Fibromyalgia Treatment Overview

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Fibromyalgia. No “Magic Pill” exists and there is no single accepted “Best” treatment approach. While effective Fibromyalgia Treatment is possible, each patient tends to respond to treatment efforts differently. This is very frustrating for both doctors and patients.

Broad Fibromyalgia Treatment Options

Though no cure is available, a large number of Fibromyalgia Treatment options exist. Treatment options vary wildly in effectiveness from individual to individual. What may work very well for one person may not work at all for another. Research suggests that the most effective strategy is likely to be multifaceted involving diet, exercise, drugs, dietary supplements, and various treatment therapies. Both symptoms focused and causal focused treatment approaches should be combined and managed.

Fibromyalgia patients must strive to validate that works best for them as an individual. This typically involves a process of trial and error. Evaluating various treatment options and building an effective  Fibromyalgia Treatment approach can be a complex process, one typically improved through utilizing a team approach. Fibromyalgia patients are well served by a care team made up of doctors, therapists, specialists and a strong support group.

Available Treatments

No single approach works best. The best course of action when considering Fibromyalgia Treatment options is to combine a traditional medical approach with other available remedies. Over time, you can validate what works best to alleviate your pain. A number of lifestyle changes and other treatment methods can have a cumulative positive effect on the pain you experience.

Here is a list of some commonly used treatment options:

  1. Conventional medicines—Your doctor will work with you to discover what prescription medicines may work best for you. Options are many including pain and antidepressant medicines.
  2. Nutrition and diet—Some researchers believe that the foods you eat can affect Fibromyalgia symptoms.
  3. Dietary Supplements—Vitamins and minerals play important roles in health and maintenance of the body.
  4. Exercise—Exercise helps relieve joint stiffness and can help alleviate some of the pain as well. Short workouts have been proven to help many Fibromyalgia patients. Pain may initially increase, but then gradually decreases. Swimming, walking, and biking are excellent forms of exercise.
  5. Physiotherapy—A physiotherapist can help you with stretching and good posture. Stretching will reduce joint and muscle stiffness. This therapist can also help you with relaxation techniques, another powerful Fibromyalgia treatment option.
  6. Tai chi and yoga—These forms of exercise incorporate relaxation and meditation techniques. Deep breathing and slow movement will reduce your stress level and increase your fitness.
  7. Relaxation therapy—Stress aggravates Fibromyalgia. Reducing stress will provide you with a more restful sleep, improving Fibromyalgia symptoms.
  8. Massage therapy—This is another great relaxation technique.
  9. Over-the-counter drugs—You will need to work with your doctor. Always talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter medications you plan to take.
  10. Herbal remedies—Many herbs have medicinal healing powers. Again, you must talk to your doctor when using herbal remedies
  11. Chinese medicine—Consider exploring Chinese medicine which places great emphasis on herbal remedies and incorporates life energy healing techniques.
  12. Homeopathy—Visit a homeopathic specialist. They specialize in natural remedies to illnesses.
  13. Acupuncture—Modern adherents of acupuncture believe that it affects blood flow and the way the brain processes pain signals. Studies have shown this may be effective for Fibromyalgia treatment.
  14. Chiropractic care—Chiropractors specialize in spinal problems, which can be a major source of pain for some people.
  15. Many other choices and options,  explore through the menu to the left.

Building a Customized Fibromyalgia Treatment Program

Through an ongoing process of trial and error, using a mixture of the above treatments (and many others – see the menus to the left),  it is possible to develop a treatment program that can be validated as effective – for the individual patient.

This process is made more effective when the patient embraces the concept of “Self-Management” -  an ongoing process through which the patient recognizes and assumes responsibility for leading their own treatment efforts. An effective self-management process focuses on the collection, analysis and utilization of patient data such that the trial and error process is better empowered to yield tangible results.

Fibromyaliga-treatment.com is home to FibroTrack -  the first “Internet Enhanced Fibromyalgia Self-Management System”.  This interactive web application has been designed from the ground up specifically empower Fibromyalgia patients in building, validating and managing an ongoing effective Fibromyalgia Treatment program.