Natural Fibromyalgia Alternative Therapies

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic  neurological condition that affects the musculoskeletal tissues of the body. The disorder is responsible for inducing discomfort, pain and fatigue in the muscles, ligaments, tendons and in the areas surrounding the joints. People who suffer from fibromyalgia are constantly confronted with intense pain that tends to recur on a regular basis. The pain caused by the disorder is felt deep inside the muscles and in certain points called trigger points. A common feature to all people with fibromyalgia is the location of the pain; fibromyalgia pain tends to occur in the same trigger points. Although people with fibromyalgia perceive the pain at different intensities, they claim to permanently feel a  level of pain in their soft muscular tissues. 

Fibromyalgia treatments mostly consist of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.  People dealing with this condition often report that they do not respond well to the types of medication that relieve other people’s pain.  In addition many people with fibromyalgia complain of poor sleep, extreme fatigue and depression.  

So what are the alternatives?  

Some fibromyalgia alternative therapies are more popular than others. However, these ancient complementary medicine practices all have beneficial results.

Among these fibromyalgia alternative therapies, the most commonly used are acupuncture, acupressure and Reiki. Acupuncture is an ancient oriental therapy that stimulates and corrects the activity of the entire organism by activating certain points on the body. A very effective fibromyalgia alternative therapy is Reiki. This is a form of massage therapy and it has an important role in reestablishing the balance inside the organism. Also, it is a good way to relax and ease the sensation of fatigue characteristic to all fibromyalgia patients. 

Other interesting fibromyalgia alternative therapies are aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. They are both good ways of refreshing and stimulating the body and they can also help in easing the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  

Echinacea 

This is a very good remedy for neurological disorders such as fibromyalgia. It is produced from the herb Echinacea. This remedy is renowned for its healing effects and its ability to  stimulate regeneration of the nervous system. Other remedies can improve the activity of the musculoskeletal system by supplementing the intake of vitamin D and calcium (remedies produced from coral).  

Infrared Heat Therapy

Infrared heat therapy, such as that in an infrared sauna, can help to relieve the debilitating symptoms of fibromyalgia.  Studies have shown that treating the pain of fibromyalgia with deep heat is more effective than pain medication. Infrared saunas envelop the sauna bather’s body in soothing, deeply penetrating heat which evenly affects the entire body. Also, the detoxification effect of infrared sauna therapy helps to keep the body healthier in general, and can even augment pain management drug treatments. It aids the body in getting rid of lactic acid build-up, which can greatly reduce muscle stiffness and soreness.  Infrared sauna treatments can also help to treat the fatigue and depression symptoms that so often accompany the physical pain of fibromyalgia.

Magnets for Pain Relief

Recently, an interesting new avenue was tested using one of the most powerful natural forces on the planet, magnetism. Yes, people are experimenting with magnetic pain relief.  Magnetism is perhaps the single most prevalent, naturally-occurring force in the known universe,

However, magnetic pain relief is a relatively unusual concept.  A recently concluded study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that magnetism had some effects on pain. Specifically, the study focused on the use of magnetic energy to relieve the pain caused by fibromyalgia. This condition is more common in females than males and manifests in around 1% to 6% of the population. Magnetic pain relief was tested out as a possible alternative to current methods, which include doses of prescription medication designed to dull the nervous system.  

Fibromyalgia Diet

An appropriate diet is vital for maintaining both physical and mental balance and it can strengthen the immune system of the organism. A good fibromyalgia diet can be a very effective way of overcoming the symptoms of the disorder, normalizing and stimulating the activity of the body. Unhealthy lifestyle, stress, lack of sleep, smoking, the abuse of alcoholic beverages are all considered to be factors of risk in the development of fibromyalgia. By improving your lifestyle and by respecting an appropriate fibromyalgia diet, you will quickly feel improvements in your health.

Here are some tips for establishing an effective fibromyalgia diet: 

1. A good fibromyalgia diet should exclude alcoholic beverages and smoking; also, caffeine is known to have undesirable effects on the fragile nervous system of people with fibromyalgia and thus should be avoided
2.  An appropriate fibromyalgia diet should contain less dairy products, especially those that contain high levels of fat; consider using soy replacements instead.
3. Consume less wheat products, as they are not well tolerated by people with fibromyalgia.  

1. Reduce the amount of sugar in your fibromyalgia diet.  – Stay away from food products that contain additives, colorants and preservatives. 
2. Avoid any kind of fried foods; consider eating more boiled and baked foods instead.  
3. Add more home-made meals in your fibromyalgia diet; consume more soups, as they are better tolerated by the stomach.  
4. Reduce the amount of meat in your fibromyalgia diet.  
5. Consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, as they are a vital source of vitamins and minerals.  
6. Consider taking mineral and vitamin supplements.

Get Support

When dealing with something like fibromyalgia it is important to have a support system of some sort in place, but sometimes this is a difficult task.  However, if you know where to look and you know how to research the organizations you will soon discover where to find special fibromyalgia support groups. 

The internet is a wealth of knowledge and a great place to start your search..  Most support groups even have their own websites. So open your browser and search for “fibromyalgia support near me”.  Then check out a few of the links and decide which support group seems to be the best fit for you.. Another fantastic resource for you is the local hospitals. If you call the hospital and ask, most  of them will have support groups for all sorts of conditions and situations. They should be able to give you information on special fibromyalgia support groups that will fit your schedule.