Only someone who is suffering from fibromyalgia knows how difficult life can be with the disorder. It affects muscles and soft tissues, leading to chronic body pain, sleeps problems, fatigue as well as memory and mood issues.
This article will give you a better understanding of the disease, and help you know about the various fibromyalgia treatments and tips to ease the pain.
About The Disease
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by sleeplessness and cognitive difficulties. It has been found that the problem often co-exists with other painful conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, interstitial cystitis and temporomandibular joint disorder. Though the exact cause of the disease is not known, doctors believe that it involves some different factors like genes, infections and physical or mental trauma.
No diagnosis concludes that a person has fibromyalgia. That’s why individuals with this problem do not even realize what they are suffering from in many cases. One diagnosis includes doctors ruling out other diseases with the symptoms before zeroing in on fibromyalgia.
Treatment
Fibromyalgia treatments include both medication and self-care, the emphasis of which is on minimizing the symptoms and improving the general health of the patient.
Medication
Some medications have been found successful in pain management. These include:
#1. Anti-Depressants
Duloxetine and milnacipran have been found to be highly effective solutions for fibromyalgia. These drugs also help in controlling fatigue that comes with this disorder. The muscle relaxant, cyclobenzaprine, is also prescribed by many doctors.
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#2. Pain Relievers
Other medicinal fibromyalgia treatments include the use of over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Naproxen sodium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug may also be helpful in controlling the discomfort. Based on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may also prescribe tramadol, which is used for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain.
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#3. Antiseizure Drugs
Drugs designed for treating epilepsy have been found effective in treating certain kinds of pains. Gabapentin, which is marketed under Neurontin brand name, is among the highly effective solutions for fibromyalgia. Also, pregabalin, which can be bought under the brand name Lyrica, is a tried and tested drug for administering the symptoms of the disorder.
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Therapy
Many therapies have been proven successful in reducing the effect that fibromyalgia has on one’s body and mind. These are:
#1. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focused on improving the strength, stamina and flexibility can be helpful for fibromyalgia patients. Especially water-based exercises have been found to be useful to a vast extent. Besides exercises, physical therapists utilize a plethora of options, such as deep-tissue massage, and ice and heat packs.
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#2. Occupational Therapy
Many doctors offering fibromyalgia treatments and tips recommend occupational therapy for patients suffering from a severe case of the disease. Occupational therapy focuses on helping people in performing day-to-day tasks. An occupational therapist can teach you particular ways to carry out specific actions, which will cause less stress on your body and mind.
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#3. Counselling
Suffering from a disease for a long time can take a toll on a person’s mind, and researchers have found that about 30 per cent of the Fibromyalgia patients also suffer from depression. Though it is not clear yet if depression is a symptom or a result of the disease, doctors unanimously agree that counseling assists in the speedy treatment of the disorder.
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Natural Fibromyalgia Treatments
Plenty of fibromyalgia treatments and tips for pain management include alternative therapies, and these are rapidly becoming a part of the western medicine. Doctors prescribe yoga and meditation as these not only accelerate the recovery or treatment of the patient but can, in fact, treat them.
Among the most effective natural fibromyalgia treatments are:
#1. Yoga
Yoga has been there for thousands of years, but the western medicine is just starting to accept it as an impactful treatment for illnesses. The practice involves meditation, breathing exercises as well as bodily movements that have been successful in controlling fibromyalgia symptoms. Besides, yoga, you can also try tai chi, the ancient Chinese martial arts, which is known for its diverse health benefits.
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#2. Meditation
Several studies on meditation have established improvements in sleep, fatigue, and pain. A recent study also suggested that patients who practiced yoga and meditation on a regular basis reportedly suffered from less anxiety, stiffness, and depression.
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#3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture and chiropractic have been proven to be effective, especially in dealing with pain-related illnesses, such as fibromyalgia. This Chinese practice involves inserting needles into the skin at various points and to varying depths. While some researchers support acupuncture as a reliable treatment for the disorder, others indicate no benefit.
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Are you or someone you know suffering from fibromyalgia? Kindly use the comment box below to share your thoughts and do let us know which fibromyalgia treatments and tips you think are most effective to ease the pain.
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