Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a medical condition characterized by intense, chronic muscle pain, body aches, headaches and fatigue. While traditional medical science cannot determine the cause of fibromyalgia, alternative health care practitioners suggest that FM can be triggered by food allergies, chemical imbalances in the brain, toxic build-up in muscle tissues and nutritional imbalance. Since traditional medicine has a hard time treating fibromyalgia symptoms, many patients turn to alternative treatments to relieve the pain. Learn about common alternative treatments for fibromyalgia.
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Massage Therapy
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One of the most popular alternative treatments for fibromyalgia is massage therapy. This therapy involves the utilization of various gentle manipulative techniques, such as kneading or stroking, to move the body's soft tissues and muscles. The goal of massage therapy is to improve blood circulation, relax muscles, improve motion range, reduce stress and increase the level of endorphins, which serve as a natural painkiller. Fibromyalgia sufferers have reported that regular sessions of gentle-touch massages offer relief from chronic pain.
Acupuncture
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Many FM sufferers choose to undergo acupuncture treatments for short-term relief of fibromyalgia pain. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that works to restore the body's balance of life and energy forces. This is achieved by inserting extremely fine needles into specific points of the body's meridians. Acupuncture works because the needles change blood flow, release endorphins and alter the levels of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord. All of these factors combine to stop the pain impulses from reaching the brain. FM patients report a significant decrease in pain and point tenderness after regular acupuncture treatments.
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Chiropractic Treatment
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Chiropractic treatment for FM patients is based on the theory that restricted spinal mobility leads to chronic pain. Gentle spinal manipulation is used to restore spinal movement as well as relax and stretch tense, tight muscles in the back and neck. Studies have determined that chiropractic care works for many individuals with fibromyalgia because the spinal manipulations increase blood flow to joints and muscles and might increase the amount of endorphins released from the pituitary glands.
Biofeedback
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Biofeedback sessions are often recommended as an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia. Biofeedback treatment is a mind-body relaxation technique that uses a machine to measure an individual's response to stressful situations. Biofeedback machines have sensors designed to calculate a patient's body temperature, heart rate, muscle tension and sweat production. The goal is to teach FM patients how their bodies react to stress so they can begin to control the physical reactions with their minds.
Diet
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Fibromyalgia sufferers should undergo testing for food allergies and sensitivities that might be causing body aches, headaches and fatigue. Some foods that are common allergens in FM patients include wheat, gluten, sugar, fructose, caffeine, yeast and foods in the nightshade family, such as eggplant, bell peppers and tomatoes. FM patients are advised to avoid artificial sweeteners, additives and preservatives, particularly aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates and nitrites. Fibromyalgia sufferers might find some relief from pain by eating foods rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, flax seed oil, hemp oil, soybeans and walnuts.
Herbs
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Herbal supplements are used by many FM patients to ease pain and fatigue. Chamomile, valerian and kava kava have been determined to help individuals sleep better. Pain symptoms might be alleviated by taking doses of ginger, white willow bark and evening primrose. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), is commonly used to relieve anxiety and depression. Melatonin, white bryony (bryonia alba) and eucalyptus can help relax tired, sore muscles. Lemon balm is another herb that can sometimes relieve the pain-triggering symptoms of stress and chronic fatigue.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Creative Commons photo by Samantha Kira
