Summary
Fibromyalgia, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a poorly understood disease that can manifest in a variety of ways and has many symptoms, making precise diagnosis difficult. Also like CFS, the onset of fibromyalgia, which is sometimes called fibrosis, usually follows contact with infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, as well as/or even viruses, or even after times of trauma. The main difference between CFS and fibromyalgia is that the dominating symptom of CFS is exhaustion, while in fibromyalgia it is persistent muscle discomfort throughout the entire body. As a whole, conventional medicine has limited achievement in treating fibromyalgia syndrome, and in many cases traditional physicians neglect to detect it altogether, even though it is now recognized that as many as 6 million People in the United States are affected by it, the vast majority of whom are women and primarily between the ages of 34-56. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can be so severe that approximately one out of every four individuals who suffer from it is unable to go to work.
In 1990, the American University of Rheumatology created the official diagnostic requirements for fibromyalgia syndrome, which mentioned that for any diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome to be provided, a patient should first exhibit pain for at least three months within the majority of the following muscle sites: Back part of the skull on either side, the lower vertebrae of the neck (Handset-C7), the upper back (trapezius), the shoulder blades, the second rib, the femur (top of the thigh bone), the buttocks, and the knees.
Although often considered a new type of health condition, fibromyalgia was in fact first written about in 1816, and received official medical confirmation as being a separate as well as distinct disease in 1904. It was not really until 1987, however, that the American Medical Association recognized it as a crippling disorder. Even today, however, many conventional physicians fail to realize that fibromyalgia is not due to actual inactivity, which could cause muscles to wither up and deteriorate, but most generally occurs in highly physically energetic people. Additionally, many traditional doctors misdiagnose fibromyalgia sufferers, telling them that they’re suffering from psychological conditions, for example depression, and that their symptoms are “all in their head.” By contrast, practitioners of alternative treatment take fibromyalgia syndrome very critically, and employ comprehensive remedy programs specifically tailored to the needs of each of their patients in order to most successfully address fibromyalgia’s many fundamental causes.
Types of Fibromyalgia
There are two classes associated with fibromyalgia: Main fibromyalgia, which occurs with regard to no recognized reason; and post-traumatic fibromyalgia syndrome, which usually occurs due to trauma, for example back strain, a fall, or even whiplash. Each types of fibromyalgia typically displays the same range of symptoms.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia syndrome is muscle pain throughout the body that can often be serious, sometimes to the point of debilitation. Typically, the pain happens due to tightening up and thickening in the thin tissue, known as myofascia, that support your body`s muscles. Fibromyalgia pain is not limited to the muscle tissue alone, however. It can also affect the joints and display itself as head ache and carpal tunnel. The body parts most suffering from fibromyalgia pain include the spine, hips, knees, neck, and rib cage, all of which may become even more painful when touched.
Like CFS, fibromyalgia is usually associated with several other signs and symptoms, as well. These most commonly include allergies, anxiety and depressive disorders, generalized body stiffness, dizziness, fatigue, intestinal disorders (including irritable bowel disease), insomnia and other sleep issues, and irritability and moodiness. Other signs and symptoms can range from dry and/or watery eyes and increased sensitivity to cold, smells, and sounds and the sensation of numbness or even tingling in your body and an obvious intolerance to exercise and physical activity. In women, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) can also be part of fibromyalgia affliction.
Causes of Fibromyalgia syndrome
There is not one specific cause for primary fibromyalgia. Certain common features among fibromyalgia patients provide a better concept as to the main factors which are involved in its onset, however. These include tooth amalgam fillings, hormone imbalances, infection, neurotransmitter imbalances, sleep issues, problems with the thalamus gland, and physical trauma. Additional factors that are likely involved include chemical and meal allergies and sensitivities, chronic stress, and dysfunctions in muscle metabolism. Breast implants may also contribute to fibromyalgia because the materials implants include weaken the body`s immune system.
Dental Amalgam Fillings: Amalgam teeth fillings are composed of 50% mercury, a highly poisonous compound. Numerous scientific investigations, primarily carried out in European countries, where many countries have banned the use of mercury amalgams, proves that this kind of filling significantly increases the likelihood of heavy metal poisoning in the body`s glands and tissues because mercury vapors escape the fillings every day and spread throughout the body. Once in the body, mercury can cause an array of health problems, including fibromyalgia. If you have dental amalgams, consider getting them replaced by a holistic (natural) dentist trained in their elimination.
Hormone Imbalances: Many people with fibromyalgia also exhibit reduced levels of human growth hormone (HGH) as well as cortisol. Human growth hormone, which is produced by the brain`s pituitary gland, is important for an array of health issues, such as the health of the muscles. Even though your body`s production of HGH started to decline at roughly 14% every 10 years after age 20, individuals with fibromyalgia can also be experiencing unbalanced daily manufacture of HGH, that primarily occurs during the first hours of sleep.
Cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands, is sometimes referred to as the stress hormone because it is during times of tension that it is most frequently released. During times associated with chronic stress, excessive amounts of cortisol could be produced by the adrenal glands, leaving all of them exhausted and unable to sufficiently regulate your body`s energy supply. Cortisol imbalances may eventually trigger chronic fatigue, muscle discomfort and tightness, immune problems, and sleep disorders, as well as diminish HGH production. All of these symptoms are also normal for fibromyalgia, along with research showing the correlation between imbalanced cortisol and fibromyalgia syndrome.
Infections: Many cases associated with fibromyalgia occur after bacterial infections caused by dangerous microorganisms. Two kinds of viruses that are often related to fibromyalgia are influenza type A, which primarily affects the autonomic nervous system and the lungs, as well as hepatitis D. Other infectious agents include bacteria, yeast infections, (Candida albicans, which causes candidiasis), parasites, and bacterial infections caused by abscessed teeth and gastritis.
Sleep Disorders: People who suffer from fibromyalgia often exhibit abnormal brain wave patterns during the deepest sleep stage associated with dreamless (non-REM) sleep. This particular stage of sleep is important for proper repair of the body`s tissue, as well as the manufacture of antibodies to safeguard against an infection. The inability to enter this deep, restful sleep stage is considered one of the most significant contributing elements of fibromyalgia.
Thalamus Complications: People with fibromyalgia syndrome also often suffer from imbalanced functioning of the thalamus gland. Found in the brain, the thalamus gland regulates and integrates how your body faculties internal and external stimulants. When this doesn`t perform properly, this can result in regular feedback signals from the entire body to the mind to be falsely interpreted as pain.
Optional Professional Tests for Fibromyalgia syndrome
Practitioners of alternative medicine depend on both traditional and nonconventional diagnostic assessments when treating fibromyalgia patients, to ensure they are able to determine all of the causative factors involved with its beginning. Conventional tests include blood, stool, as well as urine assessments, stress assessments and testing of the thyroid gland. Additionally, they will usually employ assessments to determine their own patients dietary profile, checking for imbalances and deficiencies, hair analysis, DMSA challenge test, practical liver detoxification profile, and other tests, in order to assess the toxicity of the body`s glands, and tissues; as well as stress and hormone tests, to determine overall functioning of the endocrine system and possible hormonal imbalances.
Two additional nonconventional assessments that are frequently used are darkfield bloodstream analysis and electrodermal screening (EDS), each of which are capable of exposing health issues that other diagnostic tests can miss. Darkfield microscopy involves the use of a darkfield microscope. In contrast to traditional microscopes, a darkfield microscope is specially adapted to be able to examine live blood cells that are then amplified onto a video screen. This enables physicians who have been trained in this analysis technique to detect evidence of illness via distortions in the walls of the blood cells, and also to spot harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, fungus, and viruses in the bloodstream, where they don’t belong. Such microorganisms are commonly in the bloodstream of fibromyalgia sufferers.
Electrodermal testing is a noninvasive diagnostic technique that measures the electrical output of specific points on the fingers, face, or even feet which correlate to acupuncture meridian points on energy meridians. The electrical signals given off from these points provide details about the health of the body`s organs and organ systems, and may also be used to detect the presence of poisons, energy and hormonal imbalances, and harmful microorganisms. At the disposal of a highly skilled EDS practitioner, EDS can detect concealed contributing factors for fibromyalgia, even when other sophisticated testing methods fall short to do so due to the fact that both health and illness are first and foremost the results of balanced or imbalanced health and energy.
Natural Remedies
Conventional physicians treat fibromyalgia syndrome primarily through the use of painkiller drugs. Such an approach fails to address the multiple causes of fibromyalgia, and also carries the risk of serious side effects. In addition, this particular symptom is actually typical of conventional medicine`s failure to properly realize chronic health problems such as fibromyalgia, which explains why this so often fails to successfully heal such conditions. Practitioners of alternative medicine, on the other hand, focus their treatment methods on the causative factors involved with fibromyalgia in order to eliminate them, while simultaneously stimulating the body`s ability to repair itself. What follows is an overview of the most common treatments they utilize in order to achieve individuals goals.
Traditional Chinese medicine: Acupuncture can significantly reduce the pain related to fibromyalgia due to the ability to increase blood flow into the affected joints and muscle tissue. This, in turn, provides the essential joints and muscle tissue with a higher level of oxygen and nutrients. Acupuncture also helps to control the brain`s production of neurotransmitters, helping to decrease pain associated with fibromyalgia while concurrently stabilizing serotonin levels to help reduce symptoms.
Aromatherapy: To soothe acute muscle pain, massage the impacted areas with the essential oils of black pepper, birch, or even ginger. To help ease fatigue, clary sage, lavender, marjoram, and rosemary can all be helpful.
Bodywork: Bodywork is another excellent therapeutic approach for dealing with fibromyalgia due to the ability to relieve persistent muscle pressure that so frequently accompanies fibromyalgia. Bodywork additionally improves blood circulation throughout the body, causing important joints, muscles, and their surrounding tissues to eliminate stored cellular wastes that can worsen discomfort. Other benefits of bodywork consist of improved nerve function, restoration of muscle balance (tight muscles tend to be either reduced or stretched too long) and function, and the shutting off of pain triggers which keep the body in a constant state of heightened sensitivity or discomfort, as well as other exterior stimuli, such as cold, light, and sound.
Among the most beneficial types of bodywork for fibromyalgia syndrome are Heavy Tissue Massage, Lymphatic Therapeutic massage, Acupressure, Bowen Therapy, Feldenkrais, myotherapy, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Healing Touch, and Trigger Stage Therapy.
Diet plan: Proper diet is essential for effectively dealing with fibromyalgia. This means consuming only foods that help your immune system, and avoiding all meals that tax your energy and impair healthy digestion. Consider adopting an organic, vegetarian diet plan, which scientific study has shown can help improve fibromyalgia syndrome symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, body stiffness, and sleeping problems. Emphasize fresh, natural vegetables and fruits, consuming a large daily serving of dark leafy greens, and select servings of healthy vegetable proteins such as natural, free-range eggs, small amounts of uncooked dairy products, tempeh, tofu, beans, quinoa and wild caught fish which are low in mercury. Avoid just about all farm-raised fish, as they are high in antibiotics and chemical dyes, and avoid seafood, which have a greater concentration of mercury as well as toxins. For sustained energy, also include complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, legumes, red potatoes, squash, and yams. Restrict your overall carb intake to 30% of your total diet. This means increasing your vegetables and protein if necessary to balance out the complex carbohydrates. Additionally, be sure to eat adequate amounts of essential fatty acids alternating in between fish oil, evening primrose oil and healthy free flowing oils such as extra virgin olive oil, high lignin flaxseed, and avocado butter/oil. Furthermore, drink at least half an ounce of fresh, filtered drinking water for every pound you weigh.
Avoid all foods to which you are hypersensitive or allergic. Common allergy-causing foods include milk, dairy products, chocolate, corn, and wheat and wheat items. In addition, get rid of all junk and commercially processed meals, sodas, commercially prepared juices, all sugar and simple refined carbohydrates, and minimize your intake of alcohol as well as caffeine. If you also suffer from candidiasis, follow the dietary suggestions for infections, including staying away from all fruit, except fruits, green celery and grapefruit.
Energy Treatments: Energy treatments involve utilizing or revitalizing the body in order to heal by interacting with the bioenergy field that encompasses all living matter. Power medicine has two basic categories: Energetic therapies such as Reiki, Recovery Touch, and Therapeutic Touch, all significantly enhance fibromyalgia pain symptoms, and can be used by sufferers as a type of self-care, in addition to being provided by professional energy healers.
The second category of energy medicine entails a number of energy devices that emit energetic frequencies capable of stimulating recovery and pain relief, which can be very helpful for fibromyalgia syndrome. One of the most well-known of these devices is the Hundreds Unit, which affects Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and was developed through pioneering holistic physician and researcher D. Norman Shealy. The Hundreds Unit is a small, transportable device which transmits varying electrical wavelengths to areas of pain by way of electrodes that are attached to your body. Not only do Hundred Units help to alleviate discomfort, they are also capable of blocking pain signals and may also stimulate endorphin production, enhancing feelings of general well-being. Additionally, Hundreds Models can be used as a form of personal-care by patients once they are taught how to use them, making them particularly convenient for those who have fibromyalgia.
For more information regarding a holistic approach to fibromyalgia, please see Alternative Therapies.