Around 1988, I developed fibromyalgia. As has always been my path, I chose to address it naturally rather than through allopathic medicine. This is not a decision every person can make and, in an article such as this, I have focused on pain relief tips that will help in either natural or western medicine settings.
5 Pain-Busting Tips for Fibromyalgia
1. Massage - When I suggest massage for fibro, I can almost hear people questioning that idea. After all, one of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia is acute skin sensitivity. I remember times when I couldn't stand cover or clothing against my skin. So how can massage help?
Well, there are massage therapists who specialize in working with fibro patients. They know the trigger points and also know that they cannot use the same pressure with someone who has fibromyalgia as they do with a fibro-free patient.
Working the trigger points may not be pleasant but for many, they do have relieve the pain.
2. Foot Reflexology - It's rare for me to counsel anyone about anything without mentioning this amazing health tool. Regular reflexology treatments can do wonders for fibro pain, because of the relaxation and increased circulation produced as well as the beneficial effect on the entire system by having the reflexes worked on a regular basis.
Reflexology is not a new thing. In fact, there's evidence that it's at least 5,000 years old. Nothing stays around that long unless it works.
Where a massage, even with a specialist in fibro massage, just seems unbearable, a foot reflexology treatment is a wonderful option. For optimal results, however, you need to think in terms of regular sessions, say at least one per week until the pain balances itself.
3. Reiki - Reiki is an alternative healing method that involves hands on energy work but, unlike massage, there is little or no pressure. Since it is energetic, Reiki energy goes where it is needed in the body automatically. This balancing healing energy helps the body release pain, relax and realign itself with health.
4. Infrared Heat - The healing properties of infrared heat make it especially beneficial for those with fibromyalgia because the infrared rays can penetrate into the body about an inch and a half. Most find infrared heat to be amazingly effective for pain relief. You can buy far infrared heat mattresses online. Just do a search and you'll find lots of sources. I bought mine on ebay.
5. Alkaline and/or Structured Water: The quality of the water you drink is vital when combatting fibro. Two areas to explore include alkalized water and structured water.
Structured water is said to help the body remove wastes better and take in more nutrients due to reducing the surface tension of water. You can read about a lot of different structured or clustered waters on the internet, as well as a lot of yeas and nays on it. Some say it's bull and some swear by them. I have personally got noticable results with Willard Water but haven't tried many of the others out there.
The best structured water I've ever used is HCA Water, but it's only available locally around northeast Alabama and the Chattanooga, Tennessee area I think.
Alkalized water is water that has a ph level that is alkaline. A lot of alkalized waters are also structured. My HCA water is alkaline and I've also used a product called Body Alkalizer that is added to water to make it alkaline. I feel better when I drink alkaline water and have less pain. To me, that's the bottom line. If it works, and causes no bad effect, why not use it?
I want to mention one thing that I take when my fibro pain acts up, or any type of joint pain really but I preface this with a disclaimer: If you are under a doctor's care for fibro or any other illness, check with your doctor before adding anything new to your health regimen.
I take about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (it's important to me that it be organic, raw unfiltered vinegar because I feel it works best) and a little honey and water and drink that at night. My joint pain and muscle pain is always better then next morning.
I would encourage anyone with fibro to not give up. Keep exploring and don't turn an idea away just because you've never heard of it. Do some research and keep working with your team of health professionals.
The Spiritual Significance of Fibromyalgia
http://www.askahealer.com/fibromyalgia.htm
