FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

Integrative TherapiesBy Tina Yarbrough

Fibromyalgia

Means “fibrous tissue, muscle pain.”

Causes

Doctors

Don’t

Know

Symptoms

18 Pain Points

Pain exists in at least 11 of 18 specific points of the body.

Who Gets FMS?

5 million Americans age 18 or older. 80 to 90 percent are women.

Standard Treatments

Painkillers Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory

Drugs Antidepressants Muscle relaxers

Studies show sleep deprivation of healthy people can cause FMS

symptoms.

Sleep-Pain-Stress Cycle

Alternative Therapies

Mindfulness Meditation Nutrition Vitamins & Minerals Massage Supplements Exercise

Mindfulness Meditation Studies suggest

improvements in general aspects of well-being, including quality of life, coping and positive affect, as well as decreased anxiety and depression.

Nutrition

Elimination Diet Candida Diet Gluten Free Diet

There is not much reliable medical research to prove the efficacy of dietary changes.

Many with FMS can attest to its benefit.

Food allergies are common amongst those who live with FMS .

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin absorption is a common problem with FMS

Taking more than RDA may alleviate symptoms

Magnesium B Vitamins Vitamin C Vitamin D

Massage

Massage can be a powerful ally when done properly. Some techniques are:

Myofascial Release Swedish Massage techniques Positional release techniques Reflexology Cranial-Sacral Therapy

Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids as found in fish and flaxseeds

St. John's Wort improves serotonin balance

Melatonin can help improve insomnia 5HTP is a supplement that acts as a

precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin

Probiotics balance intestinal flora & aids IBS

Malic Acid plays role in energy production, best taken in conjunction with Magnesium.

Exercise

Exercise may be more painful at first, but gentle, gradual exercise causes endorphins to release, thereby allaying pain.

Studies show improvements in those doing Tai Chi.

Sources

Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is Fibromyalgia? What Causes Fibromyalgia?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 22 Apr. 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147083.php>.

Weil, Dr., M.D. "Health Centers." Fibromyalgia Symptoms, Fibromyalgia Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00701/fibromyalgia>.

"What Is Fibromyalgia? | Fibrotalk Online Support Community." What Is Fibromyalgia? | Fibrotalk Online Support Community. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.fibrotalk.com/resources/what-is-fibromyalgia/>.

Sources

"Fibromyalgia." Q&A. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/fibromyalgia/default.asp>. "Fibromyalgia... Nine Massage Techniques." Fibromyalgia... Nine Massage Techniques. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2012. <http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2006/01/nine_massage_te.html>.

McCain, Glenn A., M.D., F.R.C.P.(C. "Role of Physical Fitness Training in the Fibrositis/fibromyalgia Syndrome." The American Journal of Medicine 81.1 (n.d.): 73-77. Sciencedirect.com. The American Journal of Medicine. Web. 19 Sept. 2012. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0002934386908818>.

Sources

"Mindfulness Meditation: A New Treatment For Fibromyalgia?" ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 06 Aug. 2007. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070805134742.htm>.

University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/fibromyalgia-000061.htm>.

"The Role of Magnesium in Fibromyalgia." . N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://web.mit.edu/london/www/magnesium.html>.

Sources "Prevalence of Severe Hypovitaminosis D... Persistent Pain." National

Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14661675?dopt=Abstract>.

National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15033151>.

Lautenbacher, Stefan, Bernd Kundermann, and Ju¨rgen-Christian Krieg. "Sleep Deprivation and Pain Perception." Sleep Medicine Reviews 10.5 (2006): 357-69. ScienceDirect.com. Elsevier, Oct. 2006. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.uni-bamberg.de/fileadmin/uni/fakultaeten/ppp_professuren/physiologische_psychologie/Publikation/sleepmedicinereviews.pdf>.

Wang, Chenchen, M.D., and Christopher H. Schmid, Ph.D. "A Randomized Trial of Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia." The New England Journal of Medicine. © 2010 Massachusetts Medical Society., 19 Aug. 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2012. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/nejmoa0912611>.