Managing Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a chronic, sometimes debilitating, disease which has no known cure.  It seems to come from problems in how the brain processes pain signals and could be genetic.  It is not contagious although it may run in families.  The best strategy is to learn to manage and cope with your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Muscle Pain and Tenderness

Constant or sporadic, muscle pain and tenderness make ordinary daily life difficult.  Along with the pain you may suffer from anxiety and depression.  Recent studies have shown that anxiety and depression can be relieved dramatically by adding fish oil supplements to the daily diet.  The recommended therapeutic dose is 2,400 mg. of Omega 3 fish oil daily for relief of anxiety and depression.

Massage and acupuncture may give you relief from muscle pain and tenderness.  Not everyone can find or afford professional massage or acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia symptoms.  Learn to make your own pain relieving massage oil using 5 drops of rosemary and eucalyptus essential oil in one cup of sesame oil.  It is possible to learn the art of self massage.  Information is available on the internet and in books and tapes that explain the techniques of self massage.  Additionally, you can learn about acupressure, which uses the ancient Chinese acupuncture points on the body to ease pain.  Acupressure is another thing you can learn to do for yourself.  Both techniques can help you manage your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Exercise is another way to help manage pain and stress.  Even on your worst days, it is important to keep your body energized and toned with moderate exercise.  Never push yourself beyond your limits but also do not allow your muscles to deteriorate.

Walking is a mild form of exercise that takes little or no equipment and can be done almost anywhere.  Aim for 30 minutes of walking per day.  If you can’t do it all at once, try three 10 minute walks per day.  Exercise also helps to manage anxiety and depression and regular exercise can help you sleep soundly.  Some yoga postures are gentle and help to stretch muscles and stimulate blood flow to tense areas of the body.

Breathing exercises and meditation can be used to deal with pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms.