Fibromyalgia

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fibromyalgia

Az Wellness Information, the power of Alternative, Complementary and Holistic Medicine. Alternative therapies for everyday symptoms.

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FIBROMYALGIA: actually means "pain of the muscle fiber" and is more common in women. The most common symptoms are severe muscle pain and chronic insomnia. These two conditions feed into each other: insomnia causes muscle pain and stiffness, and mucle pain makes sleep more difficiult. These symptoms can also be associated with exhaustion, overwelming fatigue, sleep disorders, very stiff muscles upon awakening, depression, anxiety, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is very hard to diagnose this condition because there are no specific medical lab tests or x-rays to assist with process. It is only diagnosed based on symptoms. Both eastern and western medicines agree that insomnia is a key to fibromalgia.

Self Help – Exercise (Tai Chi, Yoga, Qu Gong).

Alternative Therapy	Suggestions
Acupuncture	Qi deficiency of the spleen or kidney meridians. Moxibustion (a technique utilizing the herb mugwort) is applied to the end of the acupuncture needle which has been placed over a specific acupuncture point and then burned. This procedure is used to strengthen the entire energy system. Treatment depends on the patients constitution or body type.
Ayurveda (India)	Boswellia for morning stiffness and joint pain.
Food Therapy/ Nutrition	Eat: a healthy diet consuming more plant-based foods (vegetables, whole grains, fruits), add essential fatty acids from cold water fish, nuts and seeds. Eat less carbohydrates, avoid alcohol, caffeine, foods with additives, MSG, refined sugar, salt and fats. Some have found relief of their symptoms by following a vegan diet. Try an elimination diet removing all suspected allergens for 2 weeks, then reintroduce one food every 2-3 days. Start a journal and see what foods cause your symptoms. (Common foods that can cause reactions are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat, fish, eggs, corn, tomatoes and many, many, more). Dietary sources of 5-HTP (an amino acid tryphtophan) are turkey, chicken, milk, potatoes, turnip, collard greens, seaweeds, pumpkin, sumflower seeds. Eat well balanced diet and include pomegranates (juice) it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Eat small meals (4-5) per day. Drink plents of liquids to help flush out toxins (steamed distilled water, mineral waters, spring water), fresh vegetable juices will give you all the vitamins and mineral. Limit your intake of green peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, white potates as these contain solanine which cause pain in your muscles and joints. No meat, dairy or saturated fates...the fat intefere wtih circlulation and promote inflammatory reponse and increase pain. No caffeine, alcohol, or sugar. Avoid wheat, brewer's yeast. Add green drinks between meals to aid in maintaining energy levels and reduce muscle pain. Have your thyroid function checked. Consume magnesium rich foods. (See High BP page for magnesium rich foods)
Herbology, Western	Astragulus, echinacea for immune function, black walnut, garlic to remove parasites. Teas: Burdock, dandelion, red clover to clean blood, hot ginger tea to promote sweating and remove toxins. Ginkgo biloba for circulation and brain function, kava kava for anxiety and mood, licorice root for glandular (adrenals), milk thistle for liver, pau d'arco is good for candidat infection, skullcap and valerian for sleep, white willow bark for pain. Cayenne powder w/wintergreen oil aid in relief of muscle pain. Devils claw, pycnogenol, cat's claw, Ginseng. Valerian for sleep. If associated with irritable bowel - slippery elm bark or chamomile tea or peppermint oil. Other essential oils - jasmine, lemon balm, rosemary, clary sage can be used in your bathe water, in a cotton ball and inhaled.
Holistic	Stress increases the symptoms of fibromyalgia, therefore any mind/body therapies are helpful (meditation, biofeedback, guided imagery, etc.) all help to learn relaxation techniques. Massage therapy may also reduce stress, improve circulation, soothe muscles. Exercise may play an important part in relieving the symptoms of this condition (specifically low impact exercise such as yoga, tia chi, warm water aquatic exercises, etc.), all raise serotonin and endorphin levels which reduce pain.
Homeopathy	Arnica, Bryonia, Calcarea carbonica, Rhus toxicodendron, Ruta graveolens. Remedies are based on specific associated symptoms.
Naturopathic	Acidophilis, Coenzyme Q10, Lecithin, Malic acid and Magnesium 200 mgs (2-3 times per day) with malic acid (500 - 1,200 mgs 1-2 per day) may relieve pain and fatigue. Manganese, Vitamin A plus Vitamin E, Vitamin C w/ bioflavonoids. Vitamina B injections. Apple cider vinegar also contains malic acid. 5-HTP, SAMe, Chorella (a blue-green algae, may lessen symptoms. Increase your intake of essential fatty acids found in fish oils, or in evening primrose oil. NADH, Coenzyme Q10, Quercetin, Thiamin or Vitamin B1, Zinc, Melatonin, DHEA. Calsicum (capsaicin) applied topically for pain.
Traditional Chinese Medicine	Insomnia is key in this condition. Fibromyalgia is caused by one of two things; An imbalance of the spleen and heart (deficiency) and Liver Chi Stagnation with Liver invading the spleen, the formulas of which are Gui Pi Wan for Spleen/Heart and Shu Gan Wan or Ziao Yao Wan for Liver Chi Stagnation. It is recommended that the patient receive these chinese herbal formulas along with acupunture and dietary recommendations. Calming exercises: Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong.

* Disclaimer: The information found in this website has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The suggestions on this site are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Before implementing any of these suggestions, it is recommended that you consult your healthcare practitioner for an evaluation and treatment plan. Every person’s chemistry is different (i.e. DNA, blood type, and chemistry) and the way someone reacts to a suggestion may be different from another.