Liz Woolford, M.D., Physician Acupuncturist
Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine
People who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia often feel frustrated by the challenge to find viable treatment options. However, at our center, many of our patients with this condition report life-altering results and regain a sense of control over their lives. So there is hope! Our goal is to reduce pain, encourage deep sleep and enhance one’s mood and lifestyle. We find it helpful to use the theories of Chinese medicine to explain to a patient how his/her functional disorder, underlying personality, life stressors, and pain are all interconnected. We try to show people that when they absorb stress, their symptoms may flare. Then, as they learn to rebalance their bodies, their symptoms may diminish. Our physicians recommend a combination of integrative therapies, combined with life-style modification (including yoga, relaxation and stretching techniques). We form a ‘healing partnership’ with each patient, to learn what works on an individual basis. This may include regular acupuncture, minimal medication, massage and/or chiropractic. Although our patients may still have symptoms from time to time, we teach them to bounce back quicker – ultimately becoming more resilient and less affected by this illness.