Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain all over the body. Symptoms vary from person to person, as well as the intensity of the pain they experience.
There is no “magic bullet” for fibromyalgia, which means that finding the right medications is often a case of trial and error.
Unfortunately, pain medications don’t often work.
For this reason alternative therapies are often recommended by a practitioner to alleviate symptoms.
Typically these are the symptoms:
- Morning Stiffness
- Widespread Pain
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Anxiety
- Cognitive Memory Impairment or Fibro “Fog”
Alternative therapies and how they work
Many alternative therapies help boost neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine – known to increase pleasure and reduce pain.
Scientific research has linked deficits in the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine with the onset of fibromyalgia; as a result of too much stress, either emotionally or physically. Staying active is critical since serotonin and dopamine are chemicals that are produced when you exercise.
Qigong
Qi Gong is an alternative therapy and form of exercise, offering rhythmic movements that reduce stress, improve cardiovascular, lymphatic and digestive function.
Frequent practice can improve a patient’s outlook and physical symptoms.
Qi Gong encourages a positive outlook and helps eliminate harmful attitudes and behaviors… advocating a balanced lifestyle that in turn results in harmony and wellness. It’s easy to start Qigong practice by simply finding a good video via the internet and starting today.
After you are familiar with the concept – it is best to find a teacher who can tailor the practice to you.
MELT Therapy
MELT therapy may be new to most people.
It is a self treatment program that restores the body’s supportiveness of the connective tissue to help eliminate chronic pain and disease.
MELT works by breaking up the “connective stuck stress” in our tissue through a series of easy, low impact exercises. MELT therapists can be found easily through at internet search.
Often a Physical Therapists will practice MELT therapy, and it is usually covered by insurance.
A typical first MELT session involves lying on a foam roller to cause gentle pressure on your spinal column. This light pressure actually helps hydrate your connective tissue. MELT can easily be practiced at home after a few sessions with a practitioner.
Lotions
Topical lotions are the third recommendation, though it’s important to note that not any lotion or potion will work.
However, pain-relieving rubs are often very effective:
- Camphor
- Menthol
- Peppermint Oil
- Eucalyptus compounds
Visit the natural health and beauty section of a store like Whole Foods and you will find many to choose from. Creams that are effective for arthritis are often good choices for Fibromyalgia pain relief.
What you can do about Fibromyalgia
Diet can play an important role in pain management.
Any diet that recommends low inflammatory foods, for example a Gluten Free or more Alkaline Diet (low Acid) will help with the symptoms. Foods such as salmon, almonds and blueberries are a few on the list.
Managing fibro can be overwhelming – but there are alternative therapies that work.
The therapeutic recommendations above are easy for most people to try, are cost effective and require very little time every day to obtain results.