Fibromyalgia treatment

Fibromyalgia treatment involves the inclusion of all possible psychotherapeutic methods, diet, manual therapy. To date, there is no exact treatment regimen for fibromyalgia due to the fact that neither the etiology nor the pathogenesis of this disease have yet been clarified.

This is explained by the fact that despite all the diverse symptoms, the disease does not manifest itself with organic damage or deviations during all sorts of standard examinations. The disease can be diagnosed only with the help of anamnestic data, complaints of the patient himself and neurological tests that determine pain in trigger points, which are considered diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia.

How to treat fibromyalgia?

This is a question that many doctors ask themselves when faced with chronic syndromic, diffuse pain, rigidity, constant apathy, insomnia and depression on the part of the patient. If we take into account that most patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women, the question of choosing treatment is also supplemented by gynecological symptoms, which most likely develop against the background of an anxious, psycho-emotional state. It is believed that fibromyalgia, the treatment of which is still being studied and has not been reduced to a single recommended scheme, is pathophysiologically based on a violation of the process of regulating the work of the branches of the nervous system: the central, peripheral, vegetative and hypothalamic-pituitary systems.

Accordingly, the question of how to treat fibromyalgia can only be answered by a comprehensive, individually selected and modified therapy during the treatment process. It should be recognized that, despite significant advances in the study of this syndromic disease, the successes achieved in the development, selection and use of medications, fibromyalgia is not yet completely cured. However, in the last decade, through clinical trials, observation of many thousands of patients, doctors have managed to develop a method that relieves painful symptoms, and, therefore, improves the patient's quality of life.

Non-drug treatment for fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia treatment with folk remedies is also supervised, moreover, the European Association of Cardiologists and Rheumatologists does not deny the positive effect of herbal medicine as an auxiliary method of curing this complex disease. Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by metabolic disorders, which can be restored by a course of natural adaptogens - decoctions, tinctures and extracts from herbs that activate the immune system, stimulate or normalize the functioning of the central nervous system.

In addition, there are herbal preparations that neutralize intoxication of the body, herbs that have a nootropic or calming effect on the nervous system, antibacterial and antiviral properties. We provide a short list of photo products that are used in the complex treatment of fibromyalgia.

Adaptogens, which increase the overall activity of the body, stimulate muscle tissue, give energy and stimulate motor activity. Fibromyalgia treatment with folk remedies necessarily includes adaptogen herbal preparations in its complex, which help oxidize pyruvic and lactic acid - the so-called "fatigue toxins". Adaptogens include the following plant substances:

• Schisandra (Chinese and other types of Schisandra). Schisandra contains schizandrol, schizandrin and other active components that enhance the processes of perception and excitation in the central nervous system. This property is widely used in the treatment of depressive and apathetic states. Schisandra can also be used to improve visual perception, stimulate appetite and mobilize many functions of the body. Schisandra tincture is taken in the morning once, starting with a minimum dose of 5-7 drops in half a glass of water. It is possible to increase the dosage, but the attending physician should monitor the intake of this strong stimulant drug, who will vary the individual dose for a specific patient, taking into account his condition and symptoms.
• Maral root (leuzea), which includes steroid phytocompounds - phytoexidones with effective protein-synthetic action. Such anabolic effect helps to activate muscle activity and enhance protein synthesis, which has a beneficial effect on the liver, improves the composition of the blood flow. Leuzea also helps to increase the lumen of the vascular bed, strengthens the heart muscle, activates cognitive abilities. The tincture is taken in the morning hours once, the dose is selected by the doctor individually.
• Ginseng is a preparation containing glycosides (panaxosides) that increase appetite, improve the digestive tract, and normalize blood sugar levels. The tonic effect of ginseng is an order of magnitude lower than that of Schisandra, but as a preparation that improves metabolism, it is irreplaceable. The tincture is taken in the morning, once, starting with 10 drops in half a glass of water. Over the course of a week, the dose can be gradually increased by adding a few drops to the maximum dosage of 30 drops.

Treatment of fibromyalgia with folk remedies

Treatment of fibromyalgia with folk remedies requires strict supervision by the attending physician, since natural adaptogens and stimulants, if used incorrectly, can deplete the body's already weakened energy resources.

External remedies for muscle pain relief

Fibromyalgia treatment with folk remedies involves the use of both internal intake of decoctions, tinctures, and various lotions, compresses with medicinal herbs and even spices. Thus, compresses from a mixture of red ground pepper with vegetable oil help to reduce the pain symptom. The oil will slightly protect the skin from the rather aggressive irritating effect of capsaicin, a substance contained in pepper. Capsaicin neutralizes the conductivity of nerve impulses responsible for pain. Also effective as an external remedy are tinctures of lilac or birch buds, which are recommended to be rubbed into the area of trigger points. Treatment of fibromyalgia at home includes regularly performed procedures using such products. Of course, you can buy a ready-made pharmacy ointment, but a compress prepared with your own hands helps not only in a therapeutic sense, but also in a psychological one: the patient begins to join the therapy process as a full participant.

Blood purification

It is believed that a decoction of dandelion and burdock roots helps to normalize blood composition and activate the immune system. To prepare herbal tea, take one tablespoon of burdock and dandelion roots, pour a liter of boiling water over them and leave for an hour. The resulting infusion is taken throughout the day, replacing regular tea. The course is at least three weeks.

Normalization of the nervous system is achieved with the help of decoctions of lemon balm and valerian root. Also effective is motherwort tincture, which should be used for a long time - at least 3 months.

Treating fibromyalgia at home is entirely acceptable, provided that the patient follows the doctor's recommendations, not only regarding herbal medicine, but also taking medications.

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Treatment of fibromyalgia with medications

The first thing that is prescribed in the complex treatment of the disease is painkillers and antidepressants.

To neutralize pain symptoms, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, mainly for external use, since internal use of NSAIDs can have a negative effect on the patient's digestive tract. In addition, pain usually affects muscle tissue, not joints, so ointments containing diclofenac, ibuprofen, as well as external agents that include novocaine, lidocaine are effective.

How to treat fibromyalgia with antidepressants? A clinically proven effect is achieved by prescribing TCAs – tricyclic antidepressants, which are more effective than drugs from the SSRI group – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Amitriptyline, which also normalizes the process of falling asleep and gently stimulates the overall activity of the body, relieves pain well. Unlike amitriptyline, taking sertraline or fluoxetine does not give similar results, or the improvement does not last more than two to three weeks. The use of amitriptyline, cyclobenzaprine or melipramine involves a gentle dose of 10 mg once at night, with a further increase in dosage to 25 mg per day. The course of treatment with tricyclic antidepressants is long, with breaks, the treatment regimen is the prerogative of the attending physician.

Fibromyalgia treatment also involves myelorelaxing, since the main symptoms concern pain in muscle tissue. As myelorelaxants, the prescription of such drugs as baclofen, sirdalud is indicated, which relieve reflex muscle tension, improve local blood supply and relieve pain.

Treatment of fibromyalgia at home is possible with the help of antioxidants and vitamin complexes containing the entire group of B vitamins, vitamins A and E.

Fibromyalgia treatment also includes non-drug treatments, such as complex psycho-emotional rehabilitation with the help of psychotherapy sessions and training in autogenic relaxation methods.

Since there is still no clinically proven answer to the question of how to treat fibromyalgia, that is, a single therapeutic strategy has not been developed, treatment of the disease is carried out for a long time, sometimes for several years. High reliability of effectiveness in treatment concerns only schemes confirmed by medical experience and stable remission on the part of patients, which include taking tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, sedative herbal preparations, long courses of psychotherapy, a special diet and a set of therapeutic physical exercises.