Let's Beat Firomyalgia Together!

Common symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:

Widespread Pain

Stress and Anxiety

Problems with memory and concentration -- known as "fibro fog"

Sadness and Depression

Chronic Fatigue

Migraines or Headaches

Irritable bowel syndrome

Morning stiffness and pain

Painful menstrual cramps

Insomnia/Sleep problems

Swelling, numbness, and tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs

Painful Tender points

What is the most common symptom of Fibromyalgia?

97% of patients with fibromyalgia have chronic widespread pain. The next biggest symptom is fatigue. When your body is chronic widespread pain, you get tired and usually are not sleeping well which adds to the fatigue and the pain.

The pain associated with fibromyalgia, is chronic however, there are times that are worse than others. There are periods of "flare ups" that are much more intense than others. When a "flare up" occurs, the symptoms are intensified so that not only the pain throughout the body intensifies, but so does the fatigue and depression.

If you think that you may have fibromyalgia, ask your physician to refer you to a Rheumatologist who can accurately diagnosis you.

There are actually many different modalities to treating Fibromyalgia pain. Let's first take a look at traditional prescription medications:

Medications prescribed through a rheumalologist may include a variety of drugs depending on your ongoing symptoms.

Medications such as Lyrica, help with chronic overall pain.

Tramadol ER is another chronic pain reliever that helps with the chronic fibromyalgia pain.

Cymbalta is an anti depressant that not only helps with the depression side of this syndrome but also with the chronic pain.

Savella is also an anti depressant that have been found to help with the wide spread pain.

Gabapentin helps with the chronic pain.

Ambien is given for sleeplessness as is flexeril.

other drugs are prescribed for other symptoms including certain drugs for migraines, IBS and more.

The point of the above medications mentioned is to help you realize that although there are many, none of them by themselves help. Usually or as this syndrome progresses and the flare ups become more frequent, others are added or replaced.

All of the above medications have different side affects and therefore can sometimes make some symptoms worse.

In addition to prescription medications, there are many natural and therapeutic treatments to be considered.

Chiropractors have become an amazing beneficial addition to natural chronic pain and healing therapy.

They use many different therapeutic options to help heal the body and decrease pain including spinal adjustments, spinal decompression, ultrasound, laser therapy, rehabilitation and strengthening techniques for better mobility and healing. Along with a various array of soft tissue techniques.

Chinese and herbal medicines are usually incorporated into their therapies to help with pain reduction and healing of injuries.

Chiropractors will use a combination of the above therapies in order to help fibromyalgia pain and other chronic conditions as well as injuries.

They has extensive knowledge of the muscular skeletal system as well as the nervous system and how they work together.

Acupuncture has been used for centuries by Chinese doctors to help their patience with all kinds of chronic and acute illnesses. More and more doctors around the world are taking notice of acupuncture and learning to help their own patients with this old but effective technique.

Not all acupuncturists are good at this treatment. It takes a special hand and knowledge, if one doesn't help you, don't give up, find another acupuncturist.

Acupuncture in the US is performed by acupuncturists who have been trained in chinese medicine and many anesthesiologists have also learned this technique. There are even some insurance companies that will pay for acupuncture treatments as long as they are performed by a US medical doctor like an anesthesiologist.

The process is not as bad as it sounds.

Very thin sterile disposable needles are inserted through the skin at certain points in the body. Sometimes, mild electrical current or heat is used along with the needles.

The needles that are inserted through the skin are thought to open and restore the flow of chi, in Chinese medicine is believed that optimal health is achieved when there is natural flow of the body. The needles are usually left inserted for approximately 20 - 30 minutes per session depending on the condition being treated and the condition of the person being treated.

Depending on the condition being treated, it may take a few sessions per week for a couple to a few weeks to see optimal results.

Again I have to stress that is you do not get the results you are looking for in a certain acupuncturist, don't give up find another one. You'll be amazed that it is very dependent on the persons training and experience in performing this pain relieving treatment.

Acupuncture treatments are very beneficial for many different problems and illnesses and can definitely help with fibromyalgia pain.