While I think this is a wonderful book to keep on hand for TCM students & practitioners, I don't know how useful it would be to someone suffering FM without TCM training. The sections on diet, exercise & teas would probably be useful, but the patent medicines would likely be confusing. Flaws' attempt to summarize chinese medical theory in the first 60 pages of the book would probably be more so. I think this is what the first reviewer unhappily referred to. On the other hand, it does spell out the symptoms fairly clearly, so I think that some people could pick out their own pattern(s) and attempt to self-medicate. I'm just not sure it's a good idea.

The section on self-massage is a great idea -- but the pictures aren't enough for an untrained person to find the acupoints. HOWEVER, they would make a good reference guide for an acupuncturist to photocopy & give to patients to use, AFTER the practitioner has taught the patient how to locate the points & how to do self-massage.

Overall, the book is wonderful for a student, and probably quite useful for someone fully trained. (I've only been in school for a year and a half). But I don't know how much a lay person would get out of it.

Rating:    Date: 2001-05-11  
Summary: Long-Time Fribromyalgic
Though this book offers an array of alternatives to treat fibromyalgia, sufferers must beware. Fibromyalgia is an incurable disorder. First of all, unless you are familiar with Chinese medicine, you may feel like your reading Chinese. The remedies offered by this book are difficult to do alone, you will need the knowledge of someone trained in Chinese medicinal practices. For the sake of toxicity, you will at least need an herbologist of Vita-Nutritionist. The greatest flaw with this book is the writer's presumption that all those who have fibromyalgia have suffer in the same way. He offers therapies for few symptoms, but ignores the vast number of other problems that are associated with fibromyalgia. The author also ignores the group of people who suffer with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, or chronic fatigue syndrome, all at once. I should know, I'm 29 and have suffered with fibromyalgia for 14 years already. I also suffer from the chronic pain of myofascial pain syndrome and chronic fatigue. For example, for someone like me, acupuncture doesn't work, it only amplifies the pain; but acupressure or Shiatsu works wonders. I recommend for those of you out there interested in learning about fibromyalgia, look for the The Fibromyalgia Network online, or books by Devin J. Starlanyl, M.D., she is a doctor with fibromyalgia/myofascial pain complex; she offers wonderful insight into these incurable condition. Another physician to look into is Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and offers more insight into all three disorders and their co-existing symptoms. Knowledge is your greatest ally. You must educate yourself, and sometimes even your doctors.

Rating:    Date: 2000-01-30  
Summary: A very good book, not only for patients.
Bob Flaws focuses the view on fibromyalgia patients. It's very interesting not only for patients, but also for practitioners. He gives detailed information for (self-)curing fibromyalgia, treating with herbs, acupuncture and dietery management. He gives information about the underlying processes in the view of chinese medicine.