by Connie Earl Robertson

Created on: September 23, 2009   Last Updated: October 05, 2009

Fibromyalgia is a painful, debilitating disease that has no definite cause, no specific treatment and no known cure. Doctors must work closely with each patient in order to help them find a certain level of relief from their symptoms. The goal is not to cure them from fibromyalgia, but to help them to live as normal of a life as possible. Here are some of the fibromyalgia treatment options that are available.

Medications

The first step in the treatment of fibromyalgia is to control the patient's intense pain and abnormal sleep problems. Muscle relaxants, anti-epileptics, anti-depressants, sleep-aids or pain medications may be prescribed, depending on the patient's symptoms.

Psychological Support

Learning to live with fibromyalgia is one of the biggest problems people have. Psychological problems such as fear, embarrassment and frustration often plague patients as they attempt to deal with the symptoms wreaking havoc in their bodies.

Support groups provide excellent psychological help by giving the patient an opportunity to discuss their problems with others who understand what they are going through. It gives them the opportunity to learn about treatments that have helped others, and allows them to discover new things they can try in an attempt to find a solution for their particular problem. Speakers are often brought in who are knowledgeable on the subject of Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Therapy

Physical, occupational, water, myofascial release and cognitive therapies have been used successfully to help alleviate some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and to help the patient live a more useful and stress free life.

Massage therapy is helpful to a large majority of patients as it moves the body's muscles and soft tissues, causing them to loosen up and relax. It can improve blood flow to the muscles, increase the flow of nutrients throughout the body and help to eliminate waste.

Massage therapy can relax the muscles and joints allowing a greater range of motion, reduce the heart rate by causing the patient to relax and increase the production of the body's natural painkillers. As a result of the relaxation, it helps to relieve anxiety and stress.

Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care

Both acupuncture and chiropractic care have been used with success with certain patients, but they haven't been able to help every patient. Fibromyalgia is so different in each person that, many times, what works for one person, won't work for another.

Optional Treatment

Other treatments that

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