Understanding and Managing Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Robert Ogilvy • November 1, 2024

Understanding and Managing Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia is more than just managing physical symptoms; it’s a profound journey that impacts all areas of life—mental, emotional, and social. The day-to-day reality of these conditions often includes debilitating fatigue, body pain, and cognitive challenges, compounded by the added burdens of anxiety, financial stress, and the sometimes judgmental responses of others. Though blood tests may indicate “normal” health, many with CFS and fibromyalgia know all too well the depth of these invisible struggles.

Thankfully, awareness around these conditions has grown, with more people understanding that CFS and fibromyalgia are very real. Despite this, it’s not uncommon for doctors to suggest managing symptoms without offering hope for true recovery. However, more and more people have found long-lasting relief by addressing the root causes, which involve more than just symptom management.

Breaking Down the Steps to Recovery

Recovery from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia is multi-layered. Think of it like building a piece of furniture. You can research materials, watch videos, and consult guides, but if you don’t actively take each step, the knowledge won’t translate into a usable result. Similarly, managing these conditions requires both understanding and consistent action.

Many factors can contribute to the onset of these illnesses. People with certain personality traits—such as perfectionism, a tendency to prioritize others’ needs, or a high-achieving mindset—may be more susceptible. These traits often mean that stress and unresolved emotions are left unaddressed, quietly accumulating until an external trigger, like a virus, accident, or emotional event, pushes the body’s systems into overdrive. At this point, the limbic brain, specifically the hypothalamus, can start sending chaotic signals to the rest of the body, resulting in a mix of symptoms that vary day to day.

When these symptoms aren’t addressed at their root, they tend to reinforce themselves, creating a loop of anxiety and frustration. Rest may be elusive because the mind is in overdrive, constantly wrestling with fears about health, finances, and the future. This elevated stress response keeps the nervous system locked in a sympathetic state—the “fight or flight” mode that, while useful in real danger, becomes harmful when chronically activated.

Sympathetic Dominance and Neuroplasticity

Our nervous systems function in two modes: sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest). In people with CFS and fibromyalgia, the nervous system often remains stuck in the sympathetic state. This is helpful in a short-term emergency but detrimental when there is no immediate danger and we need rest to heal.

Fortunately, the brain has a remarkable capacity for change, known as neuroplasticity. While we once believed that neural pathways were fixed, we now know that they can be rewired. With the right guidance, it’s possible to retrain the brain, shifting it away from the stress response and back into a balanced state.

However, change can be challenging. While our current situation may not be ideal, our minds often perceive the familiar as safer than the unknown. Each individual has a unique tolerance for change, and while some may embrace it easily, others may experience resistance. Recognizing this resistance, and choosing to move beyond it, is key to healing.

How Kinesiology and Brain Retraining Can Help

Kinesiology is a powerful tool that taps into the subconscious mind to access stored memories and emotions contributing to stress. Often, stressors from the past remain unresolved, especially if they’re tied to traumatic or intense experiences that the body hasn’t fully processed. Through kinesiology, these underlying causes can be addressed, helping to release the energy tied up in past events and freeing up mental and physical resources for healing.

Brain retraining complements kinesiology by directly working on the thought patterns that have become habitual. Over time, chronic worry and negative thoughts can reinforce the sympathetic dominance in the nervous system. Through guided exercises, brain retraining helps break these patterns, allowing the mind to adopt new, more adaptive responses. It takes dedication, and having support along the way can be incredibly helpful, especially when we unconsciously resist the changes we most need.

Supporting Recovery Through Lifestyle Adjustments

While healing techniques like kinesiology and brain retraining are instrumental, lifestyle changes also play a supportive role. A balanced diet, the right supplements, and avoiding foods that may cause allergic reactions are all beneficial. However, nutrition alone typically isn’t enough to fully recover from CFS or fibromyalgia. Addressing the deeper neurological and energetic patterns is essential for meaningful, lasting change.

Finding Hope in the Healing Process

Recovery from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia is possible, though it’s rarely a linear journey. The process may involve facing personal habits, past experiences, and even aspects of identity that need to be reshaped. But with the right tools and a willingness to make incremental changes, it’s entirely possible to find relief and reclaim a sense of well-being.

I am passionate about helping others on this path. If you’re ready to explore how kinesiology, brain retraining, and energy work can support your journey, I’m here to guide you. I work with clients both in person (in Chandler and MacLeay Island in Brisbane) and online through Zoom or Skype, offering flexibility to meet your needs.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

Living with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to understand more about these treatment options, I offer a free 15-20 minute phone consultation. During this call, we can discuss your needs and create a plan tailored to you. Sessions are available at $80 per hour.

Don’t let chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia define your life. Take the first step toward healing, and contact Rob today.

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Discover Alternatives to Reiki for Healing in Brisbane

By Robert Ogilvy • January 8, 2025

Reiki, established by Mikao Usui in Japan during the 1920s, is a widely recognised energy-healing practice. It involves identifying and clearing energy blockages by channelling universal energy, promoting balance and harmony in the body and mind. While not formally acknowledged by Western medicine, many have found Reiki helpful for improving their overall well-being. If you’re searching for alternatives to Reiki in Brisbane, there are several powerful energy-healing modalities to explore. Each offers unique approaches to addressing energy imbalances and supporting emotional and physical health: 1. Havening Techniques Havening is an innovative technique designed to release emotional connections to traumatic memories stored in the brain’s amygdala. Through gentle touch and specific protocols, it helps soothe the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote emotional resilience. Havening is particularly effective for letting go of past experiences that continue to impact your well-being. 2. Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) TRE is a simple yet effective set of exercises that activate the body’s natural tremoring mechanism to release tension, stress, and trauma. This process, used by mammals in nature, is a safe way to downregulate the nervous system and restore a sense of calm. Many people find that TRE helps them move from feeling overwhelmed to experiencing balance and control in their lives. 3. Kinesiology Kinesiology is a holistic modality that uses muscle testing to access the subconscious mind, uncovering hidden causes of emotional, physical, or energetic blockages. By addressing these underlying issues, kinesiology helps to align the conscious and subconscious mind, facilitating deep and lasting healing. 4. Other Energy-Healing Modalities In addition to these techniques, there are other energy-based approaches that focus on releasing stuck energy and enhancing overall well-being. These modalities are tailored to meet individual needs, addressing a range of challenges to help you achieve balance and harmony. If you’re exploring energy-healing options in Brisbane, these modalities provide alternative paths to wellness, each with its own unique benefits. Whether you’re seeking relief from stress, resolving trauma, or simply aiming to feel more balanced, these approaches can support you on your journey. If any of these resonate with you, I’d love to help you work towards a more balanced, calm, and fulfilling life experience. Let’s take the first step together.

What is Havening?

By Robert Ogilvy • November 22, 2024

Havening is a science-backed somatic process that addresses trauma embedded in our nervous system. These deeply ingrained experiences often manifest as stress and difficulties in our daily lives. Havening can help not only to resolve past traumas but also to manage challenging events as they arise in the present. Furthermore, it can positively influence our future by reinforcing affirmations aligned with the life we desire or the person we aspire to be. Developed by Dr Ron Ruden, Havening is the product of years of research into the connection between the brain and body in healing trauma. Dr Ruden was inspired by energy healers who achieved significant results despite lacking scientific explanation. He embarked on neurological research to uncover how somatic techniques—methods involving the body—could facilitate healing from trauma. His findings revealed a process that effectively clears the emotional charge of traumatic memories stored in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing fear, anger, and other emotions. After a Havening session, individuals typically still remember the traumatic event, but the associated emotions—fear, anger, or shame—are neutralised. This allows people to move forward without the weight of these unresolved feelings affecting their current lives. The Science Behind Havening Havening works by leveraging the brain’s neuroplasticity, or its ability to rewire itself based on new experiences and stimuli. When a traumatic event occurs, the amygdala encodes emotional and sensory details, often attaching intense feelings to the memory. These feelings can resurface when triggered, creating stress and impeding daily life. The Havening process uses gentle touch combined with focused attention to signal safety to the brain. This disrupts the link between the traumatic memory and its emotional response, effectively "deactivating" the amygdala's reaction. As a result, individuals experience relief from the emotional pain tied to past events. Havening has been validated through thousands of case studies, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing traumatic memories, reducing anxiety, and fostering emotional resilience. How Havening Can Be Used Havening has diverse applications and can support healing and growth in several ways: Healing Past Traumas Many people carry the emotional scars of past events, whether from childhood, relationships, or major life upheavals. Havening helps process and clear the emotional pain attached to these memories, creating space for greater peace and freedom. Managing Current Challenges Life often throws unexpected challenges our way. Havening provides a way to address these situations as they arise, preventing them from becoming ongoing stressors. Shaping a Positive Future Beyond resolving trauma, Havening can help reinforce positive affirmations and intentions. By aligning your nervous system with your aspirations, you can cultivate resilience and confidence as you work towards your goals. Three Ways to Practise Havening There are three main ways to practise Havening, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for different needs: Practitioner-Led Havening In this method, a certified practitioner performs Havening directly on the client. This allows the client to fully relax while the practitioner guides the process for maximum effectiveness. Guided Self-Havening In this approach, the practitioner teaches the client to perform Havening on themselves during a session. This method empowers clients to take an active role in their healing journey. Self-Havening at Home After learning the technique, clients can practise Havening on their own at home. This makes it a valuable tool for ongoing self-care and stress management. Each method is designed to suit individual preferences and situations, making Havening a versatile and accessible process. Transform Your Life with Havening If you’re feeling stuck, weighed down by past experiences, or struggling to move forward, Havening offers a powerful pathway to healing and transformation. By addressing unresolved emotions that hinder progress, this technique can help you experience life with greater clarity, calm, and purpose. Working with a certified practitioner ensures you receive personalised guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. You’ll also gain the tools to practise Havening yourself, empowering you to continue the work independently and make it part of your daily routine. Ready to Start Your Havening Journey? If you’re ready to let go of past traumas, overcome current challenges, or create a brighter future, I’m here to support you. Together, we’ll work to enhance the quality of your life experience, helping you feel more aligned, confident, and empowered. I can guide you through the Havening process and teach you how to integrate it into your everyday life for long-term benefits. Whether you’re seeking healing, growth, or both, Havening is a science-backed solution to help you thrive. Let’s begin this journey together. Contact me today to explore how Havening can transform your life.

Understanding and Managing Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia