Fibromyalgia is classified as a rheumatic disease or disorder characterized by chronic achy muscle pain, stiffness and easy fatigue. Body areas commonly affected by this disorder include the lower back, the neck, shoulders, upper chest, thighs, and back of the head. It is a degenerative disease that affects approximately 3.7 million Americans according to statistics (National Women’s Health Centre).
Causes and Risk Factors
Fibromyalgic attacks can be triggered by:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Frustration
- Overexertion
- Lack of exercise (immobility, sedentariness)
- Lack of sleep
- Trauma
- Extreme temperature changes
Fibromyalgia can interfere with normal daily activities and in worse case scenarios, can outright be disabling, resulting in disability.
Symptoms
People who suffer with fibromyalgia experience a chronic burning, shooting, throbbing, and stabbing pain that at times can become quite excruciating.
It is reported that the pain is greater in the morning than at other times of the day. The pain may be associated with chronic headaches, strange sensations in the skin, insomnia (or alpha -EEG, a sleep disorder); TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), painful menses, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), anxiety, palpitations, bladder problems, skin sensitivities, dry eyes, dry mouth, vertigo, impaired coordination, and mild to moderate depression.
Natural Healing For Fibromyalgia
Magnetic therapy is ideal for healing pain conditions naturally.
Acupuncture and massage can help redirect blood flow and energy to the brain, bones, muscles and nerves, and can offer relief for fibromyalgia symptoms.
Yoga or tai chi offer a combination of deep breathing, meditation and slow movement, which can help with fibromyalgia.
Other healing options are:
- Stress reduction
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Dietary Intervention
Eat predominantly fruits and vegetables. Consider a vegan raw foods diet as well. Fruits and vegetables offer our bodies the necessary building blocks to restore optimal health and wellbeing.
Drink alkaline water! It’s the best water you can drink today. Alkaline water helps to restore our body’s pH level to its natural level (7.3 pH).
To facilitate and improve sleep, before bedtime, consume tea or capsules of the following nervine herbs:
- Kava Kava
- Valerian Root
- Jatamansi
- Blue Vervain
- Wild Lettuce
- Lavender Flower
- Hops
- Skullcap
- Passionflower
- Chamomile
Herbs that help with reducing pain include:
- Feverfew
- Meadowsweet
- White Willow Bark
- Black Willow Bark
- Balm of Gilead
- Wood Betony
- Woodruff
Other dietary recommendations for managing fibromyalgia are:
- Limit caffeine intake
- Don’t smoke
- Don’t drink alcohol or other drugs
