Introduction
Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic achy muscular pain that has no obvious physical cause. It most commonly affects the lower back, the neck, the shoulders, the back of the head, the upper chest and/or upper thighs, although other areas of the body may be involved. The pain is usually described as burning, throbbing, shooting, or stabbing. Activities such as lifting and climbing stairs are often very difficult and painful. Depression is frequently experienced as well. Most people with fibromyalgia also have an associated underlying sleep disorder known as alpha-EEG anomaly.
In this disorder, the individual’s sleep periods are interrupted by bouts of waking-type brain activity, resulting in poor sleep. Not surprisingly, given these sleep difficulties, people with fibromyalgia often suffer from chronic fatigue that can range from mild to incapacitating.
Fibromyalgia is more common in females than in males, and most often begins in young adulthood. In most cases, the symptoms come on gradually and slowly increase in intensity. They can be triggered or made worse by stress, lack of sleep, poor immunity or changes in temperature. Some cases clear up on their own, some become chronic and some go through cycles of flare-ups alternating with period of apparent remission.
The causes of fibromyalgia are widespread with no one origin. Some evidence points to problems that originate in the immune system or with systemic fungus such as candida albicans; chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam dental fillings; anemia; parasites have also been connected to causing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Recent research points to the possible involvement of chemical and/or food sensitivities in fibromyalgia. This would hardly be surprising, as humans have been exposed to more chemicals in the last fifty years than all the rest of our history combined.
Because malabsorption problems are common in people with fibromyalgia, higher than normal doses of vitamins, minerals and other supplements are often needed. Chronic sufferers tend be deficient in magnesium and also present with adrenal insufficiency. Natural treatment methods will be different for each person.
Common Symptoms
Painful, tender, recurrent points aching all over the body; persistent, diffuse musculo-skeletal pain and stiffness; fatigue, weakness, headaches, confusion, migraine headaches, chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel, poor sleep patterns and nervous symptoms like anxiety and depression, and hypoglycemia – symptoms of mild cortisol deficiency; stomach and digestive problems; shortness of breath with high uric acid. Other symptoms include cardiovascular problems and unexplained allergies. Being overweight and a smoker compounds fibromyalgia.
Common Causes
Adrenal insufficiency: an immune compromised condition with no known real cause. Aluminum toxicity may be linked to the magnesium deficiency; possible virus involvement.
Natural Treatment
Natural methods focused on supporting the underlying cause of the symptoms. Recommended protocol includes one or more of the following: Adrenal testing and food allergy testing, food allergy elimination diet, detoxification and immune system support. Provide natural support for pain and inflammation through food and supplements. Personalized nutrition assessment (online or in person) suggested to focus treatment plan on individual’s specific root cause of symptoms.
References
Page L. Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone Eleventh Edition. Traditional Wisdom, Inc; 2000.
Rister S. Healing Without Medication. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc; 2003.