Heat, especially moist heat, may relieve soreness and stiffness from fibromyalgia by boosting blood flow to the places where you hurt. Apply a warm, moist washcloth to the painful area or try taking a shower or soaking in a bath. You also can reduce the deep muscle pain of fibromyalgia with a cold pack.
As muscle pain is a primary symptom of fibromyalgia, this may contribute to muscle stiffness. Generally when a joint feels sore, you will be reluctant to move it. However, this can mean that you lose elasticity and flexibility in the joint, causing it to progressively become stiffer.
Medications can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. Common choices include: Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) may be helpful.
Magnesium
Not only is it credited with keeping the heart, kidneys and bones strong, it also helps us avoid muscle spasms, weakness and back pain, Dr. Teitelbaum says. Women with fibromyalgia may be deficient in magnesium, studies suggest. And magnesium may help relieve fibro pain and other symptoms.
The most helpful treatment approach for fibromyalgia is a combination of self-care, physical activity and cognitive-behavioral therapy. But medication may also be needed.
The key is to use the correct forms of magnesium. The best is magnesium taurate or magnesium malate for fibromyalgia. These typically offer the most efficient absorption. Magnesium citrate, which is the most commonly found is a good laxative but not for maximum absorption.
An important first step to feeling better is figuring out what makes your symptoms worse. Common triggers include: Cold or humid weather. Too much or too little physical activity.
Most people with fibromyalgia feel like they need to "loosen up" after getting out of bed before they can start their day. The muscles and joints of their back, arms, and legs feel stiff. It's not typical creakiness. It's more like the stiffness someone with rheumatoid arthritis feels.
The age-associated reduction of skeletal muscle mass and function is called sarcopenia. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People developed a practical clinical definition and consensus diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Loss of muscle function is common in fibromyalgia and in the elderly.
There are many different methods for loosening tight muscles, including physical therapy, stretching, massage, foam rolling, and active recovery. By incorporating these methods into an exercise routine, it can help reduce muscle tightness and improve overall muscle and joint health.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend a multivitamin that includes antioxidant vitamins A, C, D, E, and the B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc to ease symptoms. Coenzyme Q10. This antioxidant, used to convert food into energy, has shown some promise in treating fibromyalgia symptoms.
To cite one of the better-designed studies, Bagis and colleagues reported that women with fibromyalgia had lower magnesium levels than healthy women and that their fibromyalgia symptoms—pain and tenderness in particular—improved when they were given 300 mg of magnesium citrate daily.
Abnormal pain messages
The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) transmits information all over your body through a network of specialised cells. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of, and extreme sensitivity to, pain.
Although large-scale studies are still needed to confirm their effectiveness, the newest FDA-approved treatments for fibromyalgia include Quell and milnacipran. Quell is an over-the-counter transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator intended to be used for pain relief.
Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, so genetic factors are likely to contribute to the disorder, but little is known for sure about the specific genes involved. Researchers believe that environmental (nongenetic) factors also play a role in a person's risk of developing the disorder.
Aerobic exercise may help relieve fibromyalgia pain, reduce stiffness, and improve function. Several types of aerobic activities can be effective, including: Walking: Walking is a great low-impact activity, especially if you're new to exercise. You can slowly increase the intensity with methods like Nordic walking.
Regular physical activity can often improve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Although exercise may increase pain at first, it may help prevent pain over time. Activities that may help people with fibromyalgia include walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics.
Exercise, but don't overdo it
Researchers don't understand why, but regular cardio exercise has shown to be an imperative part of keeping fibro patients healthy. Getting low-intensity exercise during a flare-up is crucial. Don't lie in bed all day. Get your body moving in the gentlest way possible.