How to Use L-Theanine for Fibromyalgia Pain

Fibromyalgia is characterized by intense pain in various "trigger points" throughout the body. There is no known cause for fibromyalgia, although for some people, the condition is triggered by a car accident, extreme stress or sudden illness. Although there is no specific test to diagnose fibromyalgia, the disorder is very real. Recent research shows that fibromyalgia patients feel pain more acutely; PET scans and MRIs show that people with fibromyalgia have different patterns of blood flow in the brain in response to pain or touch. Treating fibromyalgia can be very difficult, though; for many patients, traditional western medicine offers very little help. Most doctors place fibromyalgia patients on antidepressants to help treat the pain. While this can be helpful for some patients, others experience severe sleep deprivation and require sleep aids to help short-circuit the wakefulness/pain cycle. Some doctors are turning to more natural approaches in treating fibromyalgia, and L-theanine is one of the tools. Read on to Learn how to use L-theanine for fibromyalgia pain.

Things You'll Need

• L-Theanine

Instructions

How to Use L-Theanine for Fibromyalgia Pain

1. Talk to your doctor about taking L-theanine for fibromyalgia pain before you begin. L-theanine may interact with other supplements or prescription drugs you are taking, so a consultation with your doctor is very important.

2. Go to a local health-food store and talk to one of the clerks. Ask about their supply of L-theanine. You want to take pure L-theanine, and not a mixture that contains L-theanine and other substances.

3. Take one capsule of L-theanine before bed, with 8 oz. of water. L-theanine not only has pain-reducing properties, but also helps you to sink into restorative sleep. Better sleep translates into less pain for most people. Increase your dosage as needed.

4. Drink green tea at regular intervals throughout the day. Green tea has a small amount of caffeine in it (about 20g per cup) and also contains L-theanine. In many cultures, drinking 10, 20 or more cups of green tea is common, and green tea is an immune booster.

5. Take extra L-theanine during times of stress or increased pain--or for women, around menstruation. The extra L-theanine will help shore up the body and fight against the pain.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not take more than the recommended dose of L-theanine.