Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by muscle pain often described as “numbness, stiffness, burning, and spasms.” This condition can be accompanied by sleep problems, fatigue and mood swings.

There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia and doctors are still unsure of its cause.

Standard treatments for fibromyalgia symptoms include pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. They help reduce symptoms such as pain, fatigue and insomnia.

But for some people, these medicines may not provide a good solution. They may cause intolerable side effects and may not provide adequate pain relief.

Therefore, lifestyle changes and more natural treatments are recommended. Below are the most popular natural treatments for fibromyalgia.

Natural remedy

Yoga: Some research shows that yoga can help reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. An older, small study from 2012 from a reliable source found that yoga, along with breathing exercises and meditation, improved fibromyalgia symptoms and coping skills. If the subject is still exercising, it is the same 3 months after the first study.

In 2020, a new case report from a trusted source echoed these claims, showing that nine months of yoga reduced muscle fatigue and improved overall quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. A 2019 study found that yoga reduced symptoms and improved sleep, although results were limited.

Researchers warn that the more people practice yoga, the more pain and fatigue they experience. They caution that more research is needed to better understand who would benefit most from this natural treatment.

Medicine: Can meditation change the way the brain processes pain signals? The jury is still out on this question, but it is clear that meditation can provide some relief from fibromyalgia pain.

A 2015 clinical review by Trusted Source found evidence that meditation can reduce the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms and perceived stress.

A new 2017 review from Trusted Source also found that mindfulness meditation can improve pain, anxiety, and fibromyalgia symptoms.

More research is needed to prove whether meditation helps bring about creative physical changes or how a person can better cope with symptoms.

Massage therapy: Massage therapy can be very beneficial for many conditions, including fibromyalgia.

According to a 2014 review, people who participated in massage therapy for more than five weeks experienced improvements in pain, anxiety and depression symptoms. As with many other natural remedies, researchers say more research is needed in larger populations.

Exercise: Although it can be difficult to motivate yourself to exercise when dealing with fibromyalgia, research shows that lifting weights and exercising can be beneficial.

In fact, a 2017 review of reliable sources found that mobility and muscle-strengthening exercises are the most effective ways to reduce pain and improve health for people with fibromyalgia.

If you’ve never lifted weights before, be sure to ask a certified personal trainer for some helpful steps to get you started.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at various points on the body. It is used to treat a variety of conditions.

Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to treat fibromyalgia, and according to a 2019 review, it may be more effective for short- and long-term pain relief. But researchers need to conduct larger studies to confirm the full effectiveness of this treatment.

Tai Chi: Tai Chi is another ancient Chinese practice. It slowly and gently moves the body into different positions and has shown the ability to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms.

Trusted Source: A 2018 study followed 226 fibromyalgia patients for 52 weeks and found that practicing tai chi provided equal or better fibromyalgia relief than exercise.

Stress management: Fibromyalgia is a stress-related disorder, meaning that when stress hormones such as cortisol increase, symptoms worsen. A 2019 study found that stress management classes can reduce pain in women with fibromyalgia.

According to this study, counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce inflammation and pain.

People with fibromyalgia often have a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and people with PTSD may have more severe depression and should be diagnosed and treated.

Reference https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354785

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315393

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https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

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