Holistic Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Holistic Treatment of Fibromyalgia
By Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psy.D., LCPC
It is estimated that 1 of every 50 Americans struggles with Fibromyalgia. This number could be higher as tests and diagnosis improves. There is no known cure for it, and the cause is not understood, which can be very frustrating to those who suffer with it. Since there is no cure, many people who suffer turn to natural and holistic treatments as a means of controlling their suffering and symptoms. Fibromyalgia causes an individual musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep, and concentration, memory, and mood issues, to name a few. Some believe that fibromyalgia increases the sense of pain felt by the individual, and the way that the brain processes this perceived pain.
Symptoms:
Fibromyalgia can sometimes start after the individual suffers physical trauma, has had a major surgery, a significant infection or suffers from psychological stress. There are other cases when the symptoms amass over time with no clear trigger. Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men, although the reason is unknown. Symptoms of Fibromyalgia include: tension headaches, cognitive issues, depression, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression, widespread pain, trigger point pain, abdominal cramping, fatigue, daytime drowsiness, and sleep issues such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea. The individual often struggles with focus, their ability to pay attention, and their ability to carry out mental tasks.
Causes:
It is unknown what causes Fibromyalgia, but there are a few theories. One is genetics, as they are finding that it often runs in families. Certain genetic mutations seem to make people more likely to acquire the disorder. Certain infections seem to trigger Fibromyalgia. Significant emotional trauma seems to be linked to triggering Fibromyalgia. This seems to be especially present with individual who suffer with PTSD. There is also a theory that a chemical called "substance P" is up to 4 times more prevalent in spinal fluid of individual with Fibromyalgia. It is also thought that increases in neurotransmitters in the brain causes individuals to overreact to pain signals.
Supplements Showing Promise:
Vitamin D: Individuals with Fibromyalgia have shown to have low Vitamin D and magnesium levels. However, taking these supplements has not been proven to improve symptoms. Vitamin D has been shown to have some effects on nerve and muscle function. There are ongoing studies exploring the links between low Vitamin D levels and the chronic pain of Fibromyalgia.
Magnesium: Low levels of magnesium have been found in individuals with Fibromyalgia, although it has not been proven that taking the supplement improves symptoms.
Melatonin: this hormone helps with sleep, and it is also believed to help ease the pain of Fibromyalgia.
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan): This is believed to help increase an individual serotonin levels, which can help increase the individual's mood. There is also a study found that suggests that 5-HTP supplements help with anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia pain, and morning stiffness.
SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine): This is another supplement that is thought to boost serotonin as well as dopamine, a chemical also thought to help with mood and sleep.
St. John's wort: This is thought to ease some fibromyalgia symptoms. It is also the most studied supplement for treating depression. It has been shown in numerous studies to help with mood, but it can limit the effectiveness of some medications. It is important to speak with your doctor about whether it you are on one of those medications.
Alternative Treatments to Consider:
Acupuncture: is one of the oldest forms of treatment for chronic pain. Several studies have showed promise in it decreasing the pain of fibromyalgia. There are three studies which showed increased effectiveness with a pulsed electric current called electro acupuncture. While the treatment seems to relieve pain, the results are not long-lasting, so many people go weekly to bi-weekly for treatments.
Massage therapy: is one of the most common treatments for fibromyalgia. There is a certain type of massage called Trigger Point Massage, which can be very therapeutic and pain releasing. Like acupuncture, the results are not long lasting, so you will need to go back bi-weekly to monthly.
Biofeedback: uses the mind-body connection to help you learn to control your chronic pain with your mind. The feedback comes from muscle tension, skin temperature, or brain wave measurements. Biofeedback is now available through apps and programs you can buy for your PC or laptop.
Chiropractic medicine: consists of realignment of the spine and bones to relieve pain and to improve overall function. Studies show it can be effective for relief of back, neck, or headache pain. It is shown to be particularly effective for migraines and spinal pain.
What you can do for yourself and with a therapist:
There are a number of things that you can do for yourself through lifestyle changes, and the help of an individual therapist to ease your pain and suffering. Heat can reduce stiffness and deep down pain. Invest in a heating pad, take a shower or bath, or take a steam bath at your local health club. Cold can be helpful, but is generally thought to not be as effective as heat. Do light exercise such as stretching or yoga to help stretch muscles. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night, and eat a healthy diet. If you are eating a diet high in carbs and sugar, you are not going to feel and function as well as a diet of clean and healthy food.
Fibromyalgia symptoms impact on your work, relationships, and ability to manage your daily activities. Therapy can help you realize what you do and do not have control over, and can help you focus on the things you can control. To do this, put in place a combination of treatments, including exercise, healthy eating, supplements, alternative treatments, and individual therapy. This is the best option for a holistic approach that shows the greatest overall benefit. It is difficult to accept and adjust to living with a chronic condition. Therapists do know there is a connection between pain, depression, and anxiety. Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health. Be sure to keep that in mind when you are trying to holistically treat your Fibromyalgia.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia-pictures/8-natural-fibromyalgia-treatments.aspx#02
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/basics/definition/con-20019243
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-pain-10/alternative-treatments-for-fibromyalgia
By Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psy.D., LCPC
It is estimated that 1 of every 50 Americans struggles with Fibromyalgia. This number could be higher as tests and diagnosis improves. There is no known cure for it, and the cause is not understood, which can be very frustrating to those who suffer with it. Since there is no cure, many people who suffer turn to natural and holistic treatments as a means of controlling their suffering and symptoms. Fibromyalgia causes an individual musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep, and concentration, memory, and mood issues, to name a few. Some believe that fibromyalgia increases the sense of pain felt by the individual, and the way that the brain processes this perceived pain.
Symptoms:
Fibromyalgia can sometimes start after the individual suffers physical trauma, has had a major surgery, a significant infection or suffers from psychological stress. There are other cases when the symptoms amass over time with no clear trigger. Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men, although the reason is unknown. Symptoms of Fibromyalgia include: tension headaches, cognitive issues, depression, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression, widespread pain, trigger point pain, abdominal cramping, fatigue, daytime drowsiness, and sleep issues such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea. The individual often struggles with focus, their ability to pay attention, and their ability to carry out mental tasks.
Causes:
It is unknown what causes Fibromyalgia, but there are a few theories. One is genetics, as they are finding that it often runs in families. Certain genetic mutations seem to make people more likely to acquire the disorder. Certain infections seem to trigger Fibromyalgia. Significant emotional trauma seems to be linked to triggering Fibromyalgia. This seems to be especially present with individual who suffer with PTSD. There is also a theory that a chemical called "substance P" is up to 4 times more prevalent in spinal fluid of individual with Fibromyalgia. It is also thought that increases in neurotransmitters in the brain causes individuals to overreact to pain signals.
Supplements Showing Promise:
Vitamin D: Individuals with Fibromyalgia have shown to have low Vitamin D and magnesium levels. However, taking these supplements has not been proven to improve symptoms. Vitamin D has been shown to have some effects on nerve and muscle function. There are ongoing studies exploring the links between low Vitamin D levels and the chronic pain of Fibromyalgia.
Magnesium: Low levels of magnesium have been found in individuals with Fibromyalgia, although it has not been proven that taking the supplement improves symptoms.
Melatonin: this hormone helps with sleep, and it is also believed to help ease the pain of Fibromyalgia.
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan): This is believed to help increase an individual serotonin levels, which can help increase the individual's mood. There is also a study found that suggests that 5-HTP supplements help with anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia pain, and morning stiffness.
SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine): This is another supplement that is thought to boost serotonin as well as dopamine, a chemical also thought to help with mood and sleep.
St. John's wort: This is thought to ease some fibromyalgia symptoms. It is also the most studied supplement for treating depression. It has been shown in numerous studies to help with mood, but it can limit the effectiveness of some medications. It is important to speak with your doctor about whether it you are on one of those medications.
Alternative Treatments to Consider:
Acupuncture: is one of the oldest forms of treatment for chronic pain. Several studies have showed promise in it decreasing the pain of fibromyalgia. There are three studies which showed increased effectiveness with a pulsed electric current called electro acupuncture. While the treatment seems to relieve pain, the results are not long-lasting, so many people go weekly to bi-weekly for treatments.
Massage therapy: is one of the most common treatments for fibromyalgia. There is a certain type of massage called Trigger Point Massage, which can be very therapeutic and pain releasing. Like acupuncture, the results are not long lasting, so you will need to go back bi-weekly to monthly.
Biofeedback: uses the mind-body connection to help you learn to control your chronic pain with your mind. The feedback comes from muscle tension, skin temperature, or brain wave measurements. Biofeedback is now available through apps and programs you can buy for your PC or laptop.
Chiropractic medicine: consists of realignment of the spine and bones to relieve pain and to improve overall function. Studies show it can be effective for relief of back, neck, or headache pain. It is shown to be particularly effective for migraines and spinal pain.
What you can do for yourself and with a therapist:
There are a number of things that you can do for yourself through lifestyle changes, and the help of an individual therapist to ease your pain and suffering. Heat can reduce stiffness and deep down pain. Invest in a heating pad, take a shower or bath, or take a steam bath at your local health club. Cold can be helpful, but is generally thought to not be as effective as heat. Do light exercise such as stretching or yoga to help stretch muscles. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night, and eat a healthy diet. If you are eating a diet high in carbs and sugar, you are not going to feel and function as well as a diet of clean and healthy food.
Fibromyalgia symptoms impact on your work, relationships, and ability to manage your daily activities. Therapy can help you realize what you do and do not have control over, and can help you focus on the things you can control. To do this, put in place a combination of treatments, including exercise, healthy eating, supplements, alternative treatments, and individual therapy. This is the best option for a holistic approach that shows the greatest overall benefit. It is difficult to accept and adjust to living with a chronic condition. Therapists do know there is a connection between pain, depression, and anxiety. Your emotional health is just as important as your physical health. Be sure to keep that in mind when you are trying to holistically treat your Fibromyalgia.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia-pictures/8-natural-fibromyalgia-treatments.aspx#02
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/basics/definition/con-20019243
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-pain-10/alternative-treatments-for-fibromyalgia
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