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http://altmedicine.about.com/b/a/075769.htm

 

Natural Treatments for Fibromyalgia

 

March 29, 2004Natural Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that

many experts believe is underdiagnosed. This illness affects between 3 to 6

million people in the United States. Of these, 80 percent are women. The main

symptoms of fibromyalgia are muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and

tender points at certain parts of the body. Many people describe fibromyalgia as

feeling like a persistent flu.

 

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Numerous theories have been suggested,

such as viral infections, hormonal and chemical imbalance, and physical and

emotional trauma. Read more to learn about natural treatments and home remedies

for fibromyalgia, including herbs, nutritional supplements, diet and nutrition,

Chinese medicine, and much more.

 

 

Also known as: fibrositis, myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyositis

 

The name fibromyalgia indicates pain in fibrous tissues, muscles, tendons,

ligaments, and other sites on the body. The neck, shoulders, thorax, low back,

and thighs are the most common areas affected.zILo='';function

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Fibromylagia occurs mainly in women aged 30 to 50. Some clinicians believe that

fibromyalgia may be induced or intensified by physical or mental stress, poor

sleep, trauma, exposure to damp or cold, and occasionally by a systemic and

usually rheumatic disorder.

 

People often report a traumatic event that triggered the initial symptoms, such

as severe infectious illness such as lyme disease, emotional or physical stress,

an accident, or a history of childhood physical abuse.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms of fibromyalgia are generalized aching, pain and tenderness throughout

the body. People often describe neck, shoulder, low back and hip pain that seem

to move from place to place.

 

Sleep is often disturbed, and people often wake up at night with a feeling of

stiffness, fatigue, and achiness. People with fibromyalgia appear to have

abnormal brain waves in stage 4 sleep, which is the deepest stage of sleep.

Stage 4 sleep in important for tissue repair, antibody production, the formation

of growth hormone, and muscle and bone health. People with fibromyalgia wake

during this stage, and consequently do not feel they have had a restful sleep.

 

People with fibromyalgia have been found by researchers to have increased

amounts of neurotransmitters that cause pain responses, such as substance P, and

depressed levels of natural painkillers, such as serotonin and growth hormone.

Lower levels of serotonin are also involved in depression.

 

The American College of Rheumatologists defines fibromyalgia as the presence of

widespread chronic pain and the existence of pain in at least 11 of 18 specific

points on the body when pressure is applied.

 

Other symptoms include intolerance to cold or heat, urinary frequency, irritable

bowel syndrome, anxiety, headache, numbness and tingling. Conventional lab tests

and physical exam is often normal, which can be frustrating for the patient.

 

Natural Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Use of a single supplement may bring some relief, but a total program is usually

necessary to bring true healing to people with fibromyalgia. A naturopathic

doctor or other qualified health practitioner can assess the symptoms and

develop a customized health plan.

 

Diet

Research has found that switching to a vegetarian diet can improve symptoms of

pain, joint stiffness, and sleep disturbances in people with fibromyalgia. Sugar

should be avoided. An elimination and challenge diet can help to identify the

foods that may be worsening the symptoms.

 

Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbs

SAMe – Short for S-adenosylmethionine, SAMe is a chemical derived from a

combination of the amino acid methionine and the main molecule for energy in the

body, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In one preliminary study, people took 800 mg

of SAMe or placebo for 6 weeks. Compared to the group taking placebo, those

taking SAMe improved in disease activity, pain at rest, fatigue, and morning

stiffness. The amount of tender points was the same as placebo. People with

bipolar disease (manic depression), who are taking anti-depressants, or who are

using the drug levidopa (commonly prescribed for Parkinson’s disease) should not

use SAMe.

 

5-HTP – Short for 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-HTP is commonly used for depression

because it is believed to increase serotonin in the brain. People with

fibromyalgia have been found to have lower levels of tryptophan. Tryptophan is a

precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps with sleep and prevents

depression. A typical dosage of 5-HTP is 100 to 200 mg three times a day. Once

5-HTP begins to work, the dosage can be reduced significantly while still

maintaining the results. People taking prescription antidepressants, the

Parkinson’s medication carbidopa, or medications that raise serotonin levels,

such as tramadol (Ultram), sumatriptan, and zolipidem (Ambien) should not take

5-HTP unless under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

 

Magnesium – People with fibromyalgia have been found to be deficient in

magnesium. Although the conventional test for serum magnesium may be normal,

magnesium levels are often low when the red blood cell magnesium is checked.

 

Increase magnesium rich foods such as legumes, tofu, seeds, nuts, whole foods,

and green leafy vegetables. Magnesium supplements can also be used to improve

energy levels and emotional states, while decreasing pain. A typical dose of

magnesium is 150 to 250 mg three times per day of magnesium citrate or magnesium

malate.

 

 

Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbs, cont'd

Malic acid – Malic acid is an important substance for producing energy at the

cellular level. Apples are one source of malic acid. Clinically, malic acid has

been found to reduce the fatigue and pain of fibromyalgia

 

A typical dosage for fibromyalgia is 1200 to 2000 mg per day, taken in divided

doses.

 

Herbs and nutrients for adrenal support – People with fibromyalgia have low

levels of cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. When there is

chronic stress, high amounts of cortisol are released. Prolonged stress can

“exhaust” the adrenal glands, a functional condition commonly referred to as

adrenal fatigue.

 

Low cortisol secretion is linked to low energy, muscle weakness and pain,

thyroid dysfunction, immune system depression, sleep disorders, poor skin

regeneration, and decreased growth hormone uptake. Adrenal glandulars,

pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin C, licorice, rhodiola rosea, and oatstraw

are just some of the supplements that can tonify the adrenals.

 

Antioxidants – Vitamin C and E, selenium, CoQ10, cysteine, and N-acetyl cysteine

(NAC) are antioxidant nutrients that may benefit people with fibromyalgia.

 

Herbs – Herbal formulas should be customized for a person’s unique symptoms and

condition. A typical formula to treat the symptoms, ease pain, and strengthen

the immune system uses equal parts of the following herbs:

 

 

Echinacea – an immune tonic

 

devils claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) – an anti-inflammatory

 

black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) – an anti-inflammatory

 

licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – an adrenal tonic and anti-inflammatory

 

dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – a liver cleanser

 

burdock (Arctium lappa) – blood cleanser

 

A typical dose is 1 teaspoon taken three times per day.

 

Bodywork

Massage therapy, osteopathic medicine, therapeutic touch, feldenkrais method,

and acupuncture are just some of the therapies that can benefit people with

fibromyalgia.

 

Exercise

Exercise can help to raise serotonin levels, which can help decrease pain and

improve energy. Usually an exercise program is recommended after people with

fibromyalgia have regained some strength through a vitamin and herb program.

 

Other Treatments for Fibromylagia

Guaifenesin – An endocrinologist named Dr. St. Amand uses the gout medication

guaifenesin to treat fibromyalgia. He believes that people with fibromyalgia

have calcium phosphate deposits on muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Amand

developed his theory after observing that his own fibromyalgia patients had a

high level of dental calcium phosphate deposits. There is usually a worsening of

symptoms before improvement. He begins with a dose of 300 mg of guaifenesin a

day, a dose he believes to work in about 20 percent of his patients. If no

healing crisis occurs after two weeks, Amand increases the dose to 600 mg per

day, a dose he believes to work in about 50 percent of patients. The remaining

30 percent of patients he gives an even higher dose. People doing this therapy

must avoid all salicylates, because they negate the treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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