A chronic medical condition, fibromyalgia is more common in women than men, and causes a great deal of pain. Treat the condition with these home remedies for fibromyalgia.
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Fibromyalgia is also called fibrositis and fibromyositis. It can be caused by a number of things, like genetics, hormonal imbalances, spinal cord trauma, trauma to the brain, viral infections, unhealthy sleep pattern, stress, rheumatic diseases, surgery and poor physical conditioning. These are possible causes; the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. A number of emotional as well as physical stressors can trigger fibromyalgia.
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The symptoms of fibromyalgia are,
- Debilitating muscle pain
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Sensitivity to noise, odors
- Bright lights, medications
- Certain foods and cold;
- Stiff joints
- Fatigue
You are also likely to have migraines, intense headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ or temporomandibular disorders, sleep disorders, depression and also anxiety and panic attacks.
Since there is no definitive cause of fibromyalgia, there is also no particular cure. To treat it, you need to begin by treating the symptoms one by one. You need to consult a doctor for proper consultation and prescription of medicines. Along with the medicines you can try these natural remedies for a speedy recovery.
Home remedies for fibromyalgia
Here are the top 10 natural treatments to cure the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
1. Yoga and Meditation
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The first remedy on our list today is yoga and meditation. Practices of yoga, both physical and mental, help in taking care of fibromyalgia symptoms.
In 2010, the Oregon Health & Science University conducted a study that showed that yoga and meditation help treat pain, stiffness, poor memory, anxiety, poor balance, improper sleep, fatigue, and depression, all of which are symptoms of chronic fibromyalgia.
Another study, conducted in 2011 at the York University concluded that if women perform hatha yoga for about 75 minutes (divided into two classes a week, for two months), there is an increase in their cortisol levels, which helps get rid of the pain and lack of concentration linked to fibromyalgia. This is because people with fibromyalgia have a lower level of cortisol in their body which causes the imbalances.
For the remedy, you need to practice yoga for 30 minutes every single day. Make it a routine, and stick to it religiously. You can also join a tai chi class. Perform mindful yoga practices for half an hour every day. You can also try different relaxation techniques, such as, progressive muscle relaxation and/or guided imagery, to relax your body and mind.
2. Exercise
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The next remedy on our list is exercise. This isn’t an instant thing, and so you need to develop a routine of exercising every day, and then stick to it. The symptoms associated with fibromyalgia can be effectively treated with exercise because by working out your trigger a positive emotional state, which in turn, reduces your stress levels. Also, exercise prevents muscle wasting, thus restoring the neurochemical balance of the body. It enhances the production of endorphins, which fight pain.
If you are a beginner, then you can start with low-impact exercises. You should do them or 20 minutes, 3 times a week. Then slowly increase the intensity and duration of the workout. You can go for walks, you can try seated exercises, you can go for strength—building workouts, try out exercises that help improve flexibility and balance. You can also try water aerobics, if you find that fun.
Range-of-motion, strength-building and aerobic conditioning trainings are safe and effective for most patients with fibromyalgia.
3. Epsom Salt
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Another superb remedy for fibromyalgia is Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate. Drawing yourself a bath with Epsom salt can lend your body the necessary magnesium, which is deficient in people suffering from fibromyalgia. This bath will also soothe your muscles, and cause relaxation, thus inducing, sleep.
For the remedy, add 2 full cups of Epsom salt in your bath water. Make sure the water is soothingly warm. Now soak yourself in this water for at least 30 minutes.
You need to repeat this remedy two times a week for at least two months.
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4. Massage
A very effective remedy of fibromyalgia is massage therapy. This is because the therapy helps soothe the muscles and enhance the motion in your joints, which otherwise might feel stiff. Also, massage done by a proper therapist will help relieve the stress built up in the body and the mind, and stimulate hormones that will act as natural painkillers.
MLDT or Manual Lymph Drainage Therapy is a type of massage therapy that is particularly beneficial for fibromyalgia as it loosens up the lymph nodes, thus lowering the pain.
You need to make sure that you get your massage done by an expert therapist, one who has experience with your medical condition of fibromyalgia.
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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The inflammation and neuropathic pain associated with fibromyalgia can be treated with omega-3 fatty acid supplements. These unsaturated fats will also help you treat the pain and stiffness.
For the remedy, you can take about 3 teaspoons of fish oil every day. If you are a non-vegetarian, then you can try eating fatty fishes such as anchovies, sardine, wild salmon, tuna or salmon at least twice a week. For vegetarians, good omega-3 fatty acid substitutes are walnuts canola oil and soybean oil.
If you are taking blood thinning medications, then these fatty acids will interfere with your medications.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
The pH levels of the body can be balanced with apple cider vinegar, which is also a great remedy for oxidative stress and lack of blood circulation. The other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia such as gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, swelling inflammation, stiff joints, and headaches can also be cured with apple cider vinegar.
For the remedy, you need to first dilute the apple cider vinegar by adding 3 teaspoons of it to a glass of water. If you want, then you can add a teaspoon of honey for taste. You should drink this solution two times every day for the desired results.
For people who are not used to taking apple cider vinegar, begin with a very light dosage of one teaspoon. You can slowly increase the dosage over time.
7. Turmeric
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Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound which makes it anti-inflammatory and a good pain killer. As such, it helps treat fibromyalgia that is associated with rheumatic disease. Turmeric also helps get rid of the stiffness in the joints.
For the remedy, you need to add a teaspoon of ground turmeric to a cup of milk. Now bring this to boil, and allow it to cool. Drink the turmeric milk two times a day for a speedy recovery.
8. Ginger
The next remedy, ginger, is both anti-inflammatory as well as a natural painkiller. It helps treat fibromyalgia, by treating the symptoms associated with it.
For the remedy, you need to grate some ginger, and add a teaspoon of it to a cup of boiling water. Now let the tea simmer for 10 minutes of so, after which, you need to strain it in a cup. Drink this tea thrice, through the day to treat your fibromyalgia.
You can also take ginger tablets. For the proper dosage, consult your doctor or primary health care provider.
9. Cayenne Pepper
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The last remedy on today’s list of natural treatments for fibromyalgia is cayenne pepper. It contains capsaicin, a compound that works as an effective natural pain killer. The pepper also helps improve the circulation of blood through the body.
For the remedy, you can take cayenne pepper capsules or extracts. You should consult your doctor or primary health care provider for the correct dosage. You can also introduce the pepper in your daily cooking.
You should, however, not apply the pepper or even cayenne pepper creams on inflamed skin as it can worsen the burning sensation.
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Additional tips for fibromyalgia
Here are some extra tips that will help treat as well as prevent the condition in the future.
- Sleep is key if you want to recover fast. Stick to a proper sleep routine, and make sure you get the necessary hours of rest.
- The diet you take has to be balanced and healthy. So develop a good diet for yourself.
- You need to skip food that you are sensitive to. If you don’t know which foods make you unwell, then you need to test different food for sensitivities. Then, avoid the food allergens.
- Since sleep is more important than usual, in your case, you need to dodge caffeinated drinks. These drinks will disrupt your sleep pattern. They will also add to your anxiety symptoms, and might cause restlessness.
- After consulting with your health care provider or doctor, take a 30-mg magnesium supplement every day.
That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for fibromyalgia. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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