Fibromyalgia: Central sensitisation, brain architecture & the pain matrix with Dr Michelle Woolhouse & Dr Lily Tomas
Date
20 Jun 2023
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Table of Contents
Summary
Integrative GP Dr Lily Tomas dives into the many complexities involved in fibromyalgia, a condition underpinned by chronic, systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation.
Our Ambasssor Dr Michelle Woolhouse opens the conversation discussing the many aetiologies of fibromyalgia which include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, mast cell activation, microglia activation, peripheral and central sensitisation. They discuss common risk factors such as Vitamin D deficiency, gut health, and abnormal peripheral and central pain pathways, as well as others that can play a part in the development of fibromyalgia - which mainly impacts women aged 20 to 60 years of age.
The gut is a major first focus for Dr Tomas, who details connections between those with fibromyalgia and IBS, as well as how to investigate and treat through the gut. There’s also a deep discussion surrounding mitochondrial health and the development of fibromyalgia, due to the high concentration of mitochondria in skeletal muscle tissue as well as their impacts on damaging the nervous system and their ability to produce melatonin.
Further to this, there is a fascinating technical discussion around gendered mast cells and microglia, and how they are shown to act differently depending on their sex, exposure to environmental toxins, dietary triggers, and sex hormones, all of which may be impacting patients with fibromyalgia. The brain and nervous system aspect can’t be forgotten as various areas of the brain known as the pain matrix contribute to both peripheral and central sensitisation with the focus on trigger points on reducing peripheral sensitisation having an upstream effect.
This podcast is not to be missed for those who love technical details surrounding fibromyalgia and the multi-faceted aspects to treatment.