Fibromyalgia affects about 2 percent of the American population, according to the Mayo Clinic. Both men and women can develop the syndrome, but it is most common in women between 20 and 50 years of age. Ayurvedic, or traditional, Indian medicine, has proven to provide relief to sufferers. As in the case of other complementary and alternative forms of medicine, it is wise to apprise your doctor of your decision to try ayurveda.
Nature of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome with no clearly defined cause. Signs include a generalized muscular ache in combination with 18 specific tender points at the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, top of shoulders, front sides of the neck, outer elbows, upper chest, upper hips, sides of hips and inner knees.
Sleep disturbances such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea, as well as fatigue, also are common among fibromyalgia sufferers. Other accompanying conditions may include depression, headaches, irritable bowel, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lupus and osteoarthritis.
Although persons with fibromyalgia may seem to get plenty of sleep, they are unable to reach deeper, healing levels of sleep and often awaken with generalized aches and joint stiffness. For some, the aches and pains improve during the day but for others the pain is constant.
Effectiveness of Ayurveda Studied
A 2009 study of treatment of 31 women with fibromyalgia at the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center in Norway found that 28 of the women treated with ayurvedic methods who completed a six-month follow-up questionnaire experienced improvement in their symptoms ranging from 25 to 46 percent.
Study participants were given physiological purification therapy, coaching on ayurvedic dietary principles and instruction in transcendental meditation techniques to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. The study, published in the journal Clinical Experiments in Rheumatology, concluded that "these encouraging results warrant further research."
Herbal Approach to Fibromyalgia
Ayurvedic herbal methods for treating fibromyalgia include taking 1/2 tsp. turmeric twice a day. Turmeric, a popular spice in many Southeast Asian and East Indian dishes, contains an anti-inflammatory substance called curcumin which is a powerful antioxidant that reduces histamine levels, possibly by increasing output of natural cortisone.
Another herbal remedy in ayurvedic medicine is dried gum resin of the commiphora mukul tree which grows wild in India. The dried resin has a bitter taste but the scent of balsam. It is commonly known as guggulu or guggul. This substance is believed by ayurvedic practioners to have anti-inflammatory and pain relief features.
An ayurvedic diet appropriate for treating fibromyalgia includes vegetable juices and soups, coconut water and milk, carrot, cucumber and beetroot juices, cooked vegetables such as squash and zucchini, spices such as turmeric, cumin, fennel and garlic and green salads with lemon juice and a bit of salt.
Combination of Therapies
Because stress is considered a key component of fibromyalgia in both Western and ayurvedic medicines, meditative yoga, breathing yoga, transcendental meditation and relaxation exercises in combination with other treatments and drugs are considered effective. Regular exercise and stretching exercises are also recommended.
The ayurvedic view of fibromyalgia is that the condition is caused by a buildup in toxins that causes poor digestion, constipation and other signs of chronic stress. In addition, therapeutic massage has proven effective in reducing the stress that seems to accompany fibromyalgia pain. Specifically, the use of herbalized oil for massage is thought to release these toxins.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Although its cause is unknown, some evidence suggests that fibromyalgia patients may have abnormal pain responses; other evidence shows a higher incidence of the syndrome in women who have been physically or sexually abused. More research into the cause or causes of the condition is needed, while progress in treating the symptoms advances.
