Natural Treatment Methods For Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition suffered by millions of Americans. Current standard treatment revolves around pain medication and advice to stay active. For many, standard fibromyalgia treatment doesn’t do enough to relieve pain and improve quality of life. This has led to patients seeking alternative treatment methods.

People with fibromyalgia experience muscular pain, often in the form of a constant or semi-constant ache, both above and below the waist. There are 18 identified points on the body called “tender points” that may hurt when pressure is applied to them if you have fibromyalgia. Some of these tender points are found on the back of the head, the upper chest, the tops and sides of the hips, the inner knee and between the shoulder blades. Current diagnostic criteria requires a patient to feel pain when pressure is applied to 11 of the 18 identified tender points in order to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Other symptoms of the condition include fatigue, digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

As with many chronic conditions, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. This likely accounts for the lack of standard effective treatment methods. One theory proposes that the condition is caused by central sensitization, which means that the brain has learned to sense pain even when no stimulus is present. Another theory suggests that myofascial pain syndrome, caused by knots called trigger points in the connective tissue surrounding muscles, is responsible for creating the initial pain situation that habituates the brain to sensing pain.

Natural Fibromyalgia Treatments

There is not a wealth of research supporting the use of alternative medicine for fibromyalgia, but there is some. For people not finding relief through convention avenues, alternative methods are well worth a try.

L-carnitine is created by amino acids in the body and helps muscles turn fat into energy. It is stored in muscles throughout the body. Some theorize that l-carnitine supplementation may help alleviate the pain and fatigue experienced by fibromyalgia patients. One study of 102 patients assessed the effectiveness of l-carnitine in treating fibromyalgia against placebo over a 10 week period. Whereas the supplementation and placebo had comparable results at week 6, the placebo ceased to increase in effectiveness after this point whereas the l-carnitine group experienced increasing improvements through week 10. This study suggests that l-carnitine may help treat fibromyalgia. See www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov for a summary of the study.

The supplements 5-HTP and SAMe are often discussed as possible treatments for people with fibromyalgia, however the results of research into these is highly mixed.

Activity is an important part of both physical and mental symptom management. Movement helps to keep your body strong and flexible; it also causes the release of endorphins, natural pain-killers and mood-boosters in the body. That said, exercise is more difficult when you’re in pain. Gentle movement therapies are best for people with fibromyalgia. Qi gong and tai chi are two forms of movement therapy that strengthen the body and relax the mind. Tai chi is a form of martial arts; qi gong is essentially yoga in motion. Both of these therapies may help people with fibromyalgia combat physical pain and mental symptoms.

Given the possible link between fibromyolgia and myofascial pain syndrome, it is a good idea to consider myofascial release therapy. The study at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov shows myofascial release to have positive results on pain, sleep disturbance, anxiety and overall quality of life.

Standard chronic pain treatment methods often fall short. Consider supplementing your current treatment plan with complementary and alternative methods like supplements, movement therapy and myofascial massage.