Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in your body tissues accompanied by general fatigue. This disease often affects your body’s tender and fibrous tissues like muscles, ligaments, and tendons. 

In fibromyalgia, you tend to have pain in particular areas of your body (known as tender points) that are excessively sensitive and sore. Even the slightest pressure on these tender points can cause pain. This unexplained pain can go on for more than months at a stretch. Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by extreme headaches, disturbed sleep, weak memory, depression, muscle pain, and consistent dizziness. The severity of fibromyalgia may vary from person to person, but the underlying cause remains the same. You might feel hindered at work or perform any physical activity due to fibromyalgia. Studies indicate fibromyalgia amplifies pain sensations in the brain, leading to a heightened perception of discomfort. 

Fibromyalgia was found in 1.75%, equating to 3.94 million individuals across the globe. Given the high incidence of fibromyalgia, the treatment is widely available. However, for an effective and long-lasting cure, you can try homeopathy.

Role of homeopathy in fibromyalgia

Homeopathy helps treat fibromyalgia pain affecting any fibrous tissues, like muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your body. Homeopathic medicines relieve acute pains and help you overcome the chronic tendency for recurrent fibromyalgia. When prescribed as a constitutional remedy where the mental and physical state of the individual is taken into consideration, homeopathic medicines provide relief from muscle pain and associated symptoms of fibromyalgia, like headaches, sleep issues, weak memory, depression, and consistent dizziness. 

Top five homeopathic medicines for fibromyalgia

Arnica montana (Arn.)

Common name: Leopard’s bane

Arnica is indicated in fibromyalgia with sore, bruised pains in the body. These people experience sore, lame, and bruised feelings all over the body. The soreness is felt as if the person was beaten. 

Arnica is effective in cases where the body is sensitive to touch and the person is afraid to touch the painful parts. Fatigue, numbness, and tingling of limbs are other indicative symptoms of this remedy. People needing this medicine have a history of injury.

Bryonia alba (Bry.)

Common name: Wild hops

Bryonia alba is recommended for fibromyalgia pains that worsen from motion. The pains get better on lying down and after complete rest. 

Bryonia helps in fibromyalgia with sharp, bursting, stitching, sore, and tearing type of pain. This remedy especially acts on lower back and knee pains. The slightest pressure causes pain on tender points. There is stiffness along with the pain.

Kalium phosphoricum (Kali-p.)

Common name: Phosphate of potassium

Kali. phos. is indicated for fibromyalgia with mental fatigue and sleeplessness. This remedy is suited for fibromyalgia linked with stress. You may feel intense weakness and tiredness. There is a feeling as if the whole body is drained out. Exertion often worsens these pains.

Physical fatigue with body aches is another major issue treated with this medicine. There is a prickling sensation in the hands and feet. 

Magnesium phosphoricum (Mag-p.)

Common name: Phosphate of magnesia

Mag. phos. is effective for fibromyalgia, where pains are felt more at night. Often, warmth gives relief to these pains. There is pain in the neck, lower back, and lower limbs with marked restlessness and extreme weakness.

The pains in the body are mostly shifting in nature. They often radiate from one place to another. The pains are sharp and shooting in nature and are often relieved by pressure. Mag. phos. works well in case of fibromyalgia pains that worsen with slight touch and cold. 

Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus-t.)

Common name: Poison ivy

Rhus tox. is prescribed in cases of fibromyalgia with pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The pain is often tearing, stitching, or shooting in nature. This remedy is chosen for numbness and a prickling sensation in the limbs.

Rhus tox. is a medicine for fibromyalgia pains that worsens after exertion and during the night. You may experience disturbed sleep with marked stiffness in the body. The characteristic symptom of this remedy is back pain that gets better with motion. 

Take Homeopathy Treatment for Your Health Conditions

Causes of Fibromyalgia 

  • Genetics

Certain genes you inherit from your biological parents are thought to be the causative factor for fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that fibromyalgia is passed down through families.

Genetic mutations in neurotransmitter-forming genes in the brain may contribute to fibromyalgia, affecting pain signal transmission and reception.

  • Gender 

Women are at more risk of developing fibromyalgia. As per the study, 80 to 90% of diagnosed cases of fibromyalgia are women. The female hormone estrogen is linked to this.

  • Age

Fibromyalgia is usually more common in people aged 20 to 55 years.

  • Other diseases 

People with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, and osteoarthritis are at risk of developing fibromyalgia.

  • Sleep disorders 

Sleep disorders like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome increase your risk for fibromyalgia.

  • Viral infections 

Certain viral infections like Epstein-Barr, influenza, and viruses that cause hepatitis B and C can trigger or worsen fibromyalgia.  

  • Bacterial infections

Bacterial diseases like Lyme disease caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi are linked with fibromyalgia.

  • Trauma 

Physical injury or emotional trauma can trigger fibromyalgia. Cervical spine injury is linked with fibromyalgia.  Emotional issues like separation, losing a job, financial difficulties, social isolation or social deprivation, and the death of a family member or loved one can trigger fibromyalgia.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

  • Pain

Pain is the most common presenting symptom of fibromyalgia. This pain is often described as a constant, deep, dull ache. However, sometimes, you can experience shooting, sharp, throbbing, and burning pains. You may feel fibromyalgia pain in your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and around the joints. 

  • Numbness and tingling

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include numbness, tingling sensations, and stiffness lying in the same position for too long.

  • Tender points

If you have fibromyalgia, you may experience tender points. Around nine pairs of tender points are present in specific areas of your body. These tender points are located at the back and front of your neck, hips, elbows, lower back, upper back, knees, chest, and shoulders. According to the American College of Rheumatology, if at least 11 of these 18 points are painful when a certain amount of pressure is applied, a person is said to have fibromyalgia. 

  • Fatigue

Tiredness is another common thing you might experience if you have fibromyalgia. You may feel too tired to do simple, everyday routine activities. Even after sleeping for long hours, you may feel tired and drained. This fatigue is often similar to the one you experience during the flu. 

  • Sleep issues

You may struggle to fall asleep or maintain sleep due to fibromyalgia. Sometimes, there can be poor sleep quality, like light or disturbed sleep. Sleep disturbances arise due to pain that frequently wakes you at night. You may feel unrefreshed and weak in the morning. Sleep disruption in fibromyalgia may coincide with sleep disorders like sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. 

  • Fibro-fog

If you have fibromyalgia, you may experience fibro-fog and cognitive issues, making it hard for you to pay attention, focus, and concentrate on brainy tasks. Recalling information, following conversations, and learning new things may also become challenging.

  • Other symptoms

Apart from the above, you may experience headaches, anxiety, depression, tingling, numbness, prickling, burning sensation in your hands, feet, arms, and legs, and pain in the lower abdomen. Women with fibromyalgia often experience painful periods. 

Treatment for fibromyalgia

  • Pain reliever medications

Pain relief medications can help reduce discomfort associated with fibromyalgia.

  • Sleep therapy

Sleep therapy techniques are recommended to treat sleep disturbances due to fibromyalgia.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 

CBT is beneficial in managing fibromyalgia symptoms. It addresses the thought patterns and behaviors associated with fibromyalgia.

  • Stress management therapy 

Stress-management therapies are suggested to help you cope with the impact of stress on fibromyalgia symptoms.

  • Antidepressant medications

Antidepressant medications are prescribed to reduce pain and improve your mood.

Diet and lifestyle modifications for fibromyalgia

  • Balanced diet

Include whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your diet. Limit consumption of processed foods, sugar, and caffeine, as they can worsen your symptoms.

  • Stay hydrated

Drinking plenty of water helps you maintain overall health and reduce fatigue.

  • Exercises

Incorporating stretching or strength training into your routine can help manage fibromyalgia symptoms. 

  • Prioritize sleep

Follow a regular sleep routine to promote better sleep quality. Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks and using electronic devices before bedtime.

  • Pace yourself

Avoid overexertion by breaking your routine tasks into manageable segments. Try scheduling regular rest breaks in between daily chores.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties and poses significant challenges to your daily routine. Managing fibromyalgia often involves an integrated approach, including medication, exercise, stress management techniques, and lifestyle adjustments. Homeopathy can provide promising results in symptoms of fibromyalgia. Seek help from a professional homeopathic doctor to better manage fibromyalgia and enhance their well-being.

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