in order to reduce the stress response. Anyone suffering is likely to have become almost stuck in the stress response. Most bodily systems are adversely affected, due to the changes in biochemistry. The lymphatic system doesn’t work as it should when the system is under consistent stress. When toxic stress chemistry builds up, it causes pain for sufferers.

In order to reduce overall stress it is necessary to make changes in a number of key areas. Simple acupressure techniques can also be used to reduce stress and encourage the opposite relaxation response. These techniques literally change biochemistry and are extremely effective whilst being easy to learn.

Consistency is really the secret to this approach. Acupressure, together with specific breathing techniques can be used a number of times per day on a regular basis. When used regularly, the effects can be seen as similar to taking a course of medicine. Medicine that only has positive effects. This becomes a safe and natural way to reduce the stress response, which in turn reduces symptoms.

About Author: Russell Stubbs is a therapist, health coach and trainer from the UK. At Russell’s site www.fatigueguide.com you will find information on The Lightning Process together with recovery stories from past participants. He also provides Free Chronic Fatigue Help for sufferers of CFS, ME and Fibromyalgia.

An overview of the Lightning Process training programme by Advanced Practitioner Russell Stubbs.

Which health conditions can the Lightning Process be used for?

In the following article I will refer to the condition of CFS – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The same principals apply equally to M.E. – Myalgic Encephomyalitis, P.V.F.S. – Post Viral fatigue Syndrome and F.M. Fibromyalgia. The training is also applicable to any health condition that would benefit from a positive influence on the immune system.

What triggers the start of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

There are many different ways in which people develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For some sufferers the condition develops after contracting a bacterial infection or virus. For others the trigger can be due to a build up of stress or one specific stressful event. Some other triggers include operations, vaccinations, injuries, toxins, along with many more.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can last for years or decades.

Irrespective of how the condition starts, a common pathway appears to form. The condition then persists, sometimes for years or decades. During this time sufferers typically seek help from conventional and alternative medical practitioners. Many treatment approaches result in limited or short-term success and the search for a cure continues.

What influence does the stress response have?

The current research into fatigue related conditions indicates a sustained stress response in sufferers. Many treatment approaches are aimed at alleviating symptoms. Some others attempt to teach you strategies to best manage your available energy. These types of approaches are missing the key point. Until the stress response can be bought back into balance, full recovery in the long term is unlikely.

The discovery part of the Lightning Process

The Lightning Process is a three day training programme. During the initial part of the training, participants are taken through a discovery process. The purpose of this is to uncover unconscious patterns that are driving the stress response. These include thought processes, behaviors, beliefs and expectations. They did not cause the condition, but play a key role in its maintenance.

Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome the only place where these patterns are found?

These patterns are not unique to this condition, most are common human traits. The problem occurs when they become out of balance, which seems to be the common ground in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Participants are also shown the physiological consequences of a sustained stress response. The very mechanism that has helped our species to survive – Fight or Flight, can adversely affect most bodily systems when activated over the long term.

How can we change these patterns using Lightning Process?

After identifying the powerful link between body and mind, participants are then instructed in how to use this connection to influence health in a positive way. Through the use of specific body movements and certain targeted questions it becomes possible to consistently change these destructive cycles. When used in a consist way the cycle of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be collapsed rapidly.

How does the Lightning Process utilize neural plasticity?

The brain has the ability to adapt and change according to experience, this is called “neural plasticity”. The Lightning Process becomes an effective tool for harnessing this brain function. With the right training and consistent application it is possible to literally re-form pathways in the brain. By uncovering damaging responses and then changing them from moment-to-moment this becomes an effective way of positively influencing health and well-being.

Is the Lightning Process suitable for everyone?

The Lightning Process is unfortunately not for everyone. As it is a training programme and not a treatment or therapy, it is vital that the participant is ready to make considerable changes in a number of areas. It is also necessary to be committed to doing the sometimes challenging work required. For those who are ready and committed, the results can be quite remarkable. Thousands of people use the training every year to resolve health conditions that have blighted their lives and health for many years.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a condition that causes excessive fatigue. The diagnosis is given to patients who have suffered from extreme tiredness for more than six months. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often occurs following an infection or illness or stressful event, due to the stress that is caused on the persons system. However, it is not known to be directly caused by any other illness or infection.

People who suffer from this condition can experience symptoms like muscle pain, tiredness, depression, memory loss and other neurological problems, fever, headaches, enlarged glands, digestive problems along with many others. Recently, CFS has been attributed to a Vitamin B deficiency in many patients. Anyone that suffers from ME/CFS will find their daily lives disrupted to differing degrees by the fatigue that they are experiencing. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can cause it to be extremely difficult to complete normal daily activities. It will generally cause people to tire very easily from simple tasks.

People who suffer from CFS/ME are known to have other physiological and psychological changes in the body. These changes can occur in the central nervous system, the immune system, and the function of muscle. Every patient experiences different symptoms and effects of this condition. Also, many changes that are related to CFS can be found in healthy people. This makes it very difficult to determine the nature of the illness and the best course of treatment.

In South London, researchers at Kings College Hospital have recently completed a study of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and its relationship with B Vitamins in the body. Physical examinations of sufferers appeared normal, but blood analysis provided some insight. When blood samples were tested, Vitamin B6 had significantly lower levels than what is considered normal. In addition, Vitamin B1 and B2 showed small deficiencies.

Since these deficiencies can affect energy levels and other body systems over time, they could provide a contributing factor in the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The first report of this relationship between Vitamin B deficiencies and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was documented in 1939 by a group from the University of Cincinnati. A study was performed on a group of patients who suffered from the symptoms of CFS. At that point, the disease was not well known. However, the patients in the study did show improvement when given Vitamin B6 in synthetic form.

The original study is not well documented, causing a debate as to whether this is a new find or not. For medical purposes, it doesn’t matter when this discovery was made. What matters is that B vitamin supplements could be a helpful consideration to improve and manage the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It would be necessary for anyone considering this approach to consult their doctor before taking a course of dietary supplements.