Fibromyalgia Treatment

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 12/29/2006 at 12:20PM

When To See A Doctor

If you are experiencing constant, chronic, and widespread pain throughout the body that is accompanied by fatigue and has persisted for several months, you should seek the advice of your natural health care professional.

Treatment Methods

The most common treatment methods for fibromyalgia include medications and lifestyle changes that can help to alleviate symptoms and improve your overall health.

Medication

The goal of drug use when treating fibromyalgia is to reduce pain and improve sleep. This however only attacks the symptoms instead of the root cause of the disease. These techniques will not eliminate Fibromyalgia, and therefore are not recommended by me. Here are some of the most common medications:

Pain Relievers: Over the counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Alleve,) may help to cover up the pain and stiffness of fibromyalgia. Your doctor may have you take these medications on their own, or in combination with a prescription pain reliever.
Muscle Relaxants: Muscle relaxant medications such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) may be prescribed for use at bedtime to treat muscle pain, leg spasms, and stiffness that often accompany fibromyalgia.
Benzodiazepines: Doctors have not found many long-term benefits in the use of benzodiazepines to treat fibromyalgia. However, when symptoms have not responded to other medications, doctors may prescribe these drugs to help relax muscles and promote sleep.

Therapy

You may find therapy useful, in combination with other types of fibromyalgia treatment, at strengthening your belief in your own abilities to deal with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Therapy with a licensed therapist or counselor can also help you sort through feelings of anxiety, stress and depression related to your condition.

Home Care

Lifestyle changes such as exercise, practicing good posture, stress reduction, dietary changes, and learning relaxation techniques can all help to reduce the fatigue and pain associated with fibromyalgia, as well as improve your overall health.

Stress Reduction: Overexertion and emotional stress tax your system and aggravate the symptoms of your condition. Reduce stress by asking for help when you need it and learning how to say 'no' to activities and events that may be too difficult. Try not to abandon all work or social activities. It is important to stay active and connected to those around you. Deep breathing exercises may also help to keep you calm and relaxed.
Promote Good Sleep: Fatigue and fibromyalgia go hand in hand together. In addition, it may be difficult to control nighttime wakings or muscle spasms. However, you can control other factors that determine how well you sleep. Make sure you go to bed at roughly the same time each evening, allow enough time for sleep, and limit daytime napping. Also, avoid caffeine and other foods that may disrupt your sleep.
Exercise: Exercise can help to bring back strength and ease of movement to the pain ridden muscles associated with fibromyalgia. Aquatic aerobic exercise can also help improve sleep. Avoid strenuous exercise, but rather focus on low-impact muscle-strengthening exercises. Brisk walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics are good choices for exercise that will not put too much stress on painful joints. Your health care provider can offer you some suggestions and guidelines for exercises that will benefit your specific symptoms. Physical therapy with a licensed professional can also help to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This is especially true for people who experience such severe symptoms that home exercise is not an option. It may seem that any type of movement would be too painful to perform, but the lack of motion can impede circulation and deteriorate muscles, further aggravating symptoms. Physical therapists may use a combination of heat, ice, massage, whirlpool, ultrasound, and biofeedback to gain results.
Diet: It is very important that people who suffer from fibromyalgia maintain a healthy diet. This condition affects the body's natural ability to purge itself of toxins and impurities. Therefore, it is critical to be cautious about the substances you put into your body. Avoid processed foods, artificial chemicals, and preservative, as much as possible and eat red meat only in moderation. The pain and exhaustion of fibromyalgia may often make it difficult to prepare a wholesome, delicious meal. Nevertheless, a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein like chicken, fish, and tofu, and a moderate amount of grains can greatly improve the condition of the immune system and help to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Rest: Rest and relaxation give the body a chance to recuperate from activity and to heal itself. This may help to break the cycle of pain, stress, depression, and tension associated with fibromyalgia.

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