I have fibromyalgia, what can i do for pain?

Fibromyalgia is condition in which the muscles and connective tissues of the body hurt chronically and especially hard whenever they experience pressure. The patient feels a dull pain all through the day, mostly behind the head, between the shoulder blades and on the shoulders, in the upper hips and the inner thighs. Other symptoms include general exhaustion, stiff joints, disturbed sleep and tender, tingly spots on the body. Secondary symptoms like frequent headaches, bowel and bladder disorders and difficulty in swallowing are also experienced by some patients. The exact cause of this disease is not known, though it is believed that accidents and emotional shocks and trauma might sometimes trigger this condition. Hormonal imbalances also affect the functioning of nerves and are therefore supposed to be one of the possible causes behind this disease. Sleep disorders and mental stress are also known to predispose a person to fibromyalgia. It has also been observed that women are more susceptible to fibromyalgia than men.

Since the exact cause behind fibromyalgia is not known, treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on the nature and intensity of the symptoms. You must consult a professional medical practitioner in order to determine the exact form of medication that might be suitable for you. Generally, a course of analgesics and antidepressants is prescribed to treat this condition. Sometimes, aromatherapy and acupressure are also recommended for faster relief from pain. Besides, as a general rule, one must exercise regularly to keep oneself in good physical shape. This goes a long way in lessening body aches and joint pains. Regular exercises like walking or swimming also ensure sound sleep and thereby prevent exhaustion. Under the supervision of a professional trainer, do a few mild stretching exercises that might help make your muscles, tendon and ligaments more flexible and less sore. Body massages are also known to bring relief to chronic pain. Application of hot compresses on the affected areas also helps reduce pain and stiffness. Relaxation techniques such as yoga are also known to be of help as they relieve physical and mental stress and lessen the sensation of fatigue. It is also necessary that you do not overwork yourself, since this can worsen the condition. Do not bring home work from office, and strictly set aside some time for yourself during which you pursue a hobby that you find most relaxing – listening to music, reading, gardening, and so on. Restrict your intake of caffeine based foods and beverages.

answered by G M

The pain associated with fibromyalgia can be difficult to manage, as there is no general cure. Though, one of the ways to improve the condition would be by changing your lifestyle. A regular exercise routine combined with stretching is an important and relieving factor for those suffering from fibromyalgia. Exercising regularly helps maintain muscle tone and reduces the pain and stiffness caused by this condition. It further helps by increasing the blood flow throughout the body and can also help normalize sleep patterns and reduce the amount of time it takes for your body to recover from an injury. For effective results, eating right is also very important; you should try and combine exercising along with a low carb and high protein diet. Avoiding certain kinds of food like excess intake of junk and sweet foods would also be beneficial. Strong diets have also proven to help ease the pain of some patients. Mix 1-2 tablespoon of garlic or garlic powder with your lunch and dinner everyday, this could relieve you of the pain and create a soothing effect. Additionally ginger tea could also help calm your aching muscles. It is easy to prepare and can be consumed twice everyday. Boil a glass of water and mix 1 teaspoon of grated ginger root, leave them to mix for about 8-10 min and then strain the mixture before drinking. If the taste of ginger is too strong for you, you can add a little bit of honey. Another method to ease the pain is using Turmeric. Turmeric is used for treating several diseases. Drinking water mixed with 1 or 2 teaspoons of turmeric can help you ease the pain in the long run. If you consume 2-3 glasses of turmeric water a day, you will surely experience relief from your muscular pain.

Since stress is also known to act as a catalyst of fibromyalgia, stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation should also be applied in order to minimize the pain. It might not be the ultimate cure for the pain, but it surely helps in reducing it. Another well-known practice used for treating fibromyalgia is the deep tissue massage. The point of this massage is to stimulate the blood flow in the muscles and joints that are in pain. The effect is similar to that of a heating pad. Many people prefer the massage to the heating pad as its effect last longer.

answered by S D

I have fibromyalgia, and the best thing I have found for the pain, is for one thing to keep moving, exercise is wonderful for it, and Omega-3. It's wonderful. Try it, you'll love it too.

answered by S