How to Use Alternative Medicine to Help Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic condition involving muscle pain that is both widespread throughout the body and concentrated heavily in 18 designated tender or trigger points. Other symptoms vary considerably per person. In general, traditional medicine concentrates on minimizing the discomfort of fibromyalgia symptoms by using medications such as analgesics or muscle relaxants.
However, many fibromyalgia patients have reported great success using alternative medicines as well. This step-by-step will familiarize you with how to begin to intregrate the more commonly used alternative medicines and therapies for the management of fibromyalgia.
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Things You'll Need
- Journal (optional) Health care treatment plan Health insurance paperwork, if applicable
Instructions
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Decide which symptom(s) continues to give you the most trouble. Different alternative therapies focus on different areas of the body. For example, an osteopath manipulates the body in order to address joint pain, while a massage therapist will directly work on muscular issues.
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Determine what level of commitment you are ready to take on. Some alternative therapies are effective on their own, while others are more successful in conjunction with complementary therapies. For example, gentle yoga classes can be taken on their own to help with relaxation and breathing techniques, as well as to stretch and tone the body. Going to see a naturopathic physician, on the other hand, could involve a wider array of techniques, including herbal and vitamin supplements, eliminating potential allergens from your environment, and seeing other specialists for energy and bodywork techniques such as Reiki.
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Research costs and make a care budget. Some insurance companies cover, either partially or in full, different alternative therapies, so be sure and review your insurance plan to determine if you have coverage, for what types of therapy you have coverage for, if you are limited to a number of visits, and if you need to choose a provider preferred by your plan. If your insurance does not cover alternative therapy, or you are uninsured, decide ahead of time how much you can spend. Also, as you talk to different alternative therapy practitioners, ask them about payment plans, sliding scale fees, or other options that can help you fit these kinds of care into your budget.
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Research and interview practitioners. Some have little to no experience working with fibromyalgia patients, and this is something you want to keep in mind---especially when considering those that do direct bodywork such as massage or acupuncture. You can also get in contact with local FMS or chronic fatigue support groups in your area and ask for personal recommendations. Work with someone you feel confident understands your symptoms and concerns.
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Always keep in mind your own treatment plan. While there are numerous herbal and vitamin supplements that have shown success in assisting with FMS symptoms (such as S-adenosylmethionine, or SAMe, for generalized pain and depression, or magnesium helping reduce tenderness), some of these can have interactions with other medications you may be taking.
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Start with small changes. Even changes in what you eat can make a big difference (a nutritionist, for example, will work with you to create an eating plan that increases wellness, reduce digestive symptoms, and increase resistance to disease). But don't try too much too soon---you could strain your body and your wallet.
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Give alternative therapies time before deciding if they work for you. Many forms can take several weeks or sessions to give benefit. It may be useful to keep a journal during this time to help you objectively monitor your success with a particular therapy.
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Tips & Warnings
If one therapy doesn't work for you, don't lose hope! Everyone is different, and the same is true even among folks who have the same chronic condition. What works for one may not work for others. Listen to your body.
Contact your health care provider before starting any new alternative treatment, especially herbal supplements, which can have unexpected interactions with other medications you may be taking. If something doesn't feel comfortable, causes pain, or the like, ask questions! Some treatments, especially ones like yoga that cause you to strech underused muscles may be difficult at first. But adding to your pain level is not the goal. Speak up,
Resources
- Photo Credit mypainclinic.com
