Naturopathic Treatments For Fibromyalgia

So you’re waking up exhausted, despite sleeping a long, deep sleep.

Your body aches all over, and you’re not sure why.

You’re anxious, depressed, and you just can’t concentrate.

Your digestion seems off.

You might have fibromyalgia.

While it can be difficult and frustrating to deal with, there are naturopathic solutions for fibromyalgia which may help.

Read on to find out more.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects the soft tissues of the body as well as other body systems.

This disorder may cause tenderness, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and mental distress.

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are widespread and can seriously impact the quality of life for those who have it.

RELATED: Naturopathic Solutions For Chronic Stress And Burnout

Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia has a variety of different symptoms which can vary from case to case.

The most common symptoms are chronic pain, tenderness, and fatigue spread throughout your body.

Otherwise, you might experience:

• Morning stiffness
• Insomnia
• Chronic fatigue
• A low pain threshold
• Chronic headaches
• Digestive issues
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues

RELATED: Can Acupuncture Help You With Chronic Fatigue?

Specific parts of the body that can be affected by fibromyalgia are the neck, shoulders, arms, back, hips, and legs.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but we do have some theories about its origins.

It’s theorized that fibromyalgia could be a response to problems with central pain processing in the brain.

It could be triggered by traumatic events in your life, repetitive injuries, autoimmune diseases, or central nervous system problems.

Fibromyalgia may also be hereditary.

If your close relatives had it, you may be at greater risk.

Finally, it affects more women than men.

Recent studies are getting closer to discovering aspects of the condition that can help create better diagnostic tools, and eventually better treatment options.

Naturopathic Solutions For Fibromyalgia

In the meantime, while there is currently no known cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments available to help ease the discomfort caused by this condition.

A balanced approach, consisting of conventional and complementary treatments, can best help patients with fibromyalgia.

Naturopathic solutions can be used in conjunction with medications, exercise, and physical therapy to treat fibromyalgia.

Seeing a naturopathic doctor will allow for holistic care and a systematic approach to your treatment.

Your naturopath will be your guide as you figure out which treatment options best suit you.

The world of fibromyalgia can be very complicated, but remember, you are not alone.

Read on to see some of the naturopathic solutions for fibromyalgia currently available.

1. Vitamin D

A 2017 study on vitamin D and fibromyalgia found a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and fibromyalgia.

The study states that lower levels of vitamin D can contribute to fatigue and widespread body pain.

While taking a vitamin D supplement may help ease some fibromyalgia symptoms, it’s important to consult with a professional before you begin taking any.

There can be harmful interactions between supplements and medications.

Book an appointment with me – I can recommend the best, and safest, supplement for you.

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used as a pain management procedure.

A study in The Journal of Pain Management found that acupuncture can be effective in treating pain associated with fibromyalgia.

It can be a safe and helpful tool to improve the quality of life for some fibromyalgia patients.

And because acupuncture comes with fewer side effects when compared with pharmaceutical painkillers, some find it to be a better option.

3. Address Nutrient Deficiencies

Two studies, published in 2011 and 2018, looked at the correlation between nutrient deficiencies and fibromyalgia.

In particular, they examine the role of magnesium levels and the body’s ability to manage pain.

Magnesium has long been thought to have analgesic effects in patients who experience chronic pain.

These studies found that some women suffering from fibromyalgia have lower levels of magnesium than those who do not suffer from fibromyalgia.

Both studies suggest that addressing magnesium deficiencies could help alleviate some of the pain felt by fibromyalgia patients.

While more extensive research is needed to definitively state that magnesium supplements can relieve fibromyalgia pain, the results of the studies are promising.

As with any supplement, it’s important to make sure that adding it to your treatment plan is the healthiest, and safest, decision for you.

4. Increase Your Intake Of Antioxidants

The jury is still out on whether or not increasing antioxidant intake can decrease the pain associated with fibromyalgia.

A 2005 study found that antioxidant levels differ in patients who have fibromyalgia.

As a result, including more antioxidants in your diet may help manage your condition.

The good news is there are plenty of different antioxidants you can get in your diet, including:

• Melatonin
• Polyphenols
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric
• Beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A
• Glutathione
• Quercetin
• Coenzyme Q10
• And more

Melatonin in particular is also known as a natural sleep aid, which can be a challenge if you have fibromyalgia.

More research needs to be done to see how increasing your intake of antioxidants can affect the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

However, eating more foods high in antioxidants has plenty of health benefits on its own.

5. Optimizing Your Sleep

For those who are dealing with from fibromyalgia, a good night’s rest can make a big difference in their daytime comfort levels.

Researchers have specifically examined the relationship between a poor sleep and the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Results show that not sleeping well can exacerbate fatigue and pain felt by fibromyalgia patients.

You can optimize your sleep naturally by:

• Establishing a sleep routine where you wake up and go to bed at the same time every day
• Eliminating screen time before bed
• Avoiding long naps during the day
• Limiting the amount of light and noise exposure before you go to bed
• Eating smaller amounts close to bed time
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed
• Taking melatonin

Book Your Appointment With Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, Today

Have you been diagnosed with fibromyalgia?

Or, having read the above symptoms, did you think “hey, that’s me”?

If so, I can help.

Book an appointment with me today.

We’ll talk about your health goals and current symptoms, and I’ll do a naturopathic assessment to uncover the root cause of your health concerns.

From there, we can build you a treatment plan designed to help you manage your symptoms related to fibromyalgia, or any other health condition you may have.

Book your appointment with me, Dr. Sheila Dyer, ND, today.