Fibromyalgia Treatment
No particular fibromyalgia treatment plan is uniformly effective for every fibromyalgia patient.
There are no FDA-approved drugs specifically developed for fibromyalgia treatment but there are fibromyalgia medications commonly used for other conditions that are effective fibromyalgia treatments.
In treating fibromyalgia, many physicians focus mainly on pharmacological treatment, but self-directed and behavioral methods such as exercise and massage therapies have been shown to benefit patients as well.
It is helpful to explain that exercise is essential to improvement of symptoms of fibromyalgia, since it is rare for patients to have a lasting improvement unless they become involved in an aggressive program of low-impact aerobic and stretching exercises.
Low impact aerobic exercises such as water exercise classes; stationary bicycling, rowing machines or cross-country skiing machines can be used. The patient should be instructed to begin at the level of exercise that results in mild tenderness on the following day, but no more.
This level should be slowly and gradually increased, and the patient should be instructed that it might take several months until a benefit is seen.
The important thing to keep in mind is that any fibromyalgia treatment plan must address both alleviation of pain and minimization of sleep disturbance. Improving sleep usually reduces pain and fatigue and improves daytime functioning.
Deep level (stage 4) sleep is crucial for many body functions (such as antibody production, tissue repair and the regulation of various neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system chemicals).
Therefore, the sleep disorders that frequently occur in fibromyalgia patients are treated first because they may be a strong contributing factor to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia medications that boost your body's level of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain, and immune system function) are generally prescribed in low doses, such as cyclobenzaprine, amitriptylineand Celexa. Ambien, clonazepam, and trazodone are just a few of the fibromyalgia medications that may be used to aid sleep.
In addition to fibromyalgia medications, most patients will need to use other fibromyalgia treatment methods as well, such as trigger point injections with lidocaine, occupational therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic care, physical therapy, relaxation/biofeedback techniques, osteopathic manipulation, therapeutic massage, or a gentle exercise program.
Fibromyalgia Cure With Self Care Methods:
Fibromyalgia is a persistent condition for which there is no cure. It is common for symptoms of fibromyalgia to grow and wane; they may be more severe at certain times of the day, month, or year and they may remit for an extended period of time only to reappear later either for no apparent reason or following a traumatic event such as an automobile accident.
But there are ways of coping with fibromyalgia symptoms and preventing exacerbation of pain. Here are some tips:
- It is important for people with fibromyalgia to maintain a regular sleep plan and to get treatment for sleep disorders if necessary.
- Chronic pain has been known to intensify in the presence of sound stress.
- Regular exercise is known to improve symptoms in some patients. For people with fibromyalgia, low-impact activities such as walking, yoga or swimming are the best choice.
- Work with a physician to build up an effective medication regime.
- Gentle massage, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques are all usually considered beneficial with respect to chronic pain management.
