Fibromyalgia Pain Management
Fibromyalgia pain management is the first step in alleviating the symptoms caused by this condition. The first, but most difficult step you can take is to make some major lifestyle changes.
Diet. It is important to eat a healthy a well balanced diet. Try to eat more whole grains and lean meats. Eliminate or reduce refined sugars, additives and other chemicals (think organic), and any foods you think you may be allergic to.
Exercise. Not only can the chemicals produced during Exercise help relieve pain and reduce fatigue, regular exercise can afford you a more restful sleep. Starting an exercise program may be difficult because it can increase fatigue for the first few weeks, but it you stick with it, you’ll be feeling better in no time.
Reduce Stress. Stress can not only make physical symptoms worse, it can also reduce your ability to cope with the symptoms and increase feelings of Depression and anxiety. Take some time every day to unwind. You may also want to take up meditation or yoga.
If diet and lifestyle changes aren’t helping enough, you can head down to your local nutrition store and pick up a supplement that might do the trick. Just remember that just because they’re natural doesn’t mean they’re safe. Always talk to your doctor before taking any new medications.
Here are supplements that have been helpful for some fibromyalgia patients:
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
Magnesium
Vitamin D
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Melatonin
Thiamine
Vitamin B12
Capsacin
In addition to herbal supplements, you may want to try alternative therapies, including:
Massage therapy. This allows the muscles to relax and can help relieve some pain.
Cognitive Therapy. This, conducted under the supervision of a psychologist, can be used to help you mentally cope with the pain. It may relieve other symptoms and leave you feeling better.
Acupuncture. While many people are hesitant to try acupuncture and other types of western medicine, others swear by it for stress relief and pain management.
Physical Therapy. A trained physical therapist can give you specific exercises that are designed to work specific muscles and reduce your pain.
While you probably don’t need to use all these options, you can try different fibromyalgia pain management remedies until you find something that works well for you. It may take some experimentation and a lot of patience, but you’re bound to be feeling better in no time.