FIBROMYALGIA PAIN TREATMENT

Fibromyalgia pain is a call to action!

The only conventional medical treatment that has been proven to be very useful, is exercise. This exercise however, has to be done according to a strict protocol.

This protocol is also appropriate for anyone who is just starting an exercise program to get fit.

We are concerned here with the amount rather than the exact type of “aerobic” exercise.

Exactly the same principles apply to resistance exercises (such as pumping iron.)

The type of exercise will vary with the details of your condition, and may need to be prescribed by an exercise physiologist.

Your exercise protocol for fibromyalgia pain relief

You do this every day, including on bad days.

It is equally important not to do more exercise than that, on a good day.

People who are disabled, naturally feel very frustrated. They can’t do what they used to be able to do. If they have a good day, they are likely to “go for it” and end up getting very sore or fatigued. If you do this, it can set you back badly.

I can vouch for this from personal experience. Some years ago, I foolishly disregarded the program laid out for me at a gymnasium, thought I could start much more quickly, and paid dearly for it. I was really surprised how many days I was sore for.

In a fortnight or so, once it is clear there’s no problem, the exercise program is increased a little.

This is increased after that as often as you feel fit enough to do so.

This exercise regime is appropriate for everyone in just about every circumstance, not only for fibromyalgia pain . People with severe heart or lung disease even, respond favorably. In these people the benefit can be quite useful. It can be enough for them to no longer need surgery.

Consider getting a top of the range mini trampoline, or an air walker. If you're pretty disabled, you will be starting with very brief workouts. These can be one step away from your bed.

Conventional medicine has very little to offer otherwise, apart from pain relief.

Adjuvant drugs used including amitriptyline, duloxetine hydrochloride, gabapentin and naltrexone are sometimes of limited use.

The emotional side of things

Adequate pain relief is a must, even if it involves conventional medicine and opiod drugs temporarily. NSAID drugs are another thing, even over the counter versions. These are even more likely to aggravate while they relieve.

In order to overcome the attitudes developed because of disability, and the belief patterns developed because of failed treatments, some self analysis using an affirmation - response exercise may be helpful.

This is self administered, contemplative work. You may operate better when interacting with other people, who can act as a sounding board, reality check etc.

Reiki is wonderful in this work, operating at a totally different level. It provides fuel for the spiritual part of our being, leaves it up top us how we use it.

Naturopathic and lifestyle approaches

These range from providing symptomatic relief to attempting to manage the underlying biochemical and physiological disturbances.

Basic keys to natural health.com provides a valuable focus on what is needed. It is based on 50 years' experience in the Naturopathic and Holistic approach to health by a nurse now in her late 70's and still going strong.

Basic Keys to Natural Health

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are allied conditions.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs) as usually defined, is simply a small segment of this continuum (with a relatively sudden onset, predominantly of fatigue, following a probable viral infection.)

None of these labels make a scrap of difference to management.

As with inflammation , for causes of fatigue and fibromyalgia pain, start by looking at your bowel function and flora.

Check your detoxification metabolism by specialized pathology, again through laboratories such as Great Smokies or Metametrix.



Acupuncture is worth trying, as part of the whole management.

Nutrient supplements can be used to alter neurotransmitters involved in acute and chronic pain.
Magnesium has been shown to reduce need for pain relief after operations¹. It blocks NMDA receptors, concerned with pain. It is low in fibromyalgia.

low levels of breakdown products of noradrenaline and serotonin have been found in the cerebrospinal fluid which surrounds the brain, in people with fibromyalgia. Drugs, herbs and nutrients to increase the levels of these neurotransmitters, are used

From fibromyalgia pain to home pain page

Parkinsonism as a cause of general aches and pains.

Chronic pain syndrome page

Cancer pain - general comments on management

References for fibromyalgia pain page