Fibromyalgia is a peculiar chronic musculoskeletal disorder with indications of extensive and enduring muscle and soft tissue pain and swelling, exhaustion, and soreness in the neck, shoulders and hips. The name fibromyalgia comes from "fibro" meaning fibrous tissue (such as tendons and ligaments), "my" meaning muscles and "algia" meaning pain. The magnitude and ineffectiveness of conventional medicines has made the fibromyalgia patients turn to alternative therapies, which provide drug free doctoring, to relieve the pain.
Chronic fatigue is often present in the more acute cases of fibromyalgia. Sedatives, muscle relaxers, pain relievers, anti-depressants, anti-convulsants and reuptake inhibitors have all been a part of conventional medical prescriptions used over the years to alleviate pain. Patients have reported taking as many as ten medicines at a time to take the edge of the ache, but have had no positive consequences.
Nevertheless, patients adopting alternative treatments have testified optimistically. These holistic therapies in point of fact work well because they have a comprehensive bearing. Some alternative therapies for fibromyalgia are elucidated ahead.
ACUPUNCTURE - is a Chinese medical system based on reinstating the customary equilibrium of life forces by inserting very fine needles through the skin to different depths which cause changes in the blood flow.
ELECRO ACUPUNCTURE – is another way of stimulating the acupuncture points using needles hooked to small wires which are in turn connected to slight electrical currents.
LASER ACUPUNCTURE – is another derivative of electro acupuncture, wherein laser beams are used at the same acupuncture points.
ACCUPRESSURE – is a similar Chinese medical practice that uses finger pressure on the skin rather than needles.
CUPPING THERAPY - is another Chinese medical practice which cures by stimulating the body’s natural energy called ‘qi’. The air inside a cup is heated and this cup is placed on the skin. The ensuing vacuum pulls the skin into the cup, thus rousing the ‘qi’.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE – is based on the philosophy that misalignment of the spinal cord causes pain. Chiropractors forcibly manipulate the vertebra from different angles with an aim to reinstate the spinal movement, thereby reducing pain.
MASSAGE – is one of the oldest methods of mitigating pain. Body muscles and soft tissues are stroked and kneaded with oil with the objective of increasing the metabolism and blood circulation; in consequence reducing pain and improving mobility.
BIOFEEDBACK – is a mind body therapy which helps to find the real cause of pain by using sensors connected between your body and a machine. Pain is eliminated by trying to overcome these causes.
HOMEOPATHY – is a complementary system of medicine which stimulates the body to ward off pain using small doses of medicine.
HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS – which are taken directly or in liquids like tea and soup are also used to lower pain and chronic fatigue.
MEDITATION AND PRAYER – “More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of.” Using this belief, meditation and prayers have been used to decrease pain by giving support to the spiritual dimension of life. Mind is stronger than the body. Believe it or not, these alternative therapies have reported varying degrees of improvement.
YOGA – the oldest form of Indian ‘sadhna’ has also accomplished a lot in alleviating pain using its various ‘aasnas’ as apart of natural and alternate therapy for fibromyalgia.
AROMATHERAPY - Aromatherapy recommends cold compresses or steam inhalation of Lavender oil to relieve headaches. A bath or massage with sage oil can relieve muscle aches.
REFLEXOLOGY - works to heal those parts of the body, which cannot be touched from the outside by manipulating pressure points that match up to other places and organs.
CHELATION THERAPY - is based on the concept that when an amino acid complex known as EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) comes into contact with positively charged metals, it binds these toxins and excretes them from the body. Fibromyalgia is aggravated by heavy metal toxicity and chelation therapy can help eliminate built-up ionic substances such as lead, iron, plutonium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and manganese.
TRIGGER POINT THERAPY - Trigger point therapy or myotherapy is a touch therapy that is used to eliminate trigger points. Trigger points are areas of extreme sensitivity on the body. When touched, these trigger points can cause pain, restrict motion, and increase muscle stiffness. If they are purged, fibromyalgia pain eases.
HYPNOSIS - Hypnosis is a non-invasive technique that helps to achieve heightened levels of focus and sensation. Hypnosis is very effective in fibromyalgia patients because of its physical action on the brain.
LIGHT THERAPY – helps to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms by triggering hormone release using light beams of varied frequencies.
LOW FREQUENCY SOUND THERAPY – works on the premise that low frequency sound actually has healing properties; when these infrasonic waves are run over the body they diminish fibromyalgia pain.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - Craniosacral therapy is an alternative treatment technique, quite similar to osteopathy. Craniosacral therapy uses placid palpations on the skin in order to reinstate health and reduce pain.
ENVIRONMENTAL THERAPY - It helps to treat fibromyalgia by controlling the environmental factors such as chemicals, pesticides, drugs, car exhaust, tobacco smoke, as well as food allergens; all of which aggravate fibromyalgia.
REIKI – promotes holistic healing thereby easing fibromyalgia pain.
WATSU THERAPY – is a form of hydrotherapydefine based on the principle of the connection between mind, body and breath as well as the use of stretch in order to stimulate positive energy (Chi) flow in the body. Watsu helps to diminish wide spread pain, muscle twitching and weakness while promoting relaxation.
MAGNET THERAPY – helps to treat fibromyalgia pain by using the energy and electrical currents of magnets in order to promote overall physical and mental healing through the stimulation of body cells. Some magnetic devices such as magnetic mattresses, pillows and jewellery are also used for everyday living therapy.
HYDROTHERAPY - is based on the therapeutic use of hot and cold water and helps to bring the relief needed from fibromyalgia pain.
QUIGONG THERAPY - heals the body and centers the mind, using exercise and meditation, thus eliminating pain.
DANCE THERAPY - uses therapeutic movements, in order to relieve widespread pain, anxiety and hurt.
HUMOUR THERAPY- uses the strength of laughter to assuage the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
PETdefine THERAPY - Animal lovers can use pet therapy as a good option for easing fibromyalgia pain. Through their unconditional love, pets encourage the patients to be more active. On the whole, fibromyalgia patients have found pets to give them a sense of security and independence.
EMU OIL THERAPY - is another alternative treatment for fibromyalgia that can help to bring pain relief and can also supplement medicinal therapy.
OSTEOPATHY – is a more complex form CAM which incorporates physical, medicinal and surgical forms of diagnosis to treat the body of pain naturally. Patients need the help of an osteopath to help them with this therapy.
PHYSICAL THERAPY - Light aerobic exercises such as swimming or walking are good stress reducers, and are a part of physical therapy to do away with the subject pain.
S-ADENOSLYMETHIONINE (SAM-e) THERAPY –is a natural supplement which helps relieve pain. It is safe but expensive and has a tendency to react with other drugs that a person might be taking.
RELAXATION THERAPY – helps to reduce anxiety, depressiondefine and insomnia all of which are fibromyalgia symptoms by providing a person with physical, emotional and spiritual relaxation.
MUSIC THERAPY – uses music as method of healing.
FLOWER ESSENCES THERAPY - works to decrease stress while promoting relaxation and healing by using specific flower essences like those of red chestnut, olive, cherry plum, mimulus, aspen, rock rose and gentian.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM CLEANSE THERAPY – cleanses the body of toxins, thereby reducing fibromyalgia symptoms.
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