Fibromyalgia syndrome treatment with EMDR therapySummary sheet:  Fibromyalgia syndrome treatment with EMDR therapy (Luber)

Fibromyalgia, or the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a chronic pain disorder (e.g., fatigue, muscle pain, tenderness, and sleep difficulties) that affects 1% to 5% of the general population. This syndrome is also referred to as 'soft-tissue rheumatism.' Fibromyalgia is a disorder that intrudes upon the daily lives of people and is a worldwide phenomenon. Fibromyalgia might also include other symptoms such as concentration and memory problems, labile mood, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, painful menstrual cramps, and numbness. Because FMS has no relevant organic pathology, it is placed in the realm of medically unexplained physical symptoms. Recent studies are providing early evidence for the use of EMDR therapy for chronic pain patients. Also, EMDR therapy is being used for other pain conditions, including fibromyalgia. Therefore, the authors created the EMDR Fibromyalgia Syndrome Protocol that includes the Three-Pronged Protocol and an in-depth history of the client's FMS and trauma. More research is needed to support this new protocol.

Book Section

English

Emre Konuk
Zeynep Zat
Önder Kavakçı

Konuk, E., Zat, Z., & Kavakçı, Ö (2019). Fibromyalgia syndrome treatment with EMDR therapy. In M. Luber (Ed.), Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Scripted Protocols and Summary Sheets: Treating eating Disorders, Chronic Pain, and Maladaptive Self-Care Behaviors (pp. 379-424). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co