Fibromyalgia Clinic

KEAYS MEDICAL GROUP (formerly Bayview Medical Clinic)

On May 11, 2015 the clinic was purchased from HealthVision by the Keays Medical Group, Dr. Ashley Keays, Medical Director & CEO. Dr. Bakken, founder of the clinic, is now retired since January, 20019 from the practice of medicine.

4961 Main Street, Suite A  (new address)
Tacoma, Washington 98407
Tel: 253.779.5858
Fax: 253.779.5757

Overview
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic neuro-transmitter disorder of the central nervous system. It presents in patients clinically with multiple symptoms, including most commonly widespread chronic pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”), and headaches. Other clinical symptoms may include hormonal disturbance, cold hands and feet, vertigo and dizziness, numbness and tingling, sensitivity to bright lights, loud noises, and chemicals, diminished healing time, to name a few.

Most patients are female; the disorder is probably genetically linked and the signs and symptoms of FMS are recorded as far back as the hieroglyphs of Egypt. The onset of the disorder may be sudden, such as following a serious illness or surgery or automobile accident, or gradual over time with no identifiable precipitating event.

FMS is not a rheumatological or auto-immune disease, although there may be co-morbidities. These may include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, polyarthritis rheumatica, Sjogren’s Syndrome, connective tissue disorders, Lyme’s disease, vitamin D deficiency, hypothyroidism, hyper-mobility, etc.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis is of FMS is made by completing a comprehensive health and medical history and physical examination, including a bio-mechanical and musculo-skeletal examination. The patient usually exhibits a minimum of 11 out of 18 designated tender or trigger points in four quadrants of the body bilaterally, together with the above cascade of clinical symptoms. There have been no specific tests for diagnosing this complex syndrome; however, PET scans of the brain, T & B cell immune system studies, p-substance in the spinal fluid, and serotonin levels might all reveal abnormalities. Recently, a blood test purports to help make the diagnosis of FMS.

Treatment
The most effective treatment of fibromyalgia is an inter-disciplinary rehabilitation program. The holistic approach at the Keays Medical Group (keaysmedicalgroup.com), where Dr. Bakken  retired as a consulting physician, is based on worldwide clinical research and includes first class medical care, standard evaluation and diagnosis, and innovative and effective treatment modalities.

The team focuses on several important areas including:

1. Pain management
2. Sleep hygiene
3. Detoxification
4. Diet and nutrition
5. Physical fitness
6. Recreation
7. Spiritual journey
8. Depression treatment with state-of-the-art TMS (Trans Cranial Magnetic Stimulation) NeuroStar.

Modalities include trigger point injections utilizing 1% lidocaine and vitamin B12 according to the procedures and protocols of Doctors Travell and Simons in their two volume medical textbook, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), prescription medication protocols (especially for pain and fatigue and depression) including the careful monitoring of opioids, physical therapy and fitness training, counseling (cognitive and pastoral), food sensitivity testing, and dietary intervention, as well as habit cessation (smoking, alcohol, drugs) and comprehensive treatment of depression with trans-cranial stimulation.

The primary goal is to return the patient to her normal and customary activities of living, including work, with 50% reduction in pain and suffering within the core program parameters of 12 to 14 weeks.

For more information contact the Keays Medical Group Office Manager,

253-779-5858 or http://www.keaysmedicalgroup.com