Book Review- The Fibro Fix: Get to the Root of your Fibromyalgia and Start Reversing Your Chronic Pain and Fatigue in 21 Days

Sarah LoBisco, ND

The Fibro Fix: Get to the Root of your Fibromyalgia and Start Reversing Your Chronic Pain and Fatigue in 21 Days

According to Hasmark Publishing’s May 4, 2016, newsletter, “A good book review describes what the book is about and analyzes whether the book achieved its purpose.” Indeed, the The Fibro Fix: Get to the Root of Your Fibromyalgia and Start Reversing Your Chronic Pain and Fatigue in 21 Days by Dr David Brady does deliver the promised “fix” of this often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and mistreated debilitating condition. This book seamlessly and eloquently weaves together the urgently needed insights, clinical protocols, and invaluable resources that clinicians and patients have been seeking in order to address this complex syndrome of “interrelated illnesses.” Importantly, the Fibro Fix answers the mind-bending questions of why fibromyalgia (FM) is so hard to treat and why diagnoses are so often inaccurate.

The Fibro Fix is unique in that it truly unites a physician’s guidebook with a patient empowerment course. A thorough knowledge of the many factors involved in accurate diagnosis and how to differentiate between classic fibromyalgia and other medical problems commonly confused with classic FM are clearly outlined. Written in a compassionate voice for the patient’s suffering, Dr Brady articulately explains what is going on in one’s body with FM’s array of symptoms, as well as provides case reviews that provide both hope for the sufferer and clinical insight for the practitioner.

The book sets the roots for recovery with a strong Fibro-Fix Foundational Plan consisting of an anti-inflammatory and detoxifying eating plan, a low-toxicity lifestyle, and gentle movement and relaxation. By setting a base plan that focuses on lifestyle, Dr Brady unifies some of the basic concepts of naturopathic medicine: remove the obstacles to cure, food as medicine, and the proper and therapeutic use of nutritional support through medical foods and supplements. By including movement and gentle relaxation, the Fibro Fix clarifies how structure alters function – an understanding that is often overshadowed by sexy biochemical pathways and the latest research in genomics, epigenetics, microbiome, and super-supplement press releases. Yet, it is through food, lifestyle, and movement that all of these dominating factors can be modulated.

For doctors who need to brush off their physiology textbooks, Dr Brady’s comprehensive and clinical background and expertise in naturopathic medicine, functional medicine, nutrition, and chiropractic shines through detailed graphics and explanations of the movements required to target pain and restricted range of motion. Appropriately, Dr Brady’s core concept of “food as medicine” is accompanied by an array of patient-friendly “Fibro Fix Recipes,” including options to satisfy all dietary diatribes, including vegans, vegetarians, Paleos, omnivores, and smoothie connoisseurs.

According to a 2012 JAMA review, “Numerous treatments are available for managing fibromyalgia that are supported by high-quality evidence. These include nonpharmacological therapies (education, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy) and pharmacological therapies (tricyclics, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and gabapentinoids).” In his book, Dr Brady addresses all of these aspects of care through explaining therapeutic treatment modes of actions, potential side effects, and providing an updated review on the conventional medications used for fibromyalgia. Finally, the Fibro Fix outlines protocols that properly fit the underlying cause, and weaves in conventional and functional medicine testing to establish the correction for the various medical differentials… Priceless!

Importantly, the Fibro Fix starts out with an introduction to the “new medicine” of naturopathic and functional approaches, and reviews the pitfalls of the current disease-based system that is draining American healthcare dollars and producing pitiful outcomes in chronic disease management. The holistic approach is evident through every chapter. Most impressive was the accomplishment of the author to provide a therapeutic, empathetic voice throughout the whole book. This made the reading and understanding of the impact of trauma, emotions, and relationships accessible to a patient population that may be new to the concept that our mind holds the power to steer us toward healing or disease.

This book is a gem of clinical expertise, with scientifically-sound and solution-based approaches. This single book can completely reestablish the patient-doctor union in an approach that is not theory-based, but patient outcome-based. The Fibro Fix is not one of those typical 21-day diet books that promises fast gains. Instead, it addresses the root causes and starts the patient on a path to wellness with a healthy foundation. It is truly the “game-changer” to fill the gap for a naturopathic and functional approach to fibromyalgia Finally!

• Title: The Fibro Fix: Get to the Root of your Fibromyalgia and Start reversing your Chronic Pain and Fatigue in 21-Days
• Author: David M. Brady, N.D.
• Publisher: Rodale, Inc. (New York, NY)
• Available from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and all book vendors.
• Pages:300
• Style: Trade Paperback
• Copyright:2016 Rodale Wellness
• MSRP: $16.99