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10
Northwest Regional Conference of the
Fibromyalgia Association UK
The Fibromyalgia Association UK Northwest Region held its 1st Conference at John Moores
University, Liverpool on 7th September, 2007.
The audience of 120 included researchers, healthcare professionals and delegates from local and
regional support groups. Jayne Murphy of Stranraer, my husband Chris Welton and myself were
the only delegates from Scotland.
The Conference was opened by Sue Strafford-Binks, FMA UK Regional Coordinator Northwest.
The first speaker was Dr. Andrew Wright and in our opinion the most interesting of the
Conference. Dr. Wright has been a Medical Advisor to "Action for ME" for many years. Currently ,
he is the Lead Clinician for CFS/ME services for Bolton and Bury Primary Care Trust where he
heads a multidisciplinary team looking at ME and Fibromyalgia patients. He is primarily an expert
on ME although he maintains that 60-70% of ME patients also have Fibromyalgia. Dr. Wright's
lecture included comparisons between ME and FM, the evidence for an organic basis to fatigue
disorders, whether they are infectious diseases, types of bacteria, which bacteria might be in-
volved, differing suggestions on disordered processes associated with the disease and therapeutic
options. Dr. Wright also discussed the latest research into "Syndrome X", also known as "the
Metabolic Syndrome" and "Insulin Resistance Syndrome". More information about "Syndrome X"
can be found at: http://www.syndromexassoc.org/Home.asp.
Funding research for ME is difficult as ME is not perceived as a "sexy" disease even though ME is
more common than breast cancer and FM is more common than ME. The level of disability
associated with ME and FM is much greater than some other illnesses which have more support and
research. SPECT scans (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) a type of nuclear imaging
test that shows how blood flows to tissues and organs, show that blood flow is not 'normal' in ME
patients although in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) it is.
Therapeutic options - what works best? was an interesting topic. Dr. Wright's patients believe
that the most beneficial strategies for ME/FM are rest, pacing and dietary changes. The worst
are CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) and GET (Graded Exercise Therapy). 50% of patients
stated that a "Practioner" had helped, especially osteopaths and complementary medicine
practitioners.
After a short break, we were introduced to the next speaker - Carol Wilcox, Craniosacral
Therapist and expert in treatment for Fibromyalgia. Craniosacral Therapy uses a subtle movement
of the spinal and cranial bones to bring the central nervous system into harmony. This therapy
involves assessing and addressing the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which can be
restricted by trauma to the body and general nervous tension. By gently working with the spine and
skull the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of CSF through the spinal cord
can be optimized, and misaligned bones can be restored to their proper position. This therapy is
said to be particularly useful for neck and back pain and for chronic pain conditions such as
fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, Miss Wilcox was apt to drop the plastic skull and spinal column that
she was using to demonstrate the procedure. Her antics caused much hilarity in the audience. Not
the best atmosphere in which to be taken seriously!
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