8 natural remedies to treat fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects the soft tissue and muscles. People suffer from symptoms like chronic pain, increased pain sensitivity, fatigue, sleep problems, joint and muscle aches. It is unclear what the cause of fibromyalgia is, but it seems that overactive nerve endings, genetics and stress are all linked to the condition. 

There are a number of natural treatments that can help relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia which include natural supplements, lifestyle changes, and stress management. These can be done at home or you can set up a treatment plan with your doctor. Here are eight natural remedies that can provide some relief for symptoms of fibromyalgia.

1. Capsaicin (aka hot peppers)

Capsaicin has been used as a natural remedy for a number of ailments for many years. It also happens to be the compound that gives hot peppers their spiciness. Capsaicin stimulates the production Substance P, a chemical in the body. When Substance P levels are low, the pain associated with fibromyalgia pain seems to get worse. Therefore, increasing the amount of peppers you eat may provide relief from fibromyalgia symptoms.

2. Exercise

Exercise shows the most promise out of all the natural remedies and treatments for fibromyalgia. Regular physical activity and exercise can help control muscle and joint pain symptoms. It can also increase the level of endorphins in your body which work as a natural pain reliever. Exercise will also improve sleep and promote better overall health and wellness.

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves applying fine needles to various parts of the body in order to stimulate nerve and energy centers throughout the body. There is no clear evidence stating whether acupuncture is truly effective, however, but many fibromyalgia patients say it can provide relief. Acupuncture for fibromyalgia may require routine sessions because it seems that it does not provide long-lasting relief.  

4. Vitamin D

People naturally metabolize vitamin D when exposed to sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is an important nutrient in order for us to maintain bone health, muscle health, and nerve function. Some of us are unable to make enough vitamin D naturally, and therefore suffer from a vitamin D deficiency. Research suggests that increasing your vitamin D levels through supplements or increased sun exposure can provide some relief for fibromyalgia symptoms.

5. Dietary Supplements

There are a number of dietary supplements tther than vitamin D that may help with fibromyalgia. This includes magnesium, melatonin, St. John’s wort, 5-HTP and SAMe. These may all help people with fibromyalgia with pain relief. Melatonin can help improve sleep and promote natural healing. St. John’s wort may work as a general analgesia which can help reduce the severity of symptoms. Magnesium, 5-HTP and SAMe can help promote the production of serotonin, a natural hormone in the body that helps relieve pain.

6. Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be used on its own, or in combination with acupuncture. Either way, it can help by soothing sore muscles and joints and initiating the production of endorphins in the body. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers. Similar to acupuncture treatment, massage therapy will likely require regular sessions to maintain relief because it also does not provide long-lasting relief.

7. Chiropractic Treatments

Chiropractic treatments are a part of holistic medicine, a form of healing that takes into account the whole person (body, mind, spirit, emotions) in order to achieve optimal health and wellness. This type of treatment helps people achieve proper spinal alignment. It is believed that fibromyalgia may be caused by, or made worse by, problems in the spine. Spinal adjustments may relieve some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

8. Biofeedback

Biofeedback therapy involves training people to control physiological processes in the body such as muscle tension, blood pressure, or heart rate. By training people to control pain through brain responses, it promotes increased conformity between your mind and your body, which helps reduce chronic pain. Researchers have not yet discovered whether there is an exact link between biofeedback and fibromyalgia. However, biofeedback therapy seems to be promising in treating and managing other chronic pain conditions.