Alternative Therapies for Fibromyalgia

On this page, we look at some of the currently available alternative
therapies for fibromyalgia and some of the natural products that have
helped some patients obtain relief.
But before we do that, we will first cover conventional treatment for
fibromyalgia.

These typically include sleep medications, muscle relaxers and pain
relievers. Doctors may also prescribe anti-depressants,
anticonvulsants and/or reuptake inhibitors. It is not uncommon to see
reports of patients that take ten or more different prescription
medications.

And despite all of this, people search for alternative therapies for
fibromyalgia and grasp at anything that may give them relief.

Acupuncture and hypnosis are being studied as natural therapies for
fibromyalgia relief. Scientists are doing research in an effort to
learn why acupuncture is an effective natural therapy for fibromyalgia
for some people.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves
placing very thin needles in the skin at certain points throughout the
body. Acupressure is a similar technique that does not involve
needles, but applying pressure to those same points. It is sometimes
recommended as one of the alternative therapies for fibromyalgia,
because doctors do not understand exactly what causes the widespread
daily pain that is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia.

And since conventional medications are often ineffective, may be
addictive, and can cause numerous unwanted side effects, even doctors
look to less conventional methods of treatment for the condition. As a
natural therapy for fibromyalgia, acupuncture has been effective for
some people and may be worth a try.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and pain management therapy are sometimes
used as alternative treatments for fibromyalgia.

Rather than relieving the pain, these therapies focus on coping with
the pain, learning to relax the muscles, reduce stress and avoid
negative thinking patterns that may make the perception of the pain
greater than it actually is. These alternative treatments for
fibromyalgia focus on the mind-body connection and, in particular, how
the mind can affect the body. Cognitive-behavioral and pain management
therapies have been effective for some people.

Massage and chiropractic therapy are sometimes used as alternative
treatments for fibromyalgia. Many people think of chiropractors as
back doctors but, in actuality, misalignment of the vertebra may press
on nerves and cause pain in other parts of the body, so chiropractic
therapy has become a highly recommended form of treatment for all
types of chronic pain and may be an effective natural therapy for
fibromyalgia.
The effectiveness of massage as a natural therapy for fibromyalgia is
questionable. Some patients report that deep muscle massage is
actually uncomfortable and increases pain.

Yoga, meditation, prayer and biofeedback have all been used for
alternative therapies for fibromyalgia with varying degrees of relief
reported. Yoga, swimming and other forms of regular, low-impact
physical exercise may accomplish several things as a part of natural
therapy for fibromyalgia.

First, regular exercise increases muscular strength and endurance.
Second, endorphins released by the brain during exercise are natural
pain relievers and mood enhancers. And third, physical activity
increases blood flow and oxygen supplies to the muscles. A lack of
oxygen in the muscles is believed by some to be one of the causes of
fibromyalgia pain.
As natural therapy for fibromyalgia, many people have tried herbs,
botanicals and vitamin supplements. Proper nutrition is also important
in good health. Unfortunately, chronic pain often leads to depression
in many people and, subsequently, they forget or don't care about
eating right and taking care of themselves.

Some of the vitamins and minerals that may be considered as
alternative therapies for fibromyalgia include B-complex, omega-3 and
6 fatty acids. These recommendations are related to enhancing energy,
mood and healthy joint function.

Sam-E is sometimes recommended as a natural therapy for fibromyalgia,
but Sam-E can have unwanted side effects and should be used with care,
as should St. John's wort and kava for depression relief. None of
these herbal, botanical and vitamin supplements which are sometimes
recommended as alternative therapies for fibromyalgia can relieve
pain, but there is one botanical product which often can.

The mangosteen is a fruit that grows only in areas of Southeast and
Central Asia and was used traditionally by native peoples in these
areas to treat a number of conditions including pain.

Laboratory studies and chemical evaluation has shown that the
mangosteen contain analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents and Cox-2
inhibitors, all of which are pain relievers.

Many people who have tried mangosteen supplements or juice as a
natural therapy for fibromyalgia have reported amazing results. Of the
many alternative therapies for fibromyalgia, mangosteen is one of the
few that can address many different symptoms, not only pain, but also
depression, fatigue, sleeping problems and lack of energy.

Mike Leuthen is chief editor of [http://www.restore-your-health.com],
a free resource covering health conditions A to Z. Please visit us for
more information on how to alleviate fibromyalgia.