HEALTH NOTES

MORE ON FIBROMYALGIA

PART II

Last week I discussed fibromyalgia, its signs, symptoms and standard medical treatment. This week I would like to discuss some alternative treatment methods.

Individuals looking at alternatives often utilize supplementation in the form of magnesium, to assist with muscular symptoms. The dosage for this is usually within the 300 – 600 mg range; however, this must be determined by your treating doctor.

B-vitamins are also helpful in assisting in reducing areas of tenderness and fatigue. Omega-3 fatty acids, which many of you have read quite a bit about in recent history, as I have written a number of articles regarding these nutritional substances. By increasing your Omega-3 fatty acids and decreasing saturated fats, you may also note a significant reduction in fibromyalgia symptoms. Reducing red meat intake, which often contain significant quantities of saturated fats, and increasing your intake of fish, particularly salmon and cod, flaxseed oil and other nut oils including walnut oil, you will thereby proportionately increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids.

These substances, as I have noted in previous articles, assist with nerve and brain function. They combat such conditions as depression and memory loss, both of which are symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Simple things that can be done to assist your sleep quality are reducing caffeine intake, particularly in the evening, and limited your use of TV and computer prior to going to sleep. If you are going to be watching TV, it is best to watch programs that are not violent or disturbing in content, and are either humorous or relaxing for you prior to going to sleep.

Stress management is also helpful in dealing with the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Cognitive therapy has been helpful in treating fibromyalgia patients. Also, understanding that you must maintain a positive mental attitude. The way you manage stress or rather fail to manage it correctly can put you in to a tailspin with your emotions, creating further physical symptoms in your body.

Exercise is important; however, as I note to all of my patients, the exercise must be of the proper type and timing. Inappropriate exercise or exercise applied at an inappropriate time during your recovery can create further complicating issues for you in treating this condition.

Types of exercise which are most effective in treating fibromyalgia symptoms including yoga, pilates,or tai chi, as opposed to aerobic gym-based exercise. Mild stretching and relaxation, along with breathing techniques associated with these three types of exercise are very effective in

reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Other alternative techniques including chiropractic spinal adjustments, massage therapy techniques, and therapeutic protocols including muscle stimulation therapy and ultrasound are often times helpful in dealing with the physical and physiological signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome.

This can be a devastating and life changing disorder, which not only affects the individual, but also their families and friends. As I noted at the outset of this article, appropriate and accurate early diagnosis is crucial for proper and early treatment of this condition. The earlier the condition is treated the more rapidly improvement occurs. The longer the condition lingers on, the more difficult it is to treat and the longer it takes. I always tell patients that a long-standing condition such as fibromyalgia is treated like peeling the skin back on the onion – it’s done one layer at a time.

I trust that this information has assisted you in understanding this confusing and complicated condition.