Fibromyalgia and Natural Therapies: An Interview with Michael Hooker
By Tamara Peters
updated on 06/20/2007 at 11:06AM
Contributor(s): Michael Hooker
Published on: April 3, 2003
article reprinted from Suite101.com
This article will provide a look at alternative therapies, as a means of managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia, as prescribed by Michael Hooker RSSMT.
Michael, What is your official title?
My Official Title is a: Remedial Sports Science Massage Therapist although I am studying for my Doctorate in Massage and Natural Therapies. I currently hold 13 Diplomas in Natural Therapies from Massage, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Trigger Point, Jin Shi Do, Shiatsu, Lymphatic Drainage, Kinesiology, Bindegwebmassage, Naturopathy, Diploma Health Science, Iridology, Aromatherapy, as well as a number of courses that are not diploma studied certificates.
What led you to become an alternative therapist?
Well as I was about to sit my Law Bar Exam a friend of my late fathers who was a massage therapist that I had just met for the first time told me I had the hands of a massage therapist, and should go and see him and be taught all there is to know about it. After I finished laughing at him and told him that I could not see the benefits of massage in law we decided that it was better left alone.. However for many years after that I would contemplate the idea until one day I won a case that I didn’t want to win as I was sure the person was guilty so I resigned from law that day and found classes on massage to see if I did like it and strangely enough I did.
Where did you get your training?
I did some of my Training at the Australian College of Natural Health Science’s in Perth Western Australia under a man that I considered to be one of the best there is in Australia today Mr Chris Bennet. Who was my inspiration to further my studies after completing my Diplomas, I travelled to China to learn Acupuncture, Japan to learn Shiatsu and finally to Germany to learn Bindegwebmassage all from the masters of their respective fields of expertise.
How long have you been practicing alternative medicine?
I started Studying and Practicing in 1993 and to date have not finished studying as I have found that there are so many ways to learn that may help someone that I haven’t learnt that I feel I need to continue my studies in many different modalities to be able to assist more people in more ways.
What sort of therapies do you practice and where do you practice them?
In my practice I use all that I have studied and I now have a home based office clinic in the downstairs of my house in East Devonport, Tasmania, Australia.
Would you please describe the therapies you provide and what they are used for?
All the different modalities that I use are all for the same purpose in the end to assist with pain relief and to improve the general health and well being of my clients to the best of my vast knowledge.
Which therapies do you recommend most often for chronic pain - and why?
Well that will seriously depend on the type of pain and the position of the pain as everyone is different so is there respective pain. I will generally start with one form of treatment and should that not be of any benefit then I will diverse into another form of treatment to see if that is more beneficial to the clients release of pain and discomfort.
Is there any one therapy that is especially helpful for those with fibromyalgia?
I would be more inclined to use Acupuncture as a starting point for Fibromyalgia. Clients as to date this has been the most beneficial to all the clients that I am treating with this horrible complaint.
What sort of success rates have you experienced with treating chronic pain?
My success rate with chronic pain has been in the low 90% rate in the short term and high 90% in the long term with some of my harder to assist clients that are in nursing homes that I don’t have the proper facilities to work with in the homes.
What advice would you give to patients searching for a qualified alternative therapist?
Many questions spring to mind the first is ask to see their qualifications and where they trained, also are they insured. As so many today are not qualified or insured at all or not qualified in the modalities that they are using or insured with enough cover should they do a diagnosis that proves to be wrong and do not have the relevant cover in their insurance to cover any of the costs that may be required to rehabilitate if they have done the wrong thing. For anyone overseas check with the local governing authorities to find a therapist that is nearby and is recognised.
Would you provide a break down of your findings regarding fibromyalgia and treatments?
Traditional treatments are geared toward improving the quality of sleep, as well as reducing pain. Because deep level sleep is so crucial for many body functions, such as tissue repair, antibody production, and perhaps even the regulation of various neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system chemicals, the sleep disorders that frequently occur in Fibromyalgia patients are thought to be a major contributing factor to the symptoms of this condition. Medicines that boost your body's level of serotonin and norepinephrine--neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain and immune system function--are commonly prescribed. Examples of drugs in this category would include Elavil, Flexeril, Sinequan, Paxil, Serzone, Xanax and Klonopin.In addition, nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen may also be beneficial. A low dose of one of these may help but in true natural Therapist terms I would be looking at more Naturaul ways of dealing with the problem. Most of my patients will use other treatment methods,like trigger point, injections with lidocaine, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Relaxation Techniques, Osteopathic Manipulation, Therapeutic Massage,Aromatherapy and even in some cases a gentle exercise program all of which are planned according to the clients ability and needs.
Anything else you would like to add?
I would like to say to any that happens to read this that should they wish any assistance with a possible solution to pain or how to find a local therapist that they contact me as I am more than willing to help and should they ever be in Tasmania to contact me for a consult. I do not guarantee I am able to cure all but I am sure that I can help in some way. I would also like to thank Tamara for taking the time to do this interview with me and I wish you all Good Health.
Michael Hooker
Mike is an old friend of the Fibromyalgia Friends. I'd like to thank him, on behalf of our group, for graciously offering his experise, in the field of Alternative Therapy, and assisting us with our symptom management.
Tamara Peters works with Suite101.com in the following capacities:
Managing Editor: Medicine and Diseases
Contributing Editor: Fibromyalgia Friends
Associate Editor: Coping with Fibromyalgia-I&II CpE
Article originally printed at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/Fibro_Friends/99571
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