7 Ways to Treat Fibromyalgia

Having unrelenting pain and fatigue that makes it hard to work or sleep can make you feel like your life is falling apart. But there are treatments that can help you.

Medications such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella) and pregabalin (Lyrica) adjust brain chemicals to ease widespread pain, and antidepressants and antiseizure drugs may be used too. Other treatment options include acupuncture, yoga and Tai chi.

1. Medications

Some fibromyalgia symptoms, like pain and fatigue, can be relieved with medications. Your doctor may prescribe a combination of drugs to manage your symptoms. It may take some trial and error to find a medication that works best for you.

Medications can include prescription painkillers, such as opioids (morphine, oxycodone), or muscle relaxants (like tramadol). Studies don’t support the use of steroid painkillers, and long-term use can worsen your fibromyalgia pain.

Antidepressants (either alone or with other medicines) can help improve your mood and sleep. Many people also try herbal therapies. But you should check with your doctor before trying these, as some herbs have sedative or blood-thinning properties that can interact with other medications and cause side effects. Some herbal treatments are not well-studied.

2. Exercise

Regular exercise helps reduce fibromyalgia pain, improve sleep and boosts energy. Even simple exercises like walking or swimming may help.

Low-impact aerobic activity (such as jogging, swimming, cycling, or water aerobics) is the most helpful type of exercise for people with fibromyalgia. It strengthens muscles, increases endurance, and reduces the risk of tiny injuries that can trigger more pain.

Mind-body activities, such as tai chi, also seem to ease the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. These exercises can also relax the muscles and joints, making them easier to move.

Start small and build up your exercise program gradually. This prevents a phenomenon called post-exercise malaise, or PEM, which can happen when you overdo it. PEM causes you to feel exhausted and can make your symptoms worse for days or longer.

3. Tramadol

Tramadol is an excellent medicine for fibromyalgia. This medication has shown great results in many patients. You can buy tramadol online in tablet form or liquid form; however, it is crucial to take Tramadol with proper doctor instructions and guidance for safe and effective use.

4. Yoga

Yoga helps relieve pain, fatigue and sleep problems caused by fibromyalgia. It combines exercise with relaxation and meditation. It may help improve your mood and ease depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions that are common with fibromyalgia.

It may also help you manage stress and reduce pain and stiffness. You can do yoga at home or in a class. Some studies show that regular yoga classes and at-home practice over 8 weeks can help improve fibromyalgia symptoms. Some researchers have found that the yoga practice of restorative poses, such as the baby pose or bridge pose, can calm the nervous system and help you relax. The pose resembles the position of an infant in the womb and it promotes deep relaxation. It strengthens the back muscles and stretches the front body.

5. Tai chi

The calming movement of tai chi might help with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. Researchers found that people who took tai chi classes twice a week for 24 weeks had better improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms than those who attended aerobics classes.

Regular exercise improves both pain and function in fibromyalgia, but some find that exercising too often makes their symptoms worse. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Acupuncture is a Chinese practice where needles are inserted into trigger points in the body. Some studies show that it can reduce fibromyalgia pain and stiffness, but more research is needed.

Managing fibromyalgia includes getting enough sleep, practicing good stress management techniques and not overworking yourself. It’s also important to treat sleep problems, such as snoring or sleep apnea, because poor quality sleep can make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.

6. Massage

Massage is a proven way to relieve pain and improve mood and sleep for people with fibromyalgia. It also helps to loosen tight muscles, which may help return patients to physical tasks that they have temporarily lost the ability to do.

Fibromyalgia sufferers are highly sensitised so you will need a technique that causes no or minimal pain, and which is tailored to your specific tender points. It is best to start with a light or relaxation massage and gradually increase the pressure as you become more tolerant.

It is best to arrange regular appointments as the beneficial effects build up with each treatment. Ideally you should rest after each session and not try to do too much immediately afterwards. Make sure that your massage therapist knows you have fibromyalgia and tailors the technique accordingly.

7. Relaxation techniques

Many people with fibromyalgia report that stress makes their symptoms worse. A number of relaxation techniques have been shown to help people with fibromyalgia manage stress. These include yoga, exercise, and deep breathing exercises. Talk therapy and counseling may also be useful.

Mindfulness meditation and acupuncture are also effective relaxation techniques. These methods focus on the present experience and help to reduce pain and anxiety. They can be taught by a therapist or practiced at home using self-guided materials.

Sleep problems are common in fibromyalgia, and they can make the pain and fatigue associated with the condition worse. Good sleep hygiene includes allotting enough time for sleep each night and avoiding distractions like TV or computer use in bed. Also, try to wind down before going to bed with warm baths or listening to soothing music.