A Fibromyalgia Cure?

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 12/29/2006 at 12:19PM

Search as you might, it is unlikely that you will ever find one cure or "magic pill" for the treatment of fibromyalgia. But that doesn't mean that the disease is untreatable. Lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, and daily habits can make a world of difference in alleviating and eliminating your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Talk to Your Health Care Provider: Before you begin any new diet or exercise program, talk with your health care provider about your condition. Make sure that your doctor knows about all of your symptoms as well as their duration and frequency. Don't just assume that a new symptom is related to your Fibromyalgia. Make sure that your doctor runs the appropriate tests to rule out other related conditions such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and even cancer. Once you are satisfied with your diagnosis, talk with your health care provider about the best dietary changes, exercises, medications, and supplements that can benefit your condition.
Get Educated: Now that you know you have Fibromyalgia, make it your responsibility to learn everything you can about the condition. Seek answers online at reputable web sites such as www.fibrobalance.com or www.fibromyalgia-support.org. Also learn from books and from real people who have also suffered from this condition. You may also find it necessary to educate friends and family members about Fibromyalgia and what changes you will need to make in order to cure your symptoms.
Make Dietary Changes: A healthy diet can give your body the nutritional tools it needs to fend off Fibromyalgia symptoms. Eating well can also help to boost energy levels and strengthen the immune system. Try to make small, simple changes each day to introduce more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, and reduce your intake of fat or sugar based foods. It can be difficult to take the time and energy necessary to prepare fresh, wholesome meals when you are dealing with the pain of Fibromyalgia. But adding frozen veggies to a frozen or boxed casserole is a good alternative to fast food or junk food.
Keep Moving: Many people who suffer from Fibromyalgia reduce their activity level because of the pain and stiffness of their condition. But this is by far one of the worst things you can do. Even fifteen minutes a day of simple stretching exercises can help to reduce the pain and stiffness of Fibromyalgia. Exercise can also help to improve sleep and digestion. Talk with your health care provider about the exercises that best suit your needs and activity level.
Stay Connected: Fibromyalgia can make you feel very alone. Many people have never heard of this condition, and others may not understand your symptoms. It can often be difficult to constantly explain what you're going through. For these reasons, many Fibromyalgia sufferers often tend to withdraw from society, avoiding social events, family occasions, and other situations where they may run into people they know. If you are feeling alone, try to connect with others who know your condition and can empathize with your symptoms. There are many national, local, and online Fibromyalgia support groups that can introduce you to other Fibromyalgia sufferers. And don't underestimate the ability of your loved ones to rally to your side and help care for your physical and emotional needs.
Rest: Rest and relaxation are just as important as any other aspect of Fibromyalgia care. These periods help you relieve muscle tension, repair damage, and calm both your body and your mind. Relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises can help you relax and regroup throughout the day. And just as adequate rest at night is important to your recovery, so to are adequate periods of rest while you are awake. Plan to take more breaks than usual as you are cooking, cleaning, or going about your day. Sit down, put your feet up, and clear your mind. These periods of rest and relaxation will go a long way towards aiding in your recovery.
Reduce Stress: When you are in pain, it can be very difficult to keep up with a demanding daily schedule. You may often feel disorganized, unprepared, and hurried. The symptoms of Fibromyalgia place a tremendous physical burden on your body. It’s very important to reduce any extra stress that can aggravate your condition. Make an effort to recognize how stress affects you and the triggers that can create the most anxiety. You may also learn to diminish your workload so that you can accomplish the things you need to get done without creating an additional burden on your body.
Don't Give Up: It can often be very difficult to maintain a sunny disposition when you are suffering from Fibromyalgia. But don't give up hope. By working with your health care provider, staying connected to friends and family, educating yourself about your condition, reducing stress, exercising, and making a few dietary changes, you can reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and the effect that this condition has on your life.

DISCLAIMER: The statements enclosed herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information mentioned on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information and statements made are for education purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. We design and recommend individual nutritional programs and supplements that allow the body to rebuild and heal itself naturally. The views and nutritional advice expressed by www.fibromyalgia-support.org are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition, see your physician of choice. This web site contains links to web sites operated by other parties. Such links are provided for your convenience and reference only. We are not responsible for the content or products of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site.