Natural Cures Guide

Fibromyalgia is becoming well-known as a condition that researchers believe may be related to chronic fatigue syndrome. Possibly in response to stress, lack of sleep an injury or infection, or another trauma or disease, your muscle begin to ache. Pain might develop gradually and affect a wide area, or it may come on suddenly and sharply in specific areas. You might feel burning, stiffness, shooting pain, or an overall throbbing sensation. The soreness can center on the shoulders, the hip or upper thigh muscles, or the elbows and knees.
Perhaps fibromyalgia’s most distinguishable feature is that the aches are often accompanied by anxiety, depression, fatigue, or an inability to sleep. Doctors often call the sleep disturbances non-restorative sleep–you may be able to drop off, but when you wake you don’t feel rested. In fact, you may be even more fatigued.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia may worsen during periods of stress, overexertion, trauma, extreme temperature, infection, or emotional crisis. Although the disorder isn’t dangerous of life-threatening, it can be very disruptive. Curiously, it is seldom seen outside of Western industrialized countries, leading researchers to theorize that lifestyle or dietary factors may play a role. But theories are all that’s available so far; no one yet knows what causes this disease.
Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is easily mistaken for other kinds of pain. But anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen and ibuprofen seldom lessen fibromyalgia pain. Pharmaceutical sleep aids can further diminish the quality of sleep and they can cause dependence. Low doses of antidepressants may help relieve some sleep disturbance symptoms and decrease pain. Occasionally, doctors may administer injections of local anesthetics or corticosteroids directly into the painful spots.

HERBAL REMEDIES

Grapeseed Extract (Vitis vinifera)

From the seeds of wine grapes come powerful antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory compounds called proanthocyanidins. They’ve been used to treat everything from varicose veins to poor night vision. For people with fibromyalgia, these compounds help to inhibit the inflammatory response, the chemical reactions responsible for pain and soreness.
Typical dosage: 50 to 300 milligrams of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) per day. You may want to start with a higher dose to saturate cells and then taper down to a lower dose.

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of this herb make it a favorite for fibromyalgia. It also boosts digestion, helping your body absorb nutrients better, which improves overall health. Typical dosage: 200 to 800 milligrams per day of a root extract containing 1.5 percent harpagoside content. Caution: Do not use devil’s claw if you have gastric or duodenal ulcers, or if you’re pregnant or nursing. If you have heart disease, use the herb only under a doctor’s supervision.

White Willow Bark (Salix alba)

This bark has been used for over a thousand years to relieve pain. Salicin, aspirin’s forerunner, is white willow’s active constituent. Apart from its ability to ease pain, salicin reduces inflammation, but unlike aspirin, it will not thin the blood or irritate the stomach. Typical dosage: up to six 400-milligram capsules per day; or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of powdered bark in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes); or follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

This best-selling medicinal herb brings more oxygen to muscle cells when they’re under stress. Ginkgo is also a powerful antioxidant. Compounds called ginkgolides inhibit a specific body chemical involved in inflammatory disorders. Typical dosage: 60 to 180 milligrams per day of product standardized to 24 percent flavone glycosides.

Cayenne (Capsicum spp.)

Creams containing capsaicin, the stuff that makes peppers hot, can help relieve pain and boost circulation to tender muscles. Such creams work because the capsaicin is a counter-irritant, meaning the heat you feel distracts your brain from the pain signals that other nerves are sending. Typical dosage: capsaicin creams vary in their strength; read the labels carefully and compare percentages of capsaicin content. Begin with a medium to low strength (depending on your own sensitivity) and work up; follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how frequently to apply. Caution: Do not apply close to the nose, mouth, eyes, or other sensitive areas; thoroughly wash your hands with soap after each application.

St.-John’s-Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Studies have found that this herb, now famous for easing mild to moderate depression, can also help treat sleep disorders. It is especially good at promoting longer periods of deep sleep, which is exactly what people with fibromyalgia need most. Typical dosage: up to 900 milligrams of an extract containing o.3 percent hypericin per day, in divided doses. Caution: If you are already taking other antidepressants, consult your doctor before beginning to take St.-John’s-wort. May cause increased skin reactions to sun exposure.

EATING TO EASE THE PAIN

Many holistic practitioners believe that diet plays a role in causing fibromylagia, though they’re not quite sure how or why. Their recommendations:
* Drink plenty of fluids, especially freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices, for their antioxidant content.
Carrot juice is highly recommended because it’s particularly packed with beta carotene.
* Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables
* Eat small meals throughout the day rather than large infrequent ones.
* Keep your digestive system moving by eating high fiber foods or taking a fiber supplement.
* Avoid red meats, shellfish, fatty foods, and acidic foods such as tomatoes and vinegar. Also avoid white
potatoes, green peppers, and eggplant. Limit or completely avoid foods that are high in hydrogenated or
saturated fats.
* Eliminate caffeine and alcohol and greatly reduce sugar consumption.
* Investigate your own food allergies. If you think certain foods may worsen your symptoms, try doing
without them and note what happens.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR FIBROMYALGIA

The following supplements are designed to nourish muscle cells and enable the to use energy more efficiently through better oxygenation. They also control inflammation and depression and promote more restful sleep.

* NADH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-hydrogen). This compound helps control pain and
muscle spasms. Typical dosage: 5 to 10 milligrams each morning on an empty stomach; take with 6
to 8 ounces of water.
* Malic acid and magnesium. These two chemicals help muscles use glucose properly. Together, they
may help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Typical dosage: 300 milligrams of malic acid and 200 to 300
milligrams of magnesium, both three times per day.
* 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-tryptophan). Studies have found this compound helps decrease the pain and
insomnia of fibromyalgia by increasing serotonin levels. Typical dosage: 50 to 300 milligrams per day.
* SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine). This new compound is being hailed as a natural antidepressant.
But clinical studies show that it can also reduce fibromyalgia pain and elevate mood. Because depression
can occur with fibromyalgia, this supplement may be worth a try. Typical dosage: 200 to 1,600
milligrams per day.
* Coenzyme Q10. This enzyme helps boost oxygen supplies to muscle tissue, helping it to flush
inflammatory chemicals more quickly. Typical dosage: 60 to 400 milligrams per day.