Good question. As a first step in answering it, i recommend the following articles: 

• Mind-body therapies for the treatment of fibromyalgia. A systematic review. (J Rheumatol. 2000 Dec;27(12):2911-8) 
• Effects of T'ai Chi Exercise on Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life (Orthopaedic Nursing - September/October 2003 - Volume 22)
• Fibromyalgia: Does CAM Work? Desiree A. Lie, MD, MSEd (Medscape Family Medicine)
• A pilot study of cognitive behavioral therapy in fibromyalgia. Altern Ther Health Med 24(2):67-70 ,1998

In addition to the above approaches, various degrees of success have been reported in regard to gluten avoidance; Vit-D supplementation (contraindicated in kidney issues, hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis); guided detox programs; antibiotics against mycoplasmal infections; and herbs.

The approach that i use in clinic is my own proprietary modality - Kinergetix Movement Therapies (KMT). Kinergetix integrates clinically-validated physical and neuromuscular conditioning strategies with health-awareness educational measures. It conjoins the Western sciences of physiology, physiotherapy, human movement and fitness conditioning with Eastern mind+body therapies and martial arts. However, KMT is not merely a patchwork of discrete routines garnered from these various sources, rather, it is a unique modality based on the consideration and analysis of the associated approaches together with their constituent elements from the perspectives of biomechanics, bioenergetics, ergonomics, and user-friendliness. On the basis of this, routines have been evolved that are pertinent to modern lifestyles and compatible with the individual’s activities of daily living, recreational pursuits, and vocational demands. Programs are augmented by nutritional counselling, ergonomic assessment, and risk-factor identification and reduction. 

A significant differentiating feature of KMT is that it is wholistic - i.e. not just about physical conditioning from the aspects of fitness, flexibility and strength, but also integrating exercises and strategies for breathing, awareness, acuity, cognition, acupressure, stress management, and efficiency. KMT may be described as dynamic meditation because its routines develop, harmonise and unify physical activity and mindfulness. In other words - body, breath, mind and spirit working together in concert. Another central feature of KMT is the utilisation of Qigong as an integral part of therapy. (Isn't it curious that contemporary Western medicine will readily accept acupuncture as valid, but reject the underlying concepts of Qi, prana, life force etc as mystical nonsense that play no part in health or healing.)

But in the end, the theories and hype are irrelevant - only the outcomes are significant. In that respect, KMT has shown itself to be very effective, both in terms of rapid symptom alleviation and enduring resolution of a broad range of refractory health issues (included in such are fibromyalgia and a wide range of neuropathies).

Over the past 8 years our clinic has focused on overcoming in a long term manner complete relief from chronic neuropathic conditions. We have found effective and lasting solutions by thinking outside the box. We like now to compare notes with our colleagues throughout the scientific community and see if we cannot develop a consensus so that this valuable information can become more known both in professional circles and in the public domain. We feel that much good can come from this, although it will be shining a glaring light on the costly and largely ineffective methods of current allopathic medical practice. 

At our clinic, it is routine now to resolve each and every case of fibromyalgia and the common neuropathies (peripheral, idiopathic, etc.) without utilization of potentially harmful drugs and surgery. Spinal decompression through stimulating growth of spinal discs along with gentle manipulation is part of the regimen, along with deep cold laser and essential oils and certain organic supplementation. Fungus from toenails resolves and new, healthy nails return; sensitive areas of muscles return to normal sensitivity, and neuropathies clear up to stage 3 resolve. What are your experiences? How have you achieved it on a permanent, long basis? Drugs are never the answer if we want to bring lasting relief.

Good question. As a first step in answering it, i recommend the following articles: 

• Mind-body therapies for the treatment of fibromyalgia. A systematic review. (J Rheumatol. 2000 Dec;27(12):2911-8) 
• Effects of T'ai Chi Exercise on Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life (Orthopaedic Nursing - September/October 2003 - Volume 22)
• Fibromyalgia: Does CAM Work? Desiree A. Lie, MD, MSEd (Medscape Family Medicine)
• A pilot study of cognitive behavioral therapy in fibromyalgia. Altern Ther Health Med 24(2):67-70 ,1998

In addition to the above approaches, various degrees of success have been reported in regard to gluten avoidance; Vit-D supplementation (contraindicated in kidney issues, hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis); guided detox programs; antibiotics against mycoplasmal infections; and herbs.

The approach that i use in clinic is my own proprietary modality - Kinergetix Movement Therapies (KMT). Kinergetix integrates clinically-validated physical and neuromuscular conditioning strategies with health-awareness educational measures. It conjoins the Western sciences of physiology, physiotherapy, human movement and fitness conditioning with Eastern mind+body therapies and martial arts. However, KMT is not merely a patchwork of discrete routines garnered from these various sources, rather, it is a unique modality based on the consideration and analysis of the associated approaches together with their constituent elements from the perspectives of biomechanics, bioenergetics, ergonomics, and user-friendliness. On the basis of this, routines have been evolved that are pertinent to modern lifestyles and compatible with the individual’s activities of daily living, recreational pursuits, and vocational demands. Programs are augmented by nutritional counselling, ergonomic assessment, and risk-factor identification and reduction. 

A significant differentiating feature of KMT is that it is wholistic - i.e. not just about physical conditioning from the aspects of fitness, flexibility and strength, but also integrating exercises and strategies for breathing, awareness, acuity, cognition, acupressure, stress management, and efficiency. KMT may be described as dynamic meditation because its routines develop, harmonise and unify physical activity and mindfulness. In other words - body, breath, mind and spirit working together in concert. Another central feature of KMT is the utilisation of Qigong as an integral part of therapy. (Isn't it curious that contemporary Western medicine will readily accept acupuncture as valid, but reject the underlying concepts of Qi, prana, life force etc as mystical nonsense that play no part in health or healing.)

But in the end, the theories and hype are irrelevant - only the outcomes are significant. In that respect, KMT has shown itself to be very effective, both in terms of rapid symptom alleviation and enduring resolution of a broad range of refractory health issues (included in such are fibromyalgia and a wide range of neuropathies).

David, this is an excellent review of the wide range of treatments for fibromyalgia. We find that many cases are caused by a wide variety of underlying causes such as, chronic lack of sleep, repetitive strain injury, unhealed spinal injuries, unresolved subclinical infections (such as tooth sepsis, fungus in toenails), or developing metabolic disorders. Every case we he seen comes in with a long list of side effect laden medications that only make matters worse, in fact creating new problems on top of the original complaint. Getting off the medications in an intelligent manner seems one of the biggest hurdles. 

Fibromyalgia, I had my personal experience when I was in H.S.. My doctor pretty much did use massage and I had a series of visits to the dentist to take care a tooth.  No meds, but lots of  local massage .  I have no regrets because of his care. Was very effective and healing for a lifetime.

Thanks for sharing this, Sue. The conventional treatment now in the US are off-label prescribng of anti-depressants, yet we cannot think of a single case where the SSRI/SNRIs were necessary for fibromyalgia. Why burden the system down with a psychotropic when there are gentle natural ways like massage, cold laser, essential oils, etc. to resolve the problem. If indeed lack of sleep is the main cause of fibromyalgia (according to the literature) why not prescibe restful sleep as part of the regimen? 

Indeed, Susan, robust health--not merely the absence of pain--should always be the goal. I teach my doctoral students that when we treat chronic as if it is acute it soon becomes an acute condition. But, when given a choice between a gentle approach and an aggressiveone in dealing with any chronic condition we should always start with the gentle one. Thank you again.

PS- you mentioned the dentist referral earlier, I forgot to mention that we track MOST idiopathic cases of inflammation, neuropathy, and CVD to unresolved dental sepsis. Hence, not a day goes by that we do not refer a new patient to a dentist. Some studies show, for instance, that  more than 80% of all rhuematoid arthritis occurs from dental issues, which we have demonstrated time and time again. Unexplainable elevated blood sugar? Dental problems, usually sepsis hidden beneath a crown or root canal--the kind that take several trips to find it. At least two cases of ALS were traced back to hidden dental/jaw sepsis. The relationship is so strong that we often wonder how this is overlooked in routine medical exams. 

Here are some of the major causes of neuropathy that we feel need to be considered in any discussion on the topics, but which seem to elude most discussions we've seen to-date:

-Diabetes mellitus type 2 tops the list of causal conditions because it is so pervasive. Most sufferers of long-term diabetes type 2 can count on experiencing neuropathy over time, particularly blindness, hearing loss, and (diabetic) peripheral neuropathy if their diabetic condition is not overcome. Amputations due to diabetes are increasing at this time.

-Stenosis or other types of nerve compression, as well as accumulated trauma/degeneration, arise from a lifetime of injuries and illnesses, some going back to before birth. Most are corrected without surgery, but when surgery is necessary, post-surgical complications may include heterotopic ossicification of soft tissues, which can further damage or restrict the flexibility needed for connective tissues of the nervous system to function. This can cause vasculitis, blocking circulatory and immunological processes, and may also contribute to neuropathy .

-Organic nutrition deficiencies cause and contribute to neuropathies, especially deficiencies in the B-complex and essential minerals. A diet of microwaved, synthetically fortified, degerminated, genetically modified, refined food is a sure path to eventual neuropathies.

-Medication & recreational drug induced neuropathies are dramatically on the rise in the US because of over-promotion and a bottomless pit of tax money going to medications. The list of neuropathy-inspiring medications is far too long to cover here. Ironically, acid reflux (GERD) medications are prominent in bringing about neuropathies as a result of blocked B12 and folic acid resulting in loss of myelin and astroglia. Long-term use of SSRI/SNRI anti-depressants, nerve block medications, many cardiovascular meds, and Alzheimer’s and other meds also contribute to neuropathy. As legal and illegal drug aqddictions rise in the population so do neuropathies and neurodegenerative conditions.

-Heavy metal accumulations, food additives, and environmental toxins. Lead stores in the bones and tissues over a lifetime and is a major contributor to neuropathies of all kinds. Even brief exposure to mercury found in commercially grown fish, fish oil supplements, broken fluorescent bulbs and dental amalgams cause varying degrees of neurological damage. Pesticides, herbicides, fluoride, chlorine, and perchlorates are all neurodegenerative, while artificial food coloring, preservatives, hormones, and synthetic sweeteners that dominate the US food supply are neurotoxins especially problematic for children.

-Acidosis is a general condition that is inspired by microwaving food (“DNA effect”), chronic semi-dehydration, high caffeine intake, GMO high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), Stress, inflammatory disease, and unhealed injuries all contribute mightily to the development of acidosis, and in turn, can lead to neuropathy.

-Vaccine adjuvants, regardless of what self-serving research claim, cause significant developmental problems in infants and young children and neurodegenerative challenges for older adults. The rush to have newborns immunized early, particularly for males who suffer much higher rates of developmental disorders, is particularly egregious on the part of public policy makers and agencies who refuse to exercise caution in their administration. Parents, children, and the schools are left grappling with these tragic yet avoidable cases.

-Infectious Disease, including Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Shingles, Poliovirus, Rubella, Lupus, Hepatitis, HIV, Meningitis, etc. all cause or contribute to neuropathy (sensory and autonomic neuropathies).

-Genetic Disorders (Friedrich’s Ataxia, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease), Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies, etc.) also deserve listing, albeit in this researcher’s opinion the vast majority of genetically inspired disease would not even occur without certain stressors, deficiencies, substances, and toxicities driving them.

As one can see from the foregoing, neuropathy appears immensely complex, yet when broken down into its simplest mechanisms, what we find is quite straightforward: Neural Compression (trauma, stenosis, degeneration, inflammation, tumors), Demyelination (nutrient deficiencies, medication side-effects, heavy metals, toxins, viruses), Astroglia Destruction (free radicals, toxins, food additives, drugs, deficiencies), Neuron Degeneration (disease, acidosis, and toxicities), Vascular Disease (vasculitis, Factor V, hyper/hypotension, edema, hypoxia, etc.), and Cellular Acidosis (dehydration, high caffeine, microwaving, over-processed diet). These mechanisms constitute some of the challenges to be overcome if neuropathy is to be resolved.

Dear Max; This subject is very important and intriguing, as it has no real answers and its causes are veiled with much mystery.  I’m part of a team that developing different approach to Fibromyalgia as also to other unexplained phenomena. It involves many different kind of non-surgical and non-medicinal technologies. First results are very exciting.