Santa Barbara Therapist and Author
Dr. Rachel B. Aarons LCSW
Dr. Rachel B. Aarons LCSW
Are you suffering with fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a complex disease that affects a large number of women and a smaller number of men on a daily basis. It depletes your energy, robs you of deep restorative sleep, and subjects you to pain in many regions of your body. It is often accompanied by digestive problems, headaches, memory loss, cognitive problems, depression and anxiety.
How would you know if you have fibromyalgia?
The best way to determine if you have fibromyalgia is to have your doctor test the eighteen trigger points which have been identified as diagnostic for this illness. You may also want to do additional testing to rule out related illnesses such as Lupus and M.S.
What can you do if you have fibromyalgia?
Many people who suffer with fibromyalgia are frustrated with the services they have received. There is a lack of agreement in the medical field about the nature, etiology and treatment of fibromyalgia. For example, proposed causes vary from car accidents to infections to childhood trauma to perfectionism to over-exertion. At this point in time, there is simply no agreed upon cause and no agreed upon cure. But research continues. In the meantime, we don't have to give up hope. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that have been proving helpful to sufferers of fibromyalgia.
Multi-dimensional treatment approach:
Since fibromyalgia is a multi-dimensional disease, I think it makes sense to use a multi-dimensional approach to treatment.
I focus on a variety of different factors that can bring relief to those of us suffering with fibromyalgia including:
- relaxation and stress management
- managing pain
- improving sleep
- diet and nutrition
- medication and supplements
- exercise and physical enjoyment
- working with trauma and psychological issues
- journalling and processing
- overcoming depression
- developing a support network
- communicating better with loved ones
- setting boundaries
- learning to pace oneself
- changing unproductive attitudes
- reestablishing life goals
Why I can be of help:
I have been a therapist for 40 years and have had fibromyalgia for over twenty years.
I am in a unique position to understand this condition from both the inside and the outside, using both my personal and clinical experience. I can provide state of the art information about fibromyalgia and guidance about concrete steps you can take to regain the quality of your life.
Take Back Your Life
Get Help with Fibromyalgia
Contact me today
Dr. Rachel B. Aarons LCSW
1018 Garden Street, Suite 106,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
tel. (805) 450-6365
rbaarons@yahoo.com