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pelvic girdle, and hands, but any part of the body can be involved. Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that wax and wane over time. 1 The sites of pain for fibromyalgia sufferers are typically defined by 18 tender points, with various levels of intensity. However, more in-depth studies have revealed 75 other tender points to qualify the condition, most of which are situated along the spine and the Urinary Bladder (UB) channel, as dictated by TCM theory. 2 Although the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia fluctuate from person to person, there is one common symptom experts all agree on—they ache all over. In addition, there is a cluster of other seemingly unrelated pathologies, signs, and symptoms that point to systemic involvement in the fibromyalgia client. These include adrenal insufficiency, allergies, brain fog, candida, depression, edema of the extremities, endometriosis, fatigue, food sensitivities, hypertension, hypothyroidism, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, obesity, osteoarthritis, painful menstruation, PMS, Raynaud's syndrome, sugar cravings, tension headaches, and vaginal infections. The appearance and severity of these signs and symptoms varies from person to person. When faced with this multitude of pathologies and conditions, the massage therapist might feel overwhelmed with how much a fibromyalgia client presents with, as so much is really outside the scope of practice of massage therapy. The emphasis in Western medical massage tends to be to address the fibromyalgia client with neuromuscular therapies, coupled with various forms of stretches, hydrotherapy, and myofascial release. When combined together, these modalities are very effective in treating the various signs and symptoms of pain, limited range of motion, and ischemic trigger points. They also can enhance circulation and lymphatic drainage, while decreasing scarring and adhesions. Looking beyond the Western paradigm, we ask: can these benefits be accelerated by first addressing the mind and spirit of the client in a more holistic approach, utilizing both essential oils and acupressure? Aromatherapy Let's start by looking at how aromatherapy works. Odor molecules affect our brain chemistry by targeting the limbic system. The limbic system is sometimes called the "leopard" part of the brain because it is mainly associated with the sympathetic nervous system and the fight-or-flight response. The limbic system affects emotions, learning, and memories, as well as appetite and sexuality. Once the odor molecule stimuli affects the limbic system, several neurotransmitters are released: endorphins, which reduce pain; Location of tender points on the Urinary Bladder (UB) channel with acupressure treatment. Note the color coding for the pain intensity. Application of a calming essential oil like ylang ylang on Governor Vessel 20 helps calm the mind. Defining the Problem According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, fibromyalgia is an increasingly recognized chronic pain illness that affects an estimated 10 million Americans. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain, and stiffness; soft tissue tenderness; general fatigue; and sleep disturbances. The most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders,