Fibromyalgia and Alternative Treatments
Fibromyalgia and Alternative Treatments
From acupuncture to chiropractic, from massage to meditation, alternative treatments are in great demand. That's especially true for people with pain-related illnesses such as fibromyalgia. Alternative medicine, including herbal therapy and homeopathy, is used in place of conventional medicine. These systems are based on the belief that the body has the power to heal itself with multiple techniques, including those that involve the mind, body, and spirit. Complementary medicine can be used in combination with conventional medicine.
Before you try alternative or complementary treatments, talk with your doctor. Check to see what limitations might apply to you. Working with your doctor, you can find an acceptable way to blend conventional medicine with alternative treatments or natural remedies. When you do, you may be able to increase restful sleep and reduce your fibromyalgia pain.
Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia
About 5 million Americans suffer from the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. There is no "pill" to eliminate your symptoms. But there are ways of managing them so they don't disrupt your busy life as much.
Read the Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia article > >
With acupuncture, a practitioner inserts one or more dry needles into the skin and underlying tissues at specific points. Gently twisting or otherwise manipulating the needles causes a measurable release of endorphins into the bloodstream. Endorphins are the body's natural opioids. In addition, according to acupuncture practitioners, energy blocks are removed. Removing them is said to restore the flow of energy along the meridians, which are specific energy channels.
Studies show that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry. It appears to do this by changing the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters stimulate or inhibit nerve impulses in the brain that relay information about external stimuli and sensations such as pain. In this way, the patient's pain tolerance is increased. One acupuncture treatment in some patients may last weeks to help alleviate chronic pain. A recent small study showed decrease pain and increased quality of life for fibromyalgia patients who had acupuncture therapy. More research is needed to see how effective this therapy is for treating fibromyalgia.
Chiropractic care is a very common alternative or complementary treatment for fibromyalgia pain. People use it to treat pain of pressure points, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and pain from musculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractic treatment may be effective for fibromyalgia because it may reduce pain levels and increase cervical and lumbar ranges of motion.
Before you try alternative or complementary treatments, talk with your doctor. Check to see what limitations might apply to you. Working with your doctor, you can find an acceptable way to blend conventional medicine with alternative treatments or natural remedies. When you do, you may be able to increase restful sleep and reduce your fibromyalgia pain.
Recommended Related to Fibromyalgia
Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia
About 5 million Americans suffer from the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. There is no "pill" to eliminate your symptoms. But there are ways of managing them so they don't disrupt your busy life as much.
Read the Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia article > >
Can acupuncture treat fibromyalgia?
With acupuncture, a practitioner inserts one or more dry needles into the skin and underlying tissues at specific points. Gently twisting or otherwise manipulating the needles causes a measurable release of endorphins into the bloodstream. Endorphins are the body's natural opioids. In addition, according to acupuncture practitioners, energy blocks are removed. Removing them is said to restore the flow of energy along the meridians, which are specific energy channels.
Studies show that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry. It appears to do this by changing the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters stimulate or inhibit nerve impulses in the brain that relay information about external stimuli and sensations such as pain. In this way, the patient's pain tolerance is increased. One acupuncture treatment in some patients may last weeks to help alleviate chronic pain. A recent small study showed decrease pain and increased quality of life for fibromyalgia patients who had acupuncture therapy. More research is needed to see how effective this therapy is for treating fibromyalgia.
How can chiropractic care help fibromyalgia?
Chiropractic care is a very common alternative or complementary treatment for fibromyalgia pain. People use it to treat pain of pressure points, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and pain from musculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractic treatment may be effective for fibromyalgia because it may reduce pain levels and increase cervical and lumbar ranges of motion.
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