Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic achy muscular pain that has no obvious physical cause. 

The pain is usually described as a burning, throbbing, shooting and stabbing.  The pain and stiffness is often greater in the morning than at other times of the day and may be accompanied by chronic headaches, strange sensations in the skin, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome and jaw joint pain (TMJ)  

Some people experience pms, painful periods, anxiety, palpitations, memory impairment, irritable bladder, skin sensitivities, sleep disorders and thus chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), malaborption problems, dry eyes and mouth, a need for frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions, dizziness and impaired coordination.  

Lifting and climbing stairs are often very difficult and painful.  The most frequent feature is the existence of certain "tender  points"  nine pairs of specific spots where the muscles are abnormally tender to the touch.  

• Around the lower vertebra of the neck

• At the insertion of the second rib

• Around the upper part of the thigh bone

• In the middle of the knee joint 

• In muscles connected to the base of the skull

• In muscles of the neck and upper back.

• In muscles of the midback

• On the side of the elbows

• In the upper and outer muscles of the buttocks.

The symptoms  come on gradually and increase in intensity. 

The symptoms can be made worse by overexertion, stress, lack of exercise, anxiety, depression, trauma, extremes of temperature, and/or humidity, and infectious diseases. 

Causes:

Sometimes the symptoms clear up on their own, some become chronic and go through cycles of flare-ups alternating with periods of apparent remission. 

There is some evident to the cause being a problem the immune system. 

Treatments: 

The typical treatment strategy offered by medical doctors is some form of pain medication, and perhaps psychotropic drugs like antidepressants. They do not, however,  address the cause of your problem

Sleep: Sleeping well should be first on your list of essential treatment strategies. It’s important to realize that even if you lead a very healthy lifestyle,  if you’re not sleeping properly you will definitely experience negative health consequences, despite all your other efforts. 

Exercise:  Important as you will sleep better, get regular exercise.  Unfortunately and understandably, people suffering from fibromyalgia pain tend to shy away from exercise.  But research shows that a combination of aerobic activity and strength training can actually improve fibromyalgia symptoms.  

You don't want to do exercises that worsen the condition.  If the exercise aggravates your pain within a few hours or the next day, you have done too much and need to back off or switch to something else.    

You will want to strive for a combination of aerobic, anaerobic and sprint type exercises & strength training.   Take into consideration your own tolerances.   For more information on exercise, you to Exercise

Eat Right:  This includes avoiding processed foods, and getting more whole foods both organic and locally grown. 
Certain foods are known to aggravate fibromyalgia symptoms includes.

• Corn

• Wheat

• Dairy

• Citrus

• Soy

• Nuts

Alternative Methods for the pain:

Chiropracitc

Acupuncture

For Joint Pain - we have the Joint Relief Formula

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