When looking for fibromyalgia pain relief, more and more people today are looking for natural ways to manage fibromyalgia pain instead of relying on harmful prescription medication.
The pain caused by fibromyalgia can be debilitating and frustrating – body aches, muscle spasms, joint stiffness, fatigue and other muscular problems.
The cause of fibromyalgia is not known and diagnosing the disease often involves eliminating other health conditions.
With no cure as yet despite extensive ongoing studies, it can be a long-term issue for many people.
Fortunately, fibromyalgia pain relief is possible using a safe, natural approach rather than reaching for the pharmacy or prescription medication.
Many people who have chosen natural ways to manage fibromyalgia pain have found them to be very effective at alleviating the painful symptoms and helping them lead a better quality of life.
These 10 natural ways have been found to be very effective at reducing the intense pain associated with fibromyalgia.
#1 Get More Vitamin D
Many fibromyalgia sufferers have very low levels of vitamin D, which can contribute to the symptoms. Vitamin D is still being fully researched but it is known to have an effect on pain.
If you live somewhere hot and sunny it might be easy to top up on sunshine and Vitamin D by simply stepping outdoors and basking in the sunshine for a few minutes every day.
However, if you live in a country where you just do not get enough sunshine, you may need some help. Taking Vit D supplements can boost levels of vitamin D in your body providing significant fibromyalgia pain relief.
#2 Practice Yoga Regularly
Yoga offers a wide range of benefits to the mind and body. Practicing yoga regularly can have a significant effect on easing fibromyalgia symptoms.
Most yoga positions require you to stretch your whole body, which loosens up the muscles and joints. This improved flexibility helps alleviate painful symptoms related to fibromyalgia.
In addition to pain relief, yoga also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol so you feel more relaxed.
This book is particularly useful if you are new to yoga – Yoga For Beginners: A Quick-Start Guide to Practicing Yoga for New Students. Of course, you must check with your doctor before starting with any type of exercise regimen, including yoga.
#3 Get a Massage
What’s not to like about getting a massage! It leaves you feeling relaxed, re-energized and de-stressed.
More importantly, massages work to soothe painful sensations by promoting relaxation. It is often used as a go-to alternative treatment for a wide range of conditions including fibromyalgia.
When a moderate amount of pressure is applied to key areas, it boosts blood flow to those areas while simultaneously stemming the flow of stress hormones to that part. This increased blood supply combined with the reduced stress hormones work well to decrease pain levels and provide much-needed fibromyalgia pain relief.
Lavender, basil, marjoram and peppermint oils are excellent essential oils for massage. Massage oils that contain a few drops of lavender, basil, marjoram, or peppermint essential oils can provide significant relief to the throbbing pain that is so common with fibromyalgia.
Alternatively, there are several ready-made muscle relief blend. The muscle relief essential oil blend by Prime Natural has been getting great reviews from users and is definitely worth a try.
#4 Apply Moist Heat to the Painful Areas
Any kind of heat applied to key areas will increase blood flow and reduce stiffness.
Moist heat in particular works very well to reduce pain in any area and is a great way to manage fibromyalgia pain.
Soaking in a warm relaxing bath is the best way to get the benefits of moist heat. To enhance the healing powers of the warm bath, add a few drops of essential oils into the bath before you step in.
Lavender, blue chamomile, turmeric and peppermint essential oils are the best essential oils for fibromyalgia pain relief.
#5 Move More
Even though it may feel like the last thing you want to do, moving can be a great way to relieve the pain and soreness.
This is not the kind of movement that you do down the gym – this is more like gentle housework, stretches or gardening.
Moving even for only a few minutes a day can make a huge difference in reducing fibromyalgia pain.
#6 Go for Regular Physiotherapy Sessions
Physiotherapy can be very effective in managing fibromyalgia pain.
The motion of a select few exercises that involve the joints and muscles can provide significant fibromyalgia pain relief.
Gentle exercise is recommended, but it’s important that it’s the right exercises.
Excessive exercise or choosing the wrong exercise can produce more pain.
# 7 Practice Tai Chi
Like yoga, tai chi too has been used as a pain-relieving therapy for many years, with widespread benefits.
Tai Chi helps to relax your breathing so that you find it easier to combat the lack of sleep and the feelings of depression, both of which are common in anyone who has fibromyalgia.
#8 Watch What You Eat
There are a number of vitamins and minerals, as well as herbal supplements that are known to provide effective fibromyalgia pain relief.
A healthy diet that incorporates lots of vegetables, fruits, and lean meats is highly recommended when you are looking for ways to manage fibromyalgia pain.
Increase your intake of vegetables such as eggplant, carrots, beets, and cabbage. If the vegetables themselves don’t seem quite appetizing, consider adding the juices to your daily diet.
A cup of ginger or alfalfa tea or chamomile tea has been known to reduce painful fibromyalgia symptoms.
Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and limit your intake of sugar and caffeine, too. A supplement high in magnesium, vitamins A, C, and E, and selenium is also a good combination.
#9 Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese as a medicinal remedy for many, many years. The Chinese use it to treat several different conditions including fibromyalgia.
Acupuncture helps to manage the body’s flow of energy and blood flow.
In recent years, studies have shown acupuncture can also relieve fatigue and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
#10 Apply Capsaicin Topically
Capsaicin is a naturally occurring compound that is an active ingredient in many pain relievers. When applied topically, it can reduce pain by altering the body’s levels of certain hormones and chemicals.
It has been used to relieve pain in many conditions such as headaches, cancer, and diabetes in addition to fibromyalgia.
#11 Try Chiropractic Treatments
Chiropractic techniques can also help to manage fibromyalgia pain, especially if you suffer from neck and back pain.
In realigning the spine and other parts of the body, chiropractic treatments can help reduce the pain and improve posture. The gentle pressure that is applied using specific movements along the spine, helps to improve agility in the spinal areas, bringing relief relatively quickly.
Which Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Technique is Best for You?
All of the above techniques have been known to provide some degree of fibromyalgia pain relief. Unfortunately, not everyone will have the same results with a treatment since everybody responds to pain differently. It is a good idea to vary the possible treatments until you find the one that works the best for you.
Why Natural Healing is A Better Alternative to Prescription Medications
There are a number of prescription medications that are often prescribed to provide fibromyalgia pain relief.
Muscle relaxants and analgesics are prescribed to ease the cramps and aches. Sleeping pills may be prescribed to help you get some rest at night.
However, these medications simply “zone” you out and can be habit forming if taken over a long period of time. There is also a tendency for dependence or addiction.
On the other hand, natural ways to manage fibromyalgia pain do not have any adverse effects. In trying any of the above methods, you must remember that none of these techniques can cure fibromyalgia. There is no known cure yet for this condition. What they will do is to provide much-needed fibromyalgia pain relief so you can lead a better quality of life.
Have you tried any of these natural ways to manage fibromyalgia pain? Do let us know which methods you’ve tried and if they worked for you in the comments below.
Disclaimer
This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult with an expert/your physician before taking any type of medication or starting with any exercise program. This is even more important if you are experiencing unusual symptoms of any kind.
