Fibromyalgia: Future Research and Treatment - Dr. Jarred Younger

Recorded May 4, 2014, as part of the Calgary International Awareness Day Educational Event for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, & Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

In this presentation Dr. Younger discusses advances in our understanding of Fibromyalgia, and treatments for the disorder that may become available in the next few years. He spoke to us by web connection from his office at Stanford University.

Jarred Younger, PhD, is a researcher and an Assistant Professor of Pain Management at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Younger directs the Adult and Pediatric Pain Lab at Stanford, and is an expert on Fibromyalgia. Dr. Younger's main interest is in understanding and treating adult and pediatric chronic pain, using novel neuroimaging and pharmaceutical techniques.

Note: For this presentation, there are downloadable files. One is a PDF document of Dr. Younger's presentation slides so that you can look at them on your computer in full-screen mode, a question/answer PDF which covers the questions asked during the live presentation but not addressed at that time due to time restrictions, and an audio-only version of Dr. Younger's presentation in MP3 format for anyone wishing to listen to it on a mobile device or car, etc…

Included in This Recording.

1. Prognosis for FM: Over an 11-year period, 25% of people with fibromyalgia improve but 39% worsen. 
2. Neuroinflammation: Microglia (cells in our brain that are responsible for our immune defense) cause the sickness response in the body (body aches and pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbances, depressed mood, anhedonia, psychomotor slowing, social isolation, and headache) by releasing pro-inflammatory chemicals when triggered.
3. Central Sensitization: Similarities between the symptoms of fibromyalgia and the sickness response suggest a central sensitivity syndrome.
4. FM Triggers: Microglia may be primed or sensitized (possibly by infection, stress, chemical sensitivities, or drugs) and become hyper-excitable in fibromyalgia.
5. Clinical Trials: Microglia modulators/suppressors are currently being investigated as potential treatments for fibromyalgia including pharmaceuticals, botanicals, and mind-body techniques.

If you are seeking help in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, check out my latest books or online sessions linked here.

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Dr. Eleanor Stein is a physician and psychiatrist who now dedicates her career to empowering people with complex chronic conditions—such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, environmental sensitivities, long COVID and chronic pain—to reclaim their lives through accessible science-based self-management strategies.

She draws ideas from cutting edge research in circadian biology, neuroplasticity, hormesis and quantum biology among other.

With over 35 years of clinical practice in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, along with research and decades of lived experience navigating ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), Dr. Stein uniquely blends rigorous medical insight with personal resilience. 

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Her online resource platform offers, self-study programs, webinars, blogs and a podcast to support patients and health care professionals worldwide. If you are exhausted from trying to figure out which strategies to try next, join me live via zoom every two weeks. Live! with Dr. Stein takes the guess work out of healing, saves you time and provides the ongoing support and motivation you need to move ahead.