Fibromyalgia

A condition involving multiple painful trigger areas in various muscles throughout the body, coupled with chronic, overwhelming fatigue. At this time no definitive treatment exists, other than supportive measures. Obviously, the treatment of such a condition is not within the scope of our practice but, since it has been found that virtually all fibromyalgia patients are deficient in stage-4 sleep (the deepest stage), we are able to test for the presence and extent of possible airway obstruction and therefore inadequate tissue oxygenation, using a Pharyngometer and/or overnight pulse oximetry study, as a possible contributing factor in our fibromyalgia patients. This is NOT a treatment - and certainly not a cure - for fibromyalgia. It is a modality for decreasing some of the muscular pain by increasing oxygenation of the soft tissues.

Some interesting research has been taking place in Tacoma, Washington, regarding the use of an intraoral appliance to advance the tongue and therefore open the airway during the day, as well as at night, providing fibromyalgia patients with increased Oxygen intake full-time. This appliance is used in conjunction with a specific physical therapy regimen, aimed at improving posture and therefore airway patency, and initial results are encouraging. For more information, contact:

Farrand C. Robson, D.D.S.
TMJ Diagnostics
1901 South Union, B 5010
Tacoma, Washington 98405
253-272-8651