Characteristics

The characteristics of FMS are chronic pain in the muscles, fatigue, the development of tender points on the body which become susceptible to the mildest of pressure and there starts pain on the point, the disturbances in the sleep patterns of the individual is the most common among the FMS sufferers. There is also Stiffness, especially in the morning, problems with thinking and concentrating, which is called as the fibrofog condition. The use of medicines in the treatment of FMS concentrates on reducing the symptoms of the disease, which include Analgesics, ani-inflammatory medicines, Antidepressant medicines, Muscle relaxants, medicines for anxiety, and most importantly medications for an undisturbed sleep. The physician may also prescribe other medicines that help to reduce the pain in the disorder. However the patient must keep in mind that the disorder is not curable and the medicines only treat the symptoms and not the disease as such. The medications should also be coupled with the exercises that are not very heavy in nature.

The medications of analgesics include such painkillers as aspirin and acetaminophen, which are available over the counter. The narcotic medicines like the codeine, Vicodin, Darvocet, Oxycontin are also used to reduce the pain in the condition. The anti-inflammatory medications include medicines like the aspirin and the non-steroidal drugs like ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Lodine, Daypro. The medicine like the ibuprofen is available by prescription as well as over the counter. The antidepressant medication include amitriptyline, nortriptyline, doxepin, and trazodone

Healthy environment:

By creating and maintaining a healthy internal environment, one can regain and maintain a state of vibrant health. There are many natural healing powers in the market. The defining fibromyalgia symptoms are pain in muscle fibers and connective tissues, the inability to reach a deep state of sleep, fatigue and depression. When the body is sore and muscles do not have adequate rest and regeneration time, one lacks energy and desire to exercise that is critical for health, strength and vitality. The immune system becomes severely compromised, creating an environment for many other ailments. While this disease is not life ominous, it can be life varying and quite devastating. Fibromyalgia can be permanently reversed using natural and alternative therapies.

Cleanse and detoxify:

Regular cleansing of the body will begin the healing of discomforts and diseases and bring more vibrant state of health. Every system in the body will function more efficiently. To be free of discomforts, one must remove the underlying cause or the condition will return. It takes time to clean a body that has been accumulating toxins over a lifetime but the rewards will be well worth the time and effort. When supported with proper nutrition from food, the body can heal arthritis and preserve a state of health. With the proper foods eaten at the right times, the body efficiently absorbs nutrients and eliminates toxins, resulting in a healthy immune system that can heal and be free of pain and disease. Eat simple and natural foods, properly prepared and combined, and the body will be happy to restore and maintain vibrant health.

Massage therapy

Though it may seem like a new technique of massage therapy has actually been around for a long time. In fact, early Egyptians painted pictures of community receiving massages on the inside of their tombs. Massage therapy has been used to treat physical and mental illness for some time. Massage therapy is a hands-on treatment that is fetching more and more popular both with fibromyalgia patients and other pain sufferers. In massage therapy, the muscles and soft tissues are manipulated in order to relieve stress, reduce pain and increase elasticity. Generally done with the hands, there are ranges of different techniques used to give a massage. Common techniques involve stroking, kneading and palpating the muscles. Occasionally, a special instrument or device is used to help relieve tension in tight muscles. Hot and cold therapies are also used through massages in order to increase blood flow and relax muscles.

How does massage therapy work?

Massage treatment or therapy can really reduce the pain, stiffness and tender points caused by fibromyalgia syndrome. No one is 100% sure on how massage actually reduces pain, but it may have something to do with the central nervous system. It is theorized that massage therapy really enhances the production of certain pain blockers, including endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These hormones work to neutralize pain signals conducted by the brain and this would explain why massage offers such dramatic pain relief. Massage therapy is actually one of the most helpful treatments for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. In detail, in a survey completed by fibromyalgia sufferers, massage therapy was rated the best fibromyalgia treatment alternative by an irresistible margin. Massage therapy benefits contain:

1. Improved blood circulation to the muscles, allowing for faster muscle repair
2. Better flexibility
3. Bigger range of motion
4. Reduced stress and depression
5. Compacted pain
6. Reduced stiffness
7. Enhanced sleep patterns

Because of the trigger point chronic pain that is probably the most debilitating symptom of fibromyalgia, sufferers are often prescribed narcotic medications for pain. This inevitably results in a serious addiction to these medications; most physicians who treat fibromyalgia will not prescribe long-term narcotics, but may recommend short-term use during acute pain flare-ups.

For those seeking safe and effective symptom relief, alternative methods are frequently used such as massage therapy, acupuncture, natural supplements and herbs for treating fibromyalgia. Patients should consult with their doctor before taking these alternative supplements and herbs to make sure there are no adverse interactions between them and prescription medications.

Safe And Effective Herbs For Fibromyalgia

Deficiencies in critical vitamins and minerals have been documented to cause or worsen the onset of fibromyalgia: the B vitamins, magnesium, malic acid, and manganese. Along with a healthy diet, taking these supplements appears to provide better sleep quality, reduction in trigger point pain, and relief of chronic fatigue.

Herb preparations for fibromyalgia are considered helpful because their stems, roots, or leaves contain chemicals with healing powers; many prescription medications are directly based upon herbs that have been used to heal for thousands of years. Unlike drugs, herbs for fibromyalgia are in their pure form. They contain chemical substances that boost the immune system, restore sleep, ease pain, and help the body to heal itself.

Specific herbs for treating fibromyalgia include: (1) Red clover; this herb provides energy and boosts the immune system. It is an important herb for fibromyalgia patients because high concentration of B and C vitamins. (2) Passionflower; this herb plays an important part in treating fibromyalgia because it relieves stress, anxiety and insomnia – all classic symptoms of this syndrome. (3) Valerian; this herb has been a front-line treatment for fibromyalgia because of its beneficial effects on sleep and muscle tension. It is a natural sedative that increases the quality of sleep for fibromyalgia patients. It also increases focus and concentration to reduce the “brain fog” that occurs with fibromyalgia. (4) Chamomile has relaxing properties, contributing to the restoration of deep REM sleep. It is high in selenium and zinc, minerals that strengthen the immune system. (5) Ginseng is one of the oldest herbs used to treat fibromyalgia is a powerful immune system stimulant, helping the body to fight off bacterial infections and viruses. (6) Griffonia Simplicifolia is an herb that contains large amounts of 5-HTP, a natural pain reliever that can significantly reduce the pain of the fibromyalgia trigger points on the body.

Therapy:

The Yoga therapy is the ancient way of the Indian culture to treat ailments in very effective and natural manner so that there are no side effects. The Yoga has been recognized all over the world as the most harmless and effective way of dealing with many disorders. The different types of exercises in the Yoga therapy help to reduce pain in the body and it also improves the blood circulation of the body. The meditation or the pranayams in the Yoga help to fight the depression related symptoms in the FMS disorder.

The Yoga therapy helps in the FMS condition by maintaining energy and strength, the muscles in the FMS condition are tight and stiff with the Yoga exercises muscles get relaxed and the sore muscles also get healed. The Yoga therapy also helps to stimulate the blood circulation, and the hormones in the body. The body of the patient gets more oxygen and the toxic elements in the body are thrown out. The Yoga therapy fights against fatigue and helps the patient to becomes active by improving his/her sleep pattern.

Trigger points:

Trigger points are often confused with tender points. It is one of the official criteria for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. There are clear guidelines for distinguishing trigger points from tender points. They are

1. A trigger point needs firm pressure to draw pain, whereas a tender point is so painful it can hardly be touched.
2. Tender points cause only local pain. They do not refer pain to other sites as trigger points do.
3. Trigger points are found inevitable only in certain places and tender points can occur anywhere and everywhere.
Actual fibromyalgia sufferers usually have both types of points. Their states of pain can be improved markedly by careful treatment of their trigger points. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia tender points still avoid an adequate explanation or reliable treatment.

Self-treatment:

Tender points should be at the top of the list during any examination for fibromyalgia and chronic pain. When healthcare practitioners have had sufficient training and experience, tender points are easy to locate and treat. In fact, there are ways to treat them yourself, safely, conveniently and without cost. Palpation of the tender point will obtain pain directly over the affected area and cause radiation of pain toward a zone of reference and a local twitch response. Various modalities like the spray and stretch technique, ultrasonography, manipulative therapy and injection are used to inactivate tender points.

Natural:

There are many natural and safe methods for the effective treatment of the disease. The herbal medicines, the use of acupuncture, the incorporation of Yoga in the treatment of the disease are the much effective ways to combat the disease. The use of Ayurvedic medicines in the treatment of the FMS condition helps a great deal to attack the disease in a safe and harmless way. The disorder is mainly arthritic in nature so the home remedies can do some help in the alleviation of the disease. One can safely opt for the Art care oil and capsules that are ayurvedic and they work as anti-inflammatory massaging oil which reduces pain and strengthens the bones and joints of the body. This home remedy medicine is also anti oxidant which is helpful boosting the energy. This oil can reach inside the body quickly unlike the conventional anti inflammatory drugs this medicine positively treats the stiff and immobile muscles making them strong for motion.

The use of ginger, garlic, menthol and camphor are also important items in the home remedies for FMS. The use of Epsom salt in the hot water for bathing can gently heal the sore muscles. Overstress can aggravate the disorder so the patient should practice some stress releasing therapies that can be done at home. The use of sauna bath and warm baths also can reduce the pain in the muscles. The patient can substitute Ginger tea for the aspirin since it can heal the pain better than the aspirin.

Those who suffer from fibromyalgia for several of the symptoms such as muscle aches, chronic migraines and general body aches and pains use over-the-counter medications. A prescription is not needed for over-the-counter-medications but patients should still let the doctor know that they are taking them because there could be inter-reactions between prescription medications and over-the-counter medications and the doctor should know you are taking them.

Analgesics are given to dull the pain, which is one of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia. Over-the-counter analgesics do not provide good, long-term pain relief. They are fine at providing temporary pain relief, and can reduce the pain of chronic headaches and migraines, but are not effective when it comes to maximum pain relief.

The fibromyalgia medications include anti-depressants, benzodiazepines, growth hormone therapy, Mirapex, COAT, Opiods, and Over-the-counter medications.

What are NSAIDS?

NSAIDS are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is a medication that is sold over-the-counter and prescription and is designed to relieve both inflammation and pain. There are many popular over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers such as aspirin, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. They relieve both pain and inflammation. Some people have side effects such as constipation, headache, diarrhea, and skin rash.

Anti-depressants are used to help relieve the symptoms of depression, which is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. They can also relieve other symptoms of fibromyalgia such as sleeping problems. There are different antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). TCAs work on the chemicals in the brain that transmit messages about pain and emotion. Taking these can reduce pain and give restful sleep. SSRIs are effective in treating symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Benzodiazepines are in the depressant family of drugs. They are used to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. They can also be used to treat sleep disorders and pain.

Some individuals believe that low growth hormone production is a possible cause for fibromyalgia. Our bodies produce a natural human growth hormone (GH). The body naturally makes less as we age and no longer require our bodies to grow. Lack of this growth hormone can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, chronic pain and hypersensitivity to the cold.

It is felt that growth hormones can relieve the fibromyalgia symptoms including chronic and severe pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue.

Mirapex is a new drug that normally is being used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Researchers believe that it can reduce muscle pain and muscle spasms.

Antidepressants are More than a “Head” Medicine

Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants as a medication for your fibromyalgia for a couple of reasons. First, it is not unusual for patients that are coping with chronic pain to become depressed as a result of their ongoing symptoms. An antidepressant can help with those feelings, leading to better sleep and an enhanced ability to relax. It is also true that antidepressants can be effective pain blockers, which can alleviate some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. There are a number of different types of antidepressants on the market today, and some will be most effective in treating the depression itself while others will work better on the pain and sleep problems. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best medication for fibromyalgia for you, and may try more than one before finding the most effective medicine and dosage amount.

Muscle Relaxants Relieve Pain and Help you Sleep

Muscle relaxants are another medication for fibromyalgia that have proven to be effective in managing pain and enhancing restful nights. There is also a variety of these medications on the market, so your chances are very good for finding one that will work well for you. Many of the muscle relaxant medicines can make you drowsy, so it is best to take these medications for fibromyalgia in the evening before bed. The other advantage to this practice is a better night’s sleep, if sleep disturbances have been an issue as well. While some patients report that the muscle relaxants do not do a particularly good job of eliminating all of the muscle spasms that can be associated with fibromyalgia, most agree that there is significant pain reduction with these medications.

If you are suffering with the symptoms from this painful condition, talk to your doctor today about medications for fibromyalgia that could be effective for you. You may be on the road to more pain-free days and an improved quality of life in no time at all.

What is Heat Therapy?

Heat therapy has been roughly since heat has existed. Heat therapy is enjoying a comeback as an excellent way to reduce the severity of chronic pain. Heat therapy is in fact a pretty simple concept. Any treatment that uses heat to help soothe pain, relax muscles or ease stress can be classified as a form of heat therapy. Heat therapy is very accepted because it can be done by pretty much anyone and for very little cost. If there is a bathtub or a shower or even a hot facecloth, one can perform the very own heat therapy treatment. Recently, more complex forms of heat therapy like ultrasound and paraffin waxing has come into the spotlight and they are now being used in pain clinics, hospitals, and spas across North America and Europe. Though it is generally a very simple form of treatment, heat therapy is actually quite original in the way that it relieves pain and muscle stiffness. When applied to sore areas of the body, heat helps to dilate the blood vessels. This encourages blood to rush to the affected area, flushing out toxins and other wastes. This blood also brings oxygen to the site, which helps to repair soft tissue, encourage muscle tone and relax muscles contractions.

Heat relief and fibromyalgia symptoms:

Heat therapy is not suggested for every type of muscle and joint pain. Heat can make pain that is caused by irritation even worse. This means that people facing arthritis and other inflammatory diseases should wait away from heat therapy. But because fibromyalgia pain is not caused by inflammation and heat therapy is an ideal choice for symptom relief. Heat helps to relax stiff and tense muscles, promoting flexibility and increased range of motion. It works to reduce fibromyalgia symptoms, particularly around tender points on the body. It also helps to relieves tension, lessening chronic headaches and reduces stress, thereby promoting restful sleep and reduction in overall symptoms