You CAN free yourself from the crippling effects of Fibromyalgia...
Whilst there is no immediate quick fix, there are a number of approaches which can lessen or improve the condition so that it is less debilitating and more liveable.
It can be difficult to judge whether a particular treatment is working because symptoms can ebb and flow and it may take some time for results to become apparent. Some treatments can help for a short time but soon become ineffective and require a different approach (this is particularly so with medications). An approach that works for one person with the condition may not necessarily work with another person, so it may be necessary to try a number of different approaches before finding one that works best for you. It is a difficult and insidious condition. "Conventional" medicine can do little for it. Fortunately, the condition is not in itself degenerative or fatal. It may however be a whole of life condition if untreated.
The first step in "beating" Fibromyalgia is to be aware of it and to understand it (diagnosis is often a huge relief for the sufferer who began to think maybe they were going crazy). The condition is most often triggered by stress (and the condition then adds to the worry and stress, creating an increasingly-worsening spiral) but with this understanding, a treatment regimen can be developed. Those medicos who tell Fibromyalgia sufferers that "it is all in your mind" are perhaps partly correct. A key point in beginning to free yourself from Fibromyalgia is to develop the right mental attitude - positive and optimistic replacing negative and defeatist. It is not necessarily always that simple however and a combined approach to treatment is often found to be most effective. To beat Fibromyalgia you first have to learn to manage your mind, your thoughts and your emotions. Learning how to live with the condition is the first step in dealing with it. Consider the suggestions outlined below and find what works best for you. There is no "quick fix" but there are solutions at hand.
People with Fibromyalgia should avoid stress at all costs because stress tends to create or exacerbate the symptoms - it is therefore very important that family in particular should remain constantly aware of this fact and avoid creating unnecessary stress for the Fibromyalgia sufferer. A stressed home (or work) environment will inevitably lead to severe increases in Fibromyalgia symptoms. FMS sufferers appear to be particularly sensitive to stressors and need to ensure their friends and family understand the condition and this important factor.
There are many different types of treatments available for Fibromyalgia and one might not immediately think of hypnosis as a preferred treatment option, but studies show hypnosis can bring about states of great relaxation and turn off pain receptors in the brain. That’s something fibro sufferers could really benefit from. Indeed, according to a recent study in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, where scientists compared the brain imaging scans of 20 women diagnosed with Fibro with the scans of 10 healthy women, the Fibro sufferers had pain receptors that were much more active. If we could only shut those pain receptors off! Well, now we know we can...with hypnosis.
In most Fibromyalgia sufferers, the stress response is constantly being triggered and the body has simply forgotten how to produce the relaxation response. Hypnosis can help re-program your mind so that you’re producing the relaxation response much more readily and easily. Click the Link above to find out more about how Hypnotherapy can help.
Stress reduction / relief and creating time to rest and relax are therefore critical. You have the power to choose how and when you achieve this.
Some ideas, in addition to Clinical Hypnotherapy, include:
- taking a regular walk in a park, by a lake or stream or other relaxing place
- regular gentle exercise (stretching, hydrotherapy, cycling - start with gentle exercises you can handle and dont add extra physical, mental or emotional stress)
- listening to quiet, relaxing music
- reading
- meditation (alone or in a class)
- high doses of antioxidants
- aromatherapy
- massage
- yoga
- qui gong
- tai chi
- spending time with your pets
- getting restful sleep (comfortable bed, hot bath before bed, lavender on the pillow, quiet room - avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed, reduce sugar intake)
- going for a peaceful drive in the country
- understanding and supportive spouse, family, friends and work colleagues
Change or break your regular routine if it is stressful - learn to pace yourself and only do what you can handle: do not push or over-exert yourself (this will only worsen the condition). If it can wait until tomorrow - leave it! If you are in a stressful situation that you cannot control - remove yourself from it!
You must break the Fibromyalgia cycle. Intervention at the stress point (a key driver of the condition) is the best and often simplest place to start.
It can be difficult to judge whether a particular treatment is working because symptoms can ebb and flow and it may take some time for results to become apparent. Some treatments can help for a short time but soon become ineffective and require a different approach (this is particularly so with medications). An approach that works for one person with the condition may not necessarily work with another person, so it may be necessary to try a number of different approaches before finding one that works best for you. It is a difficult and insidious condition. "Conventional" medicine can do little for it. Fortunately, the condition is not in itself degenerative or fatal. It may however be a whole of life condition if untreated.
The first step in "beating" Fibromyalgia is to be aware of it and to understand it (diagnosis is often a huge relief for the sufferer who began to think maybe they were going crazy). The condition is most often triggered by stress (and the condition then adds to the worry and stress, creating an increasingly-worsening spiral) but with this understanding, a treatment regimen can be developed. Those medicos who tell Fibromyalgia sufferers that "it is all in your mind" are perhaps partly correct. A key point in beginning to free yourself from Fibromyalgia is to develop the right mental attitude - positive and optimistic replacing negative and defeatist. It is not necessarily always that simple however and a combined approach to treatment is often found to be most effective. To beat Fibromyalgia you first have to learn to manage your mind, your thoughts and your emotions. Learning how to live with the condition is the first step in dealing with it. Consider the suggestions outlined below and find what works best for you. There is no "quick fix" but there are solutions at hand.
People with Fibromyalgia should avoid stress at all costs because stress tends to create or exacerbate the symptoms - it is therefore very important that family in particular should remain constantly aware of this fact and avoid creating unnecessary stress for the Fibromyalgia sufferer. A stressed home (or work) environment will inevitably lead to severe increases in Fibromyalgia symptoms. FMS sufferers appear to be particularly sensitive to stressors and need to ensure their friends and family understand the condition and this important factor.
There are many different types of treatments available for Fibromyalgia and one might not immediately think of hypnosis as a preferred treatment option, but studies show hypnosis can bring about states of great relaxation and turn off pain receptors in the brain. That’s something fibro sufferers could really benefit from. Indeed, according to a recent study in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine, where scientists compared the brain imaging scans of 20 women diagnosed with Fibro with the scans of 10 healthy women, the Fibro sufferers had pain receptors that were much more active. If we could only shut those pain receptors off! Well, now we know we can...with hypnosis.
In most Fibromyalgia sufferers, the stress response is constantly being triggered and the body has simply forgotten how to produce the relaxation response. Hypnosis can help re-program your mind so that you’re producing the relaxation response much more readily and easily. Click the Link above to find out more about how Hypnotherapy can help.
Stress reduction / relief and creating time to rest and relax are therefore critical. You have the power to choose how and when you achieve this.
Some ideas, in addition to Clinical Hypnotherapy, include:
- taking a regular walk in a park, by a lake or stream or other relaxing place
- regular gentle exercise (stretching, hydrotherapy, cycling - start with gentle exercises you can handle and dont add extra physical, mental or emotional stress)
- listening to quiet, relaxing music
- reading
- meditation (alone or in a class)
- high doses of antioxidants
- aromatherapy
- massage
- yoga
- qui gong
- tai chi
- spending time with your pets
- getting restful sleep (comfortable bed, hot bath before bed, lavender on the pillow, quiet room - avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed, reduce sugar intake)
- going for a peaceful drive in the country
- understanding and supportive spouse, family, friends and work colleagues
Change or break your regular routine if it is stressful - learn to pace yourself and only do what you can handle: do not push or over-exert yourself (this will only worsen the condition). If it can wait until tomorrow - leave it! If you are in a stressful situation that you cannot control - remove yourself from it!
You must break the Fibromyalgia cycle. Intervention at the stress point (a key driver of the condition) is the best and often simplest place to start.
Various other "alternative" treatments have been tried with success. These include (all of these should be available from any good health food store -
always get professional advice before taking supplements):
- Chlorella (available in tablet form, Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a single celled fresh water micro algae. It is the richest source of chlorophyll. This green
super food is believed to be one of the earliest forms of life on earth, approximately 2 billion years old.)
- SAMe (The brain of a healthy person manufactures all the S-Adenosylmethionine it needs from methionine, but S-Adenosylmethionine production may be impaired in some people. Supplementation with SAM-e tablets increases levels of serotonin, dopamine and phosphatides, and improves serotonin and dopamine receptor site binding).
- CoQ10 (CoEnzyme Q10, also known as Ubiquinone or Ubidecarenone, or more simply "CoQ10", is a powerful vitamin-like antioxidant with significant
benefits).
- Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo Biloba Extract is used for several purported benefits include supporting mental acuity, circulation and eye health, and for help in addressing age-related memory decline, ringing in the ear and low mood).
- Glucosamine (Glucosamine supplements are widely used for osteoarthritis, particularly knee osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, cartilage -- the rubbery material that cushions joints -- becomes stiff and loses its elasticity. This makes the joint prone to damage and may lead to pain, swelling, loss of movement, and further deterioration).
- Chondroitin (Chondroitin is a major component of cartilage -- the tough, connective tissue that cushions the joints. Commercial chondroitin is derived from natural sources, such as shark and bovine cartilage, or synthetic production. Chondroitin helps keep cartilage healthy by absorbing fluid (particularly water) into the connective tissue. It may also block enzymes that break down cartilage, and it provides the building blocks for the body to produce new cartilage).
- Magnesium (Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis).
- Herbs (Valerian, Ashwaganda, St Johns Wort, Hops, Passionflower, Zizyphus and Lavender have been used with varying success - particularly to reduce stress and promote restful sleep).
- Essential Oils (Lavender on the soles of the feet or on the pillow at night is calming and relaxing).
- Distilled water (drink 4 litres of distilled water per day - replacing tap water, bottled water, spring water or rain water).
- Melatonin (calming, relaxing and promotes restful sleep).
Dietary changes can also make a significant difference. If your regular diet includes things such as alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, takeaways/fast food, cakes/sweets and high sugar foods and highly processed foods, you need to stop and take stock of your diet. A good diet should be rich in fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals and adequate protein such as eggs, chicken, fish and raw unprocessed foods low in saturated fats. Sugar should be avoided as much as possible. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers are also gluten, wheat and dairy intolerant.
Other treatments to consider include:
- Magnetic therapy (eg magnetised mattresses)
- Chiropractic (spinal adjustments and alignment)
- Osteopathy
- Balneotherapy (hot bathing / mineral springs)
- Massage (must be gentle for relaxation)
- Acupuncture (helps in some cases but not all)
- Lymphatic drainage
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (treatment focussing on relaxation in particular)
- Medication (check with your doctor or rheumatologist)
Those patients with a positive and informed approach to treatment that involves optimal understanding of the condition - as well as sleep improvement, stress reduction, diet and exercise - tend to do best. Sufferers who learn to listen to their body, control their stress, manage their pain and mitigate their symptoms (using drugs only when absolutely necessary) can minimise the ongoing impacts and effects of this condition. Focusing on the problem only makes it worse, it is importantt to focus on solutions!
always get professional advice before taking supplements):
- Chlorella (available in tablet form, Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a single celled fresh water micro algae. It is the richest source of chlorophyll. This green
super food is believed to be one of the earliest forms of life on earth, approximately 2 billion years old.)
- SAMe (The brain of a healthy person manufactures all the S-Adenosylmethionine it needs from methionine, but S-Adenosylmethionine production may be impaired in some people. Supplementation with SAM-e tablets increases levels of serotonin, dopamine and phosphatides, and improves serotonin and dopamine receptor site binding).
- CoQ10 (CoEnzyme Q10, also known as Ubiquinone or Ubidecarenone, or more simply "CoQ10", is a powerful vitamin-like antioxidant with significant
benefits).
- Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo Biloba Extract is used for several purported benefits include supporting mental acuity, circulation and eye health, and for help in addressing age-related memory decline, ringing in the ear and low mood).
- Glucosamine (Glucosamine supplements are widely used for osteoarthritis, particularly knee osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, cartilage -- the rubbery material that cushions joints -- becomes stiff and loses its elasticity. This makes the joint prone to damage and may lead to pain, swelling, loss of movement, and further deterioration).
- Chondroitin (Chondroitin is a major component of cartilage -- the tough, connective tissue that cushions the joints. Commercial chondroitin is derived from natural sources, such as shark and bovine cartilage, or synthetic production. Chondroitin helps keep cartilage healthy by absorbing fluid (particularly water) into the connective tissue. It may also block enzymes that break down cartilage, and it provides the building blocks for the body to produce new cartilage).
- Magnesium (Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis).
- Herbs (Valerian, Ashwaganda, St Johns Wort, Hops, Passionflower, Zizyphus and Lavender have been used with varying success - particularly to reduce stress and promote restful sleep).
- Essential Oils (Lavender on the soles of the feet or on the pillow at night is calming and relaxing).
- Distilled water (drink 4 litres of distilled water per day - replacing tap water, bottled water, spring water or rain water).
- Melatonin (calming, relaxing and promotes restful sleep).
Dietary changes can also make a significant difference. If your regular diet includes things such as alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, takeaways/fast food, cakes/sweets and high sugar foods and highly processed foods, you need to stop and take stock of your diet. A good diet should be rich in fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals and adequate protein such as eggs, chicken, fish and raw unprocessed foods low in saturated fats. Sugar should be avoided as much as possible. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers are also gluten, wheat and dairy intolerant.
Other treatments to consider include:
- Magnetic therapy (eg magnetised mattresses)
- Chiropractic (spinal adjustments and alignment)
- Osteopathy
- Balneotherapy (hot bathing / mineral springs)
- Massage (must be gentle for relaxation)
- Acupuncture (helps in some cases but not all)
- Lymphatic drainage
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (treatment focussing on relaxation in particular)
- Medication (check with your doctor or rheumatologist)
Those patients with a positive and informed approach to treatment that involves optimal understanding of the condition - as well as sleep improvement, stress reduction, diet and exercise - tend to do best. Sufferers who learn to listen to their body, control their stress, manage their pain and mitigate their symptoms (using drugs only when absolutely necessary) can minimise the ongoing impacts and effects of this condition. Focusing on the problem only makes it worse, it is importantt to focus on solutions!
Important Disclaimer. The authors of this website are not doctors or medical specialists. The information provided in this website has been compiled from numerous journals, research papers, studies, from personal experience and from direct contact with fibromyalgia patients for the sole purpose of offering consumers, professionals, patients and interested parties, information about Fibromyalgia, natural treatment and natural products for Fibromyalgia. This site is provided for the purpose of assisting people in understanding the condition of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. None of the information herein should be construed as a claim for diagnosis, cure, prevention or treatment of any condition. No-one online can diagnose individuals and all concerns, treatments and therapies should be discussed with your own physician. Always consult your doctor or qualified medical specialist regarding any form of medication or medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.