We are often asked as Massage Therapists if we know any doctors in the Pittsburgh area who are willing to work holistically and collaborate with their massage or structural integration sessions that we of offer here at the Pittsburgh Center for Complemtentary Health and Healing. So, I would like to introduce you to Justin Berthold, D.O.  who recently opened his own practice in Forest Hills where they focus on function and quality of life.

Treating Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain, Holistically

 At the Rehabilitation Physicians of Pittsburgh, we understand that fibromyalgia and myofascial pain can really limit how your body functions and affect your quality of life.  To borrow a quote from Dr. William Osler, “the good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” This approach holds true when treating fibromyalgia and myofascial pain.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals. Also on this spectrum is Myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain disorder where pressure on sensitive points in your muscles (trigger points) causes pain in seemingly unrelated parts of your body. This is called referred pain. Myofascial pain syndrome typically occurs after a muscle has been contracted repetitively. This can be caused by repetitive motions used in jobs or hobbies or by stress-related muscle tension.

Focusing on the whole patient and not just the disease, we oftentimes identify problems related to poor sleep quality, high levels of stress, postural influences, insufficient exercise, and tobacco use. As a result, the nervous system remains in a state of hyper-excitability and our muscles and their supporting connective tissue (fascia) experience the downstream effects of muscle tension and “knots.”

Many times, patients with Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain are treated very effectively with gentle forms of massage therapy and a specific type of therapy known as structural integration, which uses techniques of Myofascial & Neurofascial Unwinding Alignment Therapy to relax the nervous system allowing access to deeper fascial layers. For more information on this and other manual treatments available, talk with your licensed massage therapist who can help guide you in the right direction.

Additionally, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician can be a helpful resource in managing these disorders holistically. They will work with you and your massage therapist to develop a comprehensive treatment plan which may include specific types of exercise, posture improvement, sleep restoration, smoking cessation, counseling, medications, and sometimes procedures such as trigger point injections or dry needling (which is similar to acupuncture). Trigger point injections are thought to cause relaxation and lengthening of the muscle fiber through the mechanical stimulation of a thin needle and the effect of a locally injected solution, usually an anesthetic medication. When combined with the treatment from your massage therapist, trigger point injections can be a good option particularly for those trigger points that are more complex and difficult to treat.

The most important thing is finding the right treatment for you specifically. At the Rehabilitation Physicians of Pittsburgh, we pride ourselves on a patient-centered approach and taking the time to listen to you. If you would like to schedule a physician appointment, please contact us at (412) 816-1400. To learn more about how we can help you, visit www.rehabpgh.com.

Sincerely,

Justin Berthold, D.O.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician

Rehabilitation Physicians of Pittsburgh - Focusing on Function and Quality of Life

Clinical Faculty, LECOM Seton Hill College of Osteopathic Medicine

Forest Hills Plaza Suite 144

Pittsburgh PA 15221

P: (412) 816-1400

F: (412) 223-4519

Email: rehabpgh1@gmail.com

Website: www.rehabpgh.com