Fibromyalgia is a challenging condition to live with. It is a chronic condition that currently has no cure. It can cause widespread pain, extreme fatigue, memory problems, insomnia, depression and many other symptoms. Treatment often includes medication to help manage the symptoms. However even with medication symptoms may still exist and there can be side effects. This leaves some patients searching for alternative treatments for fibromyalgia. Before starting any new treatment program it is best to consult with a physician to help avoid complications.
Try a Variety of Techniques
Step 1
Look into massage therapy. Massage therapy can help to relax tight and sore muscles and release tension. It is best to find a therapist who understands fibromyalgia, because too deep of a massage can make symptoms worse. The National Fibromyalgia Association states that the right kind of massage can relieve painful trigger points and gently stretch muscles. Therapists can also use ice or a topical anesthetic spray to numb an area before stretching it. This helps to reduce pain and make the stretches more tolerable. Talk to a health care provider to get referrals for therapists who have the right training to work with this condition.
Step 2
Meditate to help manage physical and emotional stress. A daily meditation or deep breathing practice can help to bring stress levels down and may help to control symptoms such as pain and fatigue. Meditation techniques can be learned by taking a yoga or tai chi class, attending biofeedback sessions or going to stress management workshops. The Mayo Clinic suggests that part of managing stress is to avoid dropping out of activities altogether as this can lead to isolation. Patients with fibromyalgia who discontinue all activities tend to have a harder time with this disease. However, staying involved must be balanced with conserving energy and saying no when necessary.
Step 3
Take up yoga. While yoga practice cannot cure fibromyalgia it can enhance quality of life, claims the Yoga Journal website. A gentle yoga class can teach techniques to help patients cope with the symptoms of their condition. Practicing yoga is all about learning to listen to signals from the body and then making adjustments to the poses as needed. This process can then be used during everyday life to help know when it is OK to push and when rest is needed. Yoga postures combined with deep breathing helps encourage the body to let go of tension and tightness, both during the class and outside class. In other words, one learns how to move the body in a way that does not cause unnecessary tension. Since there are hundreds of forms of yoga it is important to try several classes to find the right fit.
Step 4
Talk to a doctor about using S-adenosylmethionine. S-adenosylmethionine or SAMe is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that plays a role in many functions. SAMe can be injected, given intravenously or taken in a pill form. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that research on the use of SAMe shows mixed results; however, some patients who have taken 400 mg twice per day for six weeks experienced a reduction in pain, stiffness, depression and fatigue. SAMe can cause side effects and interact with other medications, so it should only be used under medical supervision.
Step 5
Exercise regularly. According to Johns Hopkins, the most important thing is that the patient plays an active role in their care. This includes participating in the right level of exercise, which can help to reduce pain, enhance overall fitness, improve mood and reduce the number of tender points. Working with a physical therapist is a good way to design an effective program that does not exacerbate symptoms. It will be important to balance activity with periods of rest to avoid causing additional pain and fatigue.
Tips and Warnings
- Always consult a physician before starting any new therapy. Some therapies can interfere with other treatments being received and the wrong approach can do more harm than good.
- Always listen to your body to know what is right. Stop any therapy that makes symptoms worse. Complementary therapies should help you to feel better and enhance any traditional medical treatments you are receiving.
