Fibromyalgia is a condition that involves having long term pain that spreads throughout the muscles, tendons and other tissues all over the body. It often includes other symptoms such as chronic fatigue, depression and sleep disturbances. While the cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, there are different methods used to treat the symptoms. These are some types of pain management that are used to treat fibromyalgia.
Medications
There are various medications on the market that have been found to provide some relief for those who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. These include anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and corticosteroids.
Some medications that are specially marketed for fibromyalgia may be a combination of both a pain reliever and an anti-depressant. Narcotic pain medications may also be prescribed for those who have extremely severe fibromyalgia pain.
Sleep Enhancement
Sleep enhancement treatments can also help relieve fibromyalgia pain to some extent. Often the chronic fatigue that one suffers from is due to not getting an adequate amount of rest. Therefore, taking steps to improve the sleep of a patient with fibromyalgia often reduces the fatigue and pain.
These treatments may include establishing a more normal sleep routine by avoiding caffeine, alcohol or other stimulants that may prevent restful sleep. Relaxing techniques such as meditation or yoga before bedtime also helps reduce stress and encourage better sleep. It may also help to take a sedative each night before going to bed.
Exercise
Low-impact aerobic exercises are often a good way to better manage pain from fibromyalgia. This includes walking, swimming, bicycling and water aerobics. This helps reduce pressure and stress on the musculoskeletal system and can also reduce the risk of joint pain developing as well.
Alternative Treatments
There are other treatments that may also help one manage fibromyalgia pain. This includes deep tissue massage, acupuncture, and hypnosis. Some patients also find relief by getting regular treatments from a chiropractor or physical therapist. Rotating heat and cold therapy to the areas of the body that have the most pain can also help make fibromyalgia pain easier to manage.
Once you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it is very important to avoid overworking your body even on the days when your pain is at a minimum. This can trigger a severe flare up of your fibromyalgia which may leave you in severe pain for an extensive period of time. It is best to take breaks and allow your body to rest frequently.
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