Fibromyalgia is a very common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people both physically and mentally. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease.
Unlike diseases, which are medical conditions with specific causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, syndromes are a summary of symptoms, signs, and medical problems that tend to appear together and they are not linked to a specific, recognizable cause.
Fibromyalgia (lat. Fibro – connective tissue, Greek myo – muscle, algos – pain) is characterized by chronic pain, multiple pain points all over the body, disorders of sleep, fatigue, and psychological distress. Since the pain is often very intensive, patients suffering from this syndrome are often looking for different remedies for Fibromyalgia pain.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
As we have mentioned before there is more than one symptom of fibromyalgia and these are some of the most frequent ones:
- Sleep problems, insomnia, and poor quality of sleep.
- Muscle spasms, tightness, tension, and chronic muscle pain.
- Lack of energy and moderate or even severe fatigue.
- Difficulty completing simple mental tasks, focusing, and remembering things.
- Stiffness after staying in one position for a long period or after getting out of bed.
- Nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea alternating with constipation.
- Facial and jaw tenderness.
- Feeling depressed or anxious.
- Tingling or numbness in the feet, legs, arms, hands, or face.
- Difficulties during and after exercise.
All these symptoms may be different in different parts of the day. They are also affected by the weather, fatigue, and stress. If it is left untreated, Fibromyalgia pain may continue for an indefinite period or it may disappear for several months and recur.
Fibromyalgia Pain Natural Treatments
Fibromyalgia pain and Fibromyalgia in general are usually treated with antidepressants, painkillers, and anti-seizure medications. The truth is that they are effective in reducing the symptoms, but for many people, these drugs don’t work and they also produce some side effects. That’s why experts suggest that it is better to practice some natural treatment alone or in combination with these drugs. The following is a list of 10 natural alternative treatments for fibromyalgia pain.
1. Meditation
Meditation is an excellent practice that is recommended not only when you notice the first fibromyalgia symptoms, but also when you feel tensed and stressed. According to Dr. Daniel Lewis, an Australian rheumatologist, meditation can affect the work of our brain and improve the symptoms. Meditation can provide fibromyalgia pain relief, calm the mind, ease the body, and promote relaxation.
2. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient treatment used in China for hundreds of years. It is based on placing needles at certain points on the body. A scientific study conducted in 2006 included two groups of fibromyalgia sufferers. The first one didn’t receive these treatments while the other one received it. The patients who used acupuncture treatment were dealing much better with the anxiety and fatigue caused by fibromyalgia.
3. Tai Chi
This is another natural remedy for fibromyalgia that comes from China. This is a physical practice that is based on slow movements of the body. A study that took place 5 years ago included participants who practiced a one-hour tai chi class and participants who practiced a one-hour wellness class. Those involved in tai chi practicing have shown much better results after 3 months and the effects lasted for more than 6 months.
4. 5-HTP
5-HTP is an amino acid that can be found in nature. This fibromyalgia natural treatment option stimulates the production of serotonin, a mood booster produced in the brain. The University of Maryland Medical Center has performed three studies and each of them has confirmed that 5-HTP helps with fibromyalgia pain, fatigue, anxiety, and stiffness. Many experts and scientists suggest that 5-HTP can be used as a natural anti-depressant too.
5. Yoga
Numerous studies have shown that practicing yoga may help patients suffering from fibromyalgia. A research team from the Oregon Health and Science University has reported that regular yoga exercises can reduce fibromyalgia pain. Only two classes of one hour per week can make a big difference.
6. Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and fiber and most cases, they are low in calories. They are considered to be one of the best foods that fight fibromyalgia because they ease almost all the symptoms related to this syndrome. In addition, things like coloring and preservatives found in processed food should be eliminated from the fibromyalgia diet.
7. Lean protein
By including more protein in your meals and by reducing the intake of carbohydrates you will be able to balance glucose levels in your system and blood glucose irregularities are one of the reasons for fatigue. Many experts recommend the Mediterranean diet for those dealing with fibromyalgia.
8. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is one of the best fibromyalgia natural treatment herbs. This herb is best known as a strong natural antidepressant. However, people use it in cases of fibromyalgia pain because it eases the pain, anxiety, and stress by restraining neurotransmitters.
9. Ginger
Ginger is a natural remedy used since ancient times for various health conditions. What is interesting about ginger is the fact that it can be used in many different ways. For example, people can use ginger as part of their recipes in a grated form, they can eat candied ginger, drink hot water mixed with ginger root and fresh lemon juice, etc.
It doesn’t matter in what form you use ginger because it always helps the body to fight inflammation and pain.
10. SAMe
SAMe or S-adenosyl-L-methionine is a natural amino acid derivative that can increase the production of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Few scientific studies suggest that SAMe can improve the quality of sleep, and mood and ease fibromyalgia pain. Remember that you should use SAMe for a longer period to feel the positive effects.
Via Wikipedia
