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COPING WITH FIBROMYALGIA
Article by herbalist Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
Fibromyalgia
is a complex debilitating pain disorder that is estimated
to affect approximately 2% of the
U.S.
population. Women are affected more
often than men at a ratio of 9:1, and it is the second most
prevalent rheumatic disease with over 10 million sufferers.
It is estimated that the cost of
Fibromyalgia to the
U.S.
economy is $9.2 billion annually.
Due
the complexity of this condition, this article will go over
the highlights and possible treatment options using natural
products.
What is Fibromyalgia
(FMS)?
The term is coined from the Latin words fibro
(connective tissue fibers), my (muscles), al
(pain), and gia
(condition of). FMS is not a new
syndrome. William Balfour, a surgeon at the
University of
Edinburgh, first described it
in 1816. For many years the medical
profession has called it by different names including
chronic rheumatism, myalgia,
pressure point syndrome, and
fibrositis. In 1987 the AMA
(American Medical Association) recognized FMS as a true
illness and a major cause of debility. It is unfortunate
that some physicians still believe it does not exist.
Let’s look at some of the symptoms experienced by
sufferers and how it is being diagnosed.
Symptoms accompanying this disorder include
widespread muscular and joint pain, spasms and diffuse
tenderness in many areas of the body,
unrefreshed sleep, lack
of sleep, fatigue and emotional distress. There are
other
symptoms that can be present such as chronic headaches,
irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ, PMS, panic attack, memory
impairment, dizziness and depression. The list is quite
extensive when you see how varied each person’s symptoms
are being exhibited.
The cause of FMS is unknown
and the course
that it follows is unpredictable.
Diagnosis of FMS is difficult. It is
more like diagnosing what it is not. This is done by
clinical elimination.
However, the
following are the criteria for diagnosis: widespread pain,
muscle spasm, and fatigue of greater than three-month
duration. Examination of specific sites
of the body reveals eleven of the eighteen sites on both
sides of the body are painful on palpation.
These sites are around the lower vertebrae of the
neck, the insertion of the second rib, the upper part of
the thigh bone, middle of the knee joint, muscles connected
to base of skull, neck and upper back muscles, muscles of
the mid back, side of the elbows, and upper and outer
muscles of the buttocks.
Many people with FMS also suffer with
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and or environmental illnesses
(multiple chemical sensitivity).
Conventional treatment options are directed more at
treating the symptoms and the management of pain.
Therefore, management using non-prescription and
prescription medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, local
anesthetics, physical therapy and exercise are all used to
reduce symptoms. Anti-depressants are
used to promote deep sleep that does seem to help.
This approach is again only helping to maintain and
is not directed at treating the cause of the problem.
Again, this is difficult to do because of the
complexity of each individual’s circumstances.
Let’s look at some dietary, nutritional, and
herbal support for FMS. Due to the
overlap of multiple system imbalances with these
individuals, diet becomes important.
Refined sugars, animal products (meat and dairy), caffeine,
alcohol, soda pop, and artificial sweeteners, and chemical
additives all need to be reduced and or eliminated.
A basic protocol would be to improve digestion,
assimilation and elimination of all foods, improve liver
functions, boost immune activity, reduce stress on the
adrenals glands, and aid nervous system rebuilding
processes.
Let’s look at some of the
specifics. A good natural multiple
vitamin will provide a wide array of nutrients that
can be helpful in ruling out nutrient deficiencies. Some
other nutrient considerations would include:
§
B Complex
–
Provides necessary components for the nerve system and the
efficient utilization of carbohydrate and fat assimilation.
§
Vitamin C – Boosts the immune system,
increases energy levels, and has anti-viral properties.
§
Calcium – Nourishes the nerves and muscles.
Works well with magnesium, potassium, and selenium.
§
Malic
Acid and Magnesium – Has shown to be of benefit with the
energy production at the muscle site.
Helps to clear muscles of lactic acid buildup. Helpful in
sugar metabolism.
§
Proteolytic
Enzymes – Reduce inflammation, aid in food absorption, and
are necessary for tissue repair.
§
EFAs
– Essential fatty acids help reduce pain and balance
hormonal factors.
§
Creatine
Monohydrate – Appears to help tissue response but has not
been clinically tested.
§
SamE
– Has been shown clinically to reduce the number of trigger
point sensitivity, reduce morning stiffness, and improve
mood.
§
CO Q10 – Helps to oxygenate the muscle
tissues, boost immune functions and increase energy levels.
§
5-THP – Tryptophane
has been shown to improve mood, boost immune functions and
improve sleep.
§
Probiotics
– The use of acidophilus helps build digestive functions
especially when digestive weakness is part of the
condition.
There are many herbals that would fit into a
total approach to FMS.
They would
include:
§
Olive Leaf –
Oleoeuropein has antiviral activity and has shown
some benefits.
§
Grape Seed Extract – Protects the muscles
from damage and enhance immunity
§
Astragalus
– Enhances immune function and is
tonifying to the entire nervous system.
§
Echinacea – Specific to boosting immune
functions.
§
St. John's
Wort – Works well with other
nervine herbs to promote sleep
and acts as an antiviral agent.
§
Milk Thistle – Improves liver function by
aiding detoxification process.
§
Licorice Root – Supports adrenal functions
and rebuilds energy. Helps reduce detriments of stress.
There are many other complementary therapies
that can assist a person suffering with FMS. These would
include yoga, tai chi, relaxation techniques, massage
therapy, aromatherapy, deep heat therapy, biofeedback,
acupuncture and acupressure, polarity therapy, and the use
of magnet therapy.
Due to the complexity of this condition,
it is important for one to work closely with their health
care professional. Unfortunately there
is not an easy solution to FMS. It does
take time to improve, and improvements are subject to each
individual circumstance.
A good reference book on FMS would be
Fibromyalgia and
Chronic Myofacial Pain
Syndrome, A Survival Manual
by Devin Starlanyl, MD and Mary
Ellen Copeland, M.S., M.A.
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