Are there any alternative treatments for fibromyalgia I should avoid?
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Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Many people with fibromyalgia try alternative treatments for relief. If you are considering an alternative therapy for fibromyalgia, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you understand the risks and likely effectiveness of each therapy and may be able to recommend a practitioner. Be especially sure to talk to your doctor before trying any dietary supplements or herbal treatments. Some may cause serious side effects when mixed with certain medications.
Watch out for any diets that claim to treat fibromyalgia. There is no one diet that's been found to be effective for fibromyalgia.
Many people with fibromyalgia try alternative treatments for relief. If you are considering an alternative therapy for fibromyalgia, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you understand the risks and likely effectiveness of each therapy... More -
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Be wary of fibromyalgia "cures" you see advertised on the Internet. If it sounds too good to be true, it may be a scam. Be especially cautious when it comes to dietary supplements; they can have unwanted effects and may interfere with medicines you take. Talk to your doctor before trying any supplements for your fibromyalgia.
Some alternative approaches are probably safe to try and may (or may not) provide some relief. These include hypnotherapy, acupuncture, and biofeedback.
Be wary of fibromyalgia "cures" you see advertised on the Internet. If it sounds too good to be true, it may be a scam. Be especially cautious when it comes to dietary supplements; they can have unwanted effects and may interfere with... More -
Celeste Cooper answered:Identifying, understanding, and avoiding aggravating factors are paramount in managing fibromyalgia.
This includes the effect of myofascial pain from myofascial trigger points, well documented in the research as a common comorbid condition that provides constant pain stimulus to an already fragile central nervous system. Aggravators of myofascial pain syndrome should also be addressed, poor posture, skeletal deformities, injury, repetitive or static positioning, holding the muscle in a static position such as in Yoga, and metabolic disturbance should be considered.
*Yoga postures provide stretching that helps the myofascia, it is the holding postures one should avoid, and improvisations can be made to accommodate your needs. T’ai Chi is generally better tolerated.
In general, if an alternative treatment aggravates or triggers your symptoms rather than minimizing them, a scrutinizing eye should be applied. This includes food sources, medications, or movement therapies.
Some foods, herbs and supplements may interfere with your medications or other sensitivities. Discuss all intolerances with your doctor so you can devise a helpful treatment plan. The goal of all therapy is to improve function.
All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press and are not meant to replace medical advice. http://www.thesethree.com
Author of Chapter Five, Living with and Coping Effectively Through Fibromyalgia: Detecting Barriers, Understanding the Clues, in Fibromyalgia Insider Secrets: 10 Top Experts, 2nd Ed. Ebook complied by Deirdre Rawlings, ND, PhD http://www.fibromyalgiainsidersecrets.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=121_0_1_59
Find out more about this book: Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofa...
Identifying, understanding, and avoiding aggravating factors are paramount in managing fibromyalgia. This includes the effect of myofascial pain from myofascial trigger points, well documented in the research as a common comorbid condition... More
