Valley Therapist’s Dramatic Results

"Fibromyalgia - Valley Therapist’s Dramatic Results"

by staff writer

Viviane Oberhand, a Valley therapist, has developed an approach to helping clients with fibromyalgia pain that has resulted in the elimination of pain and improvement in well-being.

Viviane, a trained Certified Hypnotherapist (C.Ht.), uses related techniques called Time Line Therapy ^TM and Neuro Linguistic Programming to help clients let go of the underlying emotional causes that contribute to their fibromyalgia pain. She works in a complementary way with the clients’ medical care, and only after they have a signed approval from their doctor.

While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, Viviane's rate of success is virtually 100% in helping clients reduce their fibromyalgia pain to the point that it is no longer an issue in their lives. Many feel that they have been "given their lives back." Follow-up with patients indicates that the results are lasting.

Says Shari Thomas, one of Viviane's clients, "My muscle pain is greatly diminished and every day I have more energy and more inclination to live my life as I'd like to since I have been a client of Ms. Oberhand's. I heartily recommend her to anyone needing relief from the many forms of suffering fibromyalgia patients have...Her talents are indispensable to my life and are very sincerely appreciated."

A year later, Thomas reports, "After a few short weeks of Viviane Oberhand's close attention, my years of long symptoms of fibromyalgia decreased and then disappeared altogether. I and my family will be forever grateful to her for putting the quality back in my life.

What is fibromyalgia?

The national Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) reports that fibromyalgia is an increasingly recognized chronic pain illness characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain, and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue and sleep disturbances. The most common site of pain includes the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle and hands, but any body part can be involved. Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that come and go over time.

The NFA states that fibromyalgia is characterized by the presence of multiple tender points and a constellation of symptoms. The pain is profound, widespread, and chronic. It knows no boundaries, migrating to all parts of the body and varying in intensity. The pain has been described as deep muscular aching, throbbing, twitching, stabbing and shooting pain that defines the very existence of the fibromyalgia patient.

Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling, and burning are often present and add to the discomfort of the patient. Aggravating factors which affect pain include cold/humid weather, non-restorative sleep, physical and mental fatigue, excessive physical activity, physician inactivity, anxiety, and stress.

The NFA estimates that 3-6% of the U.S. population has this debilitating condition. Although a higher percentage of women are affected, it does strike men, women, and children of all ages and races. Because many fibromyalgia sufferers experience a downward spiral of depression, insomnia, job loss, and family stress, the illness has a serious impact on patients' family, friends, and employers, as well as society at large.

Medical and complementary treatment

According to the NFA, "the underlying cause of fibromyalgia remains a mystery," and the diagnosis is based on a physician's analysis using a standardized approach. "Conventional medical intervention may be only part of a potential treatment program. Alternative treatments, nutrition, relaxation techniques, and exercise play an important role in fibromyalgia treatment as well. Each patient should, along with the healthcare practitioner, establish a multifaceted and individualized approach that works for them."

The fibromyalgia sufferer can be told by friends, family, and even their doctors that the pain is "in their head." Not so. Fibromyalgia is real and the suffering is real. However, emotions do play a part in pain--even hidden emotions that the fibromyalgia sufferer may not be aware of.

This is the territory Viviane works in. As a certified Time Line Therapy practitioner, she guides her patients on a journey of self-improvement that helps redefine emotional hurt. The process is painless, safe, and has no side effects. It does not involve re-experiencing past trauma, and the client is fully awake, aware, and in control at all times. Tremendous relief can result from a single session, which is typically all that is needed. Viviane also presents the client with a personalized audiotape to help them with sleep issues.

Viviane says, "I combine standard Time Line Therapy practice with a highly personalized approach for each client. I tune in to their needs and guide them on a journey of improvement that is unique to their life. I work with them intensively until the job is done."

Viviane Oberhand, C.Ht., is an honors graduate and staff therapist at Hypnosis Motivation Institute, a nationally accredited college.

- Valley Scene, May 27, 2005