Treating fibromyalgia: Lifestyle changes and natural remedies

So many doctors are unfamiliar with the painful and confusing condition called fibro­myalgia that just getting a diagnosis may be something of a relief. You can now begin an effective treatment program and get on the road to recovery fast.

Getting fibromyalgia out of your life is truly a matter of trial and error: a nightly hot bath with Epsom salts, an electric blanket, a weekly massage, acupuncture, low-impact aerobics, muscle relaxants, antidepressants — all have helped others. If you're in a stressful life situation and can't figure out how to solve it, consider visiting a therapist, particularly one who has worked with other fibromyalgia patients.

The sooner you begin treatment, the better. Someone who has been suffering from fibromyalgia for only a few months, for example, typically responds much better than someone who has endured the condition for more than a decade. There are a number of strategies you can follow in your day-to-day life that will make a real difference in how you feel.

1. Reduce stress. Schedule a time out each day to relax. Pace yourself, and don't over commit.
2. Exercise regularly. The key is to start slow and not overdo it. Doing low-impact activities such as swimming or aqua aerobics a few days a week is an excellent way to start. Then you can graduate to other aerobic activities like walking, and work up to strength training using light hand weights or machines. Stretching the muscles is also important for reconditioning them and reducing pain.
3. Consider physical therapy, which concentrates on different muscle groups. It’s also a good complement to an exercise regimen.
4. Get enough rest. Try to follow a regular sleep schedule, limit daytime napping and use your bed for sleeping or sex only.

1. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, hypnosis and biofeedback can all be beneficial for those with fibromyalgia.
2. Massage may also help to relieve stress and pain, as may a massage variant known as myofascial trigger point therapy, in which deep tissue around tender points is vigorously worked.
3. Chiropractic manipulation of the back may also ease soreness. Some sufferers find relief by applying magnets to painful areas, although this approach remains unproven.
4. Acupuncture, in which thin needles are placed at strategically situated points in the body, is a popular Chinese remedy for relieving the pain of fibromyalgia. You should begin to feel and sleep better within six to eight sessions.
5. Qigong. Another traditional Chinese treatment to bolster the body against stress is qigong, a 4,000-year-old healing art combining movement, focus and controlled breathing. In a study at the University of Maryland, an eight-week program of qigong, combined with cognitive-behavioural therapy and meditation, effectively eased fibromyalgia symptoms.

• Try to stay upbeat. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, many people with this condition experience marked, even near-total, pain relief after just a few weeks of specialized treatment.
• Strength training and aerobic exercise may ease symptoms of fibromyalgia. A small study of 15 women found that those who participated in 20 weeks of graduated exercise had less pain, fatigue, stiffness and depression. The women began with water exercises in a pool, then advanced to walking and, finally, to weights and other resistance devices.