Fibromyalgia and Alternative Treatments
From acupuncture to chiropractic, from massage to meditation, alternative
treatments are in great demand. That's especially true for people with
pain-related illnesses such as fibromyalgia. Alternative medicine, including
herbal therapy and homeopathy, it is
used in place of conventional medicine. These systems are based on the belief
that the body has the power to heal itself with multiple techniques including
those that involve the mind, body and spirit. Complementary medicine is used
together with conventional medicine. For people with fibromyalgia, some alternative treatments work well. That's
because holistic therapies influence your total being. In that way, they may
allow you to reduce your medications and increase your normal activities. Study findings show that standard acupuncture may be effective in treating
some people with fibromyalgia. Both biofeedback and electroacupuncture have
also been used for relief of fibromyalgia symptoms. However, before you try
alternative treatments, talk with your doctor. Check to see what limitations
might apply to you. Working with your doctor, you can find an acceptable way to
blend conventional medicine with alternative treatments or natural remedies.
When you do, you may be able to increase restful sleep and reduce your
fibromyalgia pain.
Can acupuncture treat fibromyalgia?
With acupuncture, a practitioner inserts one or more dry needles into the
skin and underlying tissues at specific points. Gently twisting or otherwise
manipulating the needles causes a measurable release of endorphins into the
bloodstream. Endorphins are the body's natural opioids. In addition, according
to acupuncture practitioners, energy blocks are removed. Removing them is said
to restore the flow of energy along the meridians, which are specific energy
channels. Studies show that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry. It appears to do
this by changing the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters
stimulate or inhibit nerve impulses in the brain that relay information about
external stimuli and sensations such as pain. In this way, the patient's pain
tolerance is increased. One acupuncture treatment in some patients may last
weeks to help alleviate chronic pain.
What is electroacupuncture?
Electroacupuncture is another way of stimulating the acupuncture points. It
uses a needle hooked up to small wires connected to very slight electrical
currents. Heat -- moxibustion -- and massage -- acupressure -- can also be used
during this electroacupuncture process. Laser acupuncture is yet another offshoot of this alternative therapy. It
may occasionally be effective for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
While it uses the same points, there are no needles involved. There are precautions to take if you want to try acupuncture. First, make
sure you find a licensed acupuncturist who has a lot of experience. Also, make
sure the acupuncturist uses only disposable needles. There are multiple styles of acupuncture. The style used depends on where
the practitioner studied. For instance, Chinese acupuncture depends on larger
bore needles and the practitioner may be more aggressive with moving them.
Japanese acupuncture uses thinner bore needles with a relatively gentle
approach. You'll need to find the style that suits your fibromyalgia needs. How does biofeedback work to ease fibromyalgia? continued...
With biofeedback, you are connected to a machine that informs you and your
therapist when you are physically relaxing your body. Sensors detect muscle
tension, heart rate, breathing pattern, the amount of sweat produced, or body
temperature. Any one or all of these can let the trained biofeedback therapist
know if you are learning to relax. The instruments magnify signals that you might not otherwise notice. As a
result, you can use this visual or auditory response to learn how to control
certain bodily functions. The ultimate goal of biofeedback is to use this skill
outside the therapist's office when you are facing real stressors. With fibromyalgia pain, you know the "real stressor" is the pain itself.
Nevertheless, other daily stressors can cause your fibromyalgia to flare. What
you want to do is respond in a healthy way to the chronic stressors. If learned
properly, electronic biofeedback can help you control your heart rate, blood
pressure, breathing patterns, and muscle tension, potentially reducing
pain.
What is homeopathic medicine?
Homeopathy is a therapeutic system of medicine that started in the late 18th
century. Homeopathy is based on the principle of "like cures like." That
means that remedies that would cause a potential problem in large doses will
actually encourage the body to heal more rapidly if given in small doses.
Practitioners use small diluted formulas of plant, mineral, and animal
substances to treat various ailments. The hope is these formulas will stimulate
the body to throw off the offender.
Can herbal medicine help fibromyalgia?
Herbal remedies have been used for generations. They can be put in tea or
soup or taken in other forms. While some herbal therapies have not been shown
to have a specific benefit for fibromyalgia symptoms, some patients have found
improved sleep or more energy with herbal supplements.
How can meditation help fibromyalgia?
With meditation, you allow your thoughts to take a break from daily
analytical routines and give support to the spiritual dimension of life. When
you meditate, your body switches from the pumping "fight or flight" response to
a calmer, more peaceful mood. Studies show that meditation produces brain waves
consistent with serenity and happiness. Meditation provides nourishment for
your soul, satiates inner spiritual hunger, and helps you to develop your
ability to pay attention to all areas of life without distraction.
What should I remember if I want to try an alternative treatment?
It's important to be openly discriminating when choosing alternative
treatments. The fact that something is called "natural" does not mean it is
safe. Working with your doctor, look for the alternative therapies that will
best boost sleep and decrease pain. The right therapy can help get you on the
healthy road again. http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/natural-therapies-and-alternative-treatments-for-fibromyalgia?page=3 |