Aromatherapy is one of the fibromyalgia natural medicines that people swear by. Some natural health practitioners and chiropractors also use aromatherapy as part of a treatment for fibromyalgia. There are several scents which are preferred. As always you should consult your health professional before trying these on your own.
A high-grade peppermint oil seems to help block some of the pain. Peppermint oil also seems to help with the fibrofog. The scent helps with focus and clearer thinking.
Sweet birch is also used because it is a natural anti-inflammatory. Another reason to look for high grade oils is so you do not irritate your skin when you use them. Sweet birch can also be toxic and should be used sparingly.
Another essential oil that seems to help is lavender. It is used to calm you down. Sometimes the pain and stress of dealing with fibromyalgia can become so overwhelming a natural medicine to calm you is invaluable. Lavender oil is easier to find but you could use fresh lavender tea bags for the scent in a pinch.
The strategy behind natural medicines for fibromyalgia is to stimulate what some people call the reptile part of our brains. One chiropractor I know believes aromatherapy can be used to retrain this part of the brain to handle pain correctly.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Fibromyalgia and a Cure
Some people in the medical field are ambitious. They may want a large grant or a disease named after them selves. They may want honor from colleagues. None of this really, has anything to do with finding a cure for a disease.
It reminds me of the story of Robert Stroud. He started of life as a semi-literate man who was sent to prison. He was sent to prison for crimes that would be plea bargained away in this day and age. Stroud spent 43 years in solitary confinement.
During this time he discovered his own intellect. In prison classes he awed his teachers by passing tests. Many of the tests were passed the first time he took them. Stroud became a self taught mathmetician, astronomer, engineer, linguist, ornithologist, and biologist.
He also was the discoverer of many of the cures of disease of birds and canaries. Stroud taught himself criminal law. He wrote a 200,000 word book on the penal system.
At this point either you are saying I get it or what is your point. The point is that brain power is what will find a cure for fibromyalgia. Speculation can only bring smiles and smirks. A cure is the answer.
Many questions remained unanswered. Like what is the relationship between fibromyalgia and the complaints of pain in the skin? Are there older diseases which cause similar problems that are more destructive? Allergies seem to figure into Fibromyalgia for some people. What would that relationship be?
At some point I will write more about cause and effect. I also will be looking more into what can be done with old world medicine or what we are calling today alternative medicine.
I also want to explore what this group of symptoms may have been called in the past and what may have been done to treat it. Unfortunately it is slow and there is only so much time and energy when you have Fibromyalgia.
It reminds me of the story of Robert Stroud. He started of life as a semi-literate man who was sent to prison. He was sent to prison for crimes that would be plea bargained away in this day and age. Stroud spent 43 years in solitary confinement.
During this time he discovered his own intellect. In prison classes he awed his teachers by passing tests. Many of the tests were passed the first time he took them. Stroud became a self taught mathmetician, astronomer, engineer, linguist, ornithologist, and biologist.
He also was the discoverer of many of the cures of disease of birds and canaries. Stroud taught himself criminal law. He wrote a 200,000 word book on the penal system.
At this point either you are saying I get it or what is your point. The point is that brain power is what will find a cure for fibromyalgia. Speculation can only bring smiles and smirks. A cure is the answer.
Many questions remained unanswered. Like what is the relationship between fibromyalgia and the complaints of pain in the skin? Are there older diseases which cause similar problems that are more destructive? Allergies seem to figure into Fibromyalgia for some people. What would that relationship be?
At some point I will write more about cause and effect. I also will be looking more into what can be done with old world medicine or what we are calling today alternative medicine.
I also want to explore what this group of symptoms may have been called in the past and what may have been done to treat it. Unfortunately it is slow and there is only so much time and energy when you have Fibromyalgia.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Oxygen
One of the best things I have spent my money on was something to help the oxygen in my body. In all honesty I am not sure I understand it all. As close as I can get the solution binds with free radicals in my body to make oxygen. That $35.00 was the best money.
I have never gotten to the number of drops recommended on the bottle. What I can say is I can feel it when I skip putting a couple drops in a bottle of water.
I got it at my local vitamin and supplement store.
I have never gotten to the number of drops recommended on the bottle. What I can say is I can feel it when I skip putting a couple drops in a bottle of water.
I got it at my local vitamin and supplement store.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Fibromyalgia Pain: Muscles
Many people describe fibromyalgia pain as tension in their muscles. It feels like your muscles are tired after working out. The only problem is you were not working out.
Other people describe a tingling in their muscles. Some people who have arthritis and fibromyalgia describe it as feeling like arthritis in muscles instead of joints.
Relief can be had with some of the same techniques you might use for any other pain. I have used topical creams and over the counter pain medications.
I have used hot baths with Epsom salt in it with some relief. This is a trick athletes use for muscle fatigue. It helps draw out lactic acid that has built up. One friend sits in a bath chair under the shower as hot as she can stand it.
After a car accident that aggravated the fibromyalgia, physical therapy helped for awhile. Massage and heat seemed to be the most effective.
I learned to recreate those things at home. I had a vibrating pillow. I also had a board that vibrated and heated that was very helpful.
I had found the board years ago at a garage sale. I got the pillow one year at Christmas. I am s cheap it hurts. Being careful with money is becoming more and more important the sicker I get.
Of course these things only took the edge off the muscle pain. In the beginning I knew nothing. I was glad for any relief I could get.
Other people describe a tingling in their muscles. Some people who have arthritis and fibromyalgia describe it as feeling like arthritis in muscles instead of joints.
Relief can be had with some of the same techniques you might use for any other pain. I have used topical creams and over the counter pain medications.
I have used hot baths with Epsom salt in it with some relief. This is a trick athletes use for muscle fatigue. It helps draw out lactic acid that has built up. One friend sits in a bath chair under the shower as hot as she can stand it.
After a car accident that aggravated the fibromyalgia, physical therapy helped for awhile. Massage and heat seemed to be the most effective.
I learned to recreate those things at home. I had a vibrating pillow. I also had a board that vibrated and heated that was very helpful.
I had found the board years ago at a garage sale. I got the pillow one year at Christmas. I am s cheap it hurts. Being careful with money is becoming more and more important the sicker I get.
Of course these things only took the edge off the muscle pain. In the beginning I knew nothing. I was glad for any relief I could get.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Fibromyalgia Treatment
I have learned to keep an open mind concerning fibromyalgia treatment. In the beginning I thought all the alternative therapies were silly. At some point I was willing to try anything though.
Imagine my surprise when some of those therapies worked. At some point even just taking the edge off the pain was enough.
Experts on pain agree that Physical Therapy is a Fibromyalgia Treatment that deserves close examination. Physical Therapy helps with muscle tone and flexibility. Physical therapy has been helpful when I have been in pain, especially during the winter months.
Other fibromyalgia treatments to consider are water therapy, light aerobics, applying heat or cold, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation either by hand or machine.
I have had good results with a chiropractor using a machine to apply the manipulation and have had relief from pain.
Some people have also found some relief with massage. Of course you need to tell the masseuse that you have fibromyalgia so you can ease into this and other treatments.
Friends have shared with me their success in using massage chairs when having problems with pain. Since you can buy a system to put on your own chair or a chair that has massage in it I suppose it is cheaper as well.
Imagine my surprise when some of those therapies worked. At some point even just taking the edge off the pain was enough.
Experts on pain agree that Physical Therapy is a Fibromyalgia Treatment that deserves close examination. Physical Therapy helps with muscle tone and flexibility. Physical therapy has been helpful when I have been in pain, especially during the winter months.
Other fibromyalgia treatments to consider are water therapy, light aerobics, applying heat or cold, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation either by hand or machine.
I have had good results with a chiropractor using a machine to apply the manipulation and have had relief from pain.
Some people have also found some relief with massage. Of course you need to tell the masseuse that you have fibromyalgia so you can ease into this and other treatments.
Friends have shared with me their success in using massage chairs when having problems with pain. Since you can buy a system to put on your own chair or a chair that has massage in it I suppose it is cheaper as well.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Fibromyalgia Natural Medicines
Few people think about the quality of sleep in relation to natural medicines. Surprisingly sleep is one of the first things the doctor who diagnosed asked me about.
Without realizing it the pain and stress of fibromyalgia can affect the amount and quality of your sleep. Since one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue then sleep becomes even more important.
A significant number of people with fibromyalgia have sleep apnea. I did and I never noticed it. Don’t be surprised if you doctor recommends you get a sleep study and at least check.
One possibility is medication to help you sleep. Another choice might be what is called a CPAP machine. The doctor associated with the sleep study will make recommendations to you.
Different organizations recommend different things you can do for your sleep that should be included in any discussion about natural medicines. One of those things is to make your bedroom comfortable by reducing the noise and adjusting the temperatures in the bedroom.
Another thing is to try different sheets, blankets, and even night time clothing to find out what will be the most comfortable for you. I change bedding and clothing for different seasons and this helps my sleep
Without realizing it the pain and stress of fibromyalgia can affect the amount and quality of your sleep. Since one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue then sleep becomes even more important.
A significant number of people with fibromyalgia have sleep apnea. I did and I never noticed it. Don’t be surprised if you doctor recommends you get a sleep study and at least check.
One possibility is medication to help you sleep. Another choice might be what is called a CPAP machine. The doctor associated with the sleep study will make recommendations to you.
Different organizations recommend different things you can do for your sleep that should be included in any discussion about natural medicines. One of those things is to make your bedroom comfortable by reducing the noise and adjusting the temperatures in the bedroom.
Another thing is to try different sheets, blankets, and even night time clothing to find out what will be the most comfortable for you. I change bedding and clothing for different seasons and this helps my sleep
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Is Lack of Sleep a Symptom of Fibromyalgia?
Since one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is the overpowering fatigue, it is important to get the best possible sleep. One of the areas to look into is sleep disorders.
Although this may not be the ‘answer’ to autism it might lead you to an important tool in the battle to remain as functional as possible for as long as possible.
Being up at night, because you sleep so lightly, is not normal. You also should also not wake up hurting and tired. You may want to check with a sleep specialist. You may not even realize that you are having a problem with sleep.
I know some people who have checked with their spouse or children and found out how badly they snore or grind their teeth at night. These are also good reasons to check with a sleep specialist.
The sleep specialist and their staff will be able to do a thorough work up at the first appointment to see if you might have a problem with a restricted airway.
It is also typical to have to spend a couple of nights at a sleep center for more testing. Sometimes this can be done in one night but typically it takes two nights.
Of course not all people with fibromyalgia will have sleep disturbance as one of the symptoms. Sleep disturbance has been found in a large number of people with fibromyalgia. It was also one of the first things that the diagnosing doctor told me to check.
Although this may not be the ‘answer’ to autism it might lead you to an important tool in the battle to remain as functional as possible for as long as possible.
Being up at night, because you sleep so lightly, is not normal. You also should also not wake up hurting and tired. You may want to check with a sleep specialist. You may not even realize that you are having a problem with sleep.
I know some people who have checked with their spouse or children and found out how badly they snore or grind their teeth at night. These are also good reasons to check with a sleep specialist.
The sleep specialist and their staff will be able to do a thorough work up at the first appointment to see if you might have a problem with a restricted airway.
It is also typical to have to spend a couple of nights at a sleep center for more testing. Sometimes this can be done in one night but typically it takes two nights.
Of course not all people with fibromyalgia will have sleep disturbance as one of the symptoms. Sleep disturbance has been found in a large number of people with fibromyalgia. It was also one of the first things that the diagnosing doctor told me to check.
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