Free, fibromyalgia webinars on functional medicine, teaching you what Dr. Shook has done with others, simply and effectively, so you can implement it today. Teaches everything, 100% free. Several $1000s of dollars in value. Limited time, check the “webinars” tab above.

Due to the fact that most medical treatments are unable to overcome fibromyalgia, the disorder is considered to be incurable. However, this belief is far from the truth. Although fibromyalgia is a serious disorder with a pronounced chronic character, there are actually effective means of treating it. Acupuncture has proved to be a very reliable form of therapy for fibromyalgia, providing symptomatic relief and preventing the recurrence of the disorder.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that has been successfully used to treat various illnesses for thousands of years. This oriental therapy can relieve most of the symptoms generated by fibromyalgia in a relatively short period of time. Acupuncture can quickly restore physical and mental balance, improving the overall health of the people who follow this form of therapy.

Acupuncture can quickly ease fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. This form of alternative therapy uses needles to stimulate various nervous centers of the body. In Oriental medicine, it is believed that the internal activity of the organism can be influenced by activating certain points on the body. These points are referred to as “acupuncture points” or “acupoints”. Therapists use acupuncture needles to activate specific acupoints on the body, correcting the activity of the entire organism simply by stimulating the nervous system.

This ancient Chinese practice is very benefic for people affected by fibromyalgia. Acupuncture inhibits fibromyalgia pain by stopping pain impulses from reaching the brain. This form of therapy can also regulate the body’s production of hormones, increasing the levels of serotonin, endorphins and encephalin, which have a very important role in relieving pain. Acupuncture can also improve the blood flow, restoring muscular tonus. Furthermore, acupuncture can help people with fibromyalgia relax, inducing them a state of comfort and wellbeing.

The majority of people affected by fibromyalgia admit that they have experienced an amelioration of their symptoms after only a few sessions of acupuncture. The first symptoms that can be relieved with the means of acupuncture are muscular pain and weakness, rigidity of the joints, and fatigue. After a month of ongoing therapy, acupuncture can also reduce stress, depression and mental confusion.

Chinese therapists claim that acupuncture works on multiple levels, healing the body, mind and spirit altogether, helping people re-achieve their balance. Oriental therapists also state that acupuncture stimulates and increases the vital “chi” energy, improving the overall health of the organism.

Acupuncture is very benefic to people with fibromyalgia and it can quickly alleviate their symptoms. In present, this form of therapy is probably the most effective means of overcoming the disorder.

If you want to find out more information about Fibromyalgia [http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com/] please visit this website. You will also find valuable information about Fibromyalgia pain [http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com/fibromyalgia-pain.htm] and Fibromyalgia symptoms [http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com/fibromyalgia-symptoms.htm].

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Free, fibromyalgia webinars on functional medicine, teaching you what Dr. Shook has done with others, simply and effectively, so you can implement it today. Teaches everything, 100% free. Several $1000s of dollars in value. Limited time, check the “webinars” tab above.

Fibromyalgia is a neurological condition that affects the musculoskeletal soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments. The majority of people with fibromyalgia feel an intense muscular pain and discomfort, also accompanied by a pronounced level of fatigue throughout the whole body. At first, the muscular pain and fatigue usually occur in the upper parts of the body (neck, cervical region, upper back and shoulders), later spreading into other body regions (mid-back, arms, spine, lower back and thighs).

Other fibromyalgia symptoms are unrefreshing sleep or insomnia, physical weakness, poor ability of sustaining physical or mental effort, increased nervous excitability, migraines, short-term memory loss, poor concentration, anxiety, depression and confusion. Patients that are constantly confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms become depressed and have low self-esteem.

In many cases, most fibromyalgia symptoms are misleading in establishing an appropriate diagnose. They are difficult to relate with fibromyalgia, as they also occur to many other disorders and illnesses. Furthermore, the majority of patients confronted with fibromyalgia symptoms appear to be in perfect health and present no physical dysfunctions when they are examined by a specialist. Routine physical examinations and laboratory analysis are usually unable to reveal the presence of fibromyalgia. However, careful neurological examinations performed on people with fibromyalgia symptoms can trace abnormal brain activity, which is considered to be the main cause in generating the disorder.

The process of diagnosing fibromyalgia is performed mostly on patients’ reports of fibromyalgia symptoms and careful neurological examinations. However, there are also other ways of diagnosing the disorder. In all patients, the fibromyalgia symptoms of pain and discomfort seem to be located in specific points on the body, called trigger points or tender points. Although people with fibromyalgia experience different levels of pain in these trigger points, their presence is common to all patients. The presence of nine pairs of trigger points has been revealed in all people who suffer from fibromyalgia. These trigger points are located at the base of the skull, in the region of the neck, shoulders, chest, upper back, mid-back and lower back, buttocks, upper thighs, elbows and knees. The areas that surround the trigger points are also very sensitive and are referred to as tender points.

Fibromyalgia is considered to be a serious condition and it is very important to be revealed in time, in order to establish an appropriate treatment that can ameliorate fibromyalgia symptoms and undesirable effects. The muscular pain seems to be the major fibromyalgia symptom and it has been described in many ways: aching, burning, radiating or stabbing. However, apart from recidivating muscular pain, there are other fibromyalgia symptoms that can become very serious: depression, cognitive dysfunctions, confusion, lack of concentration, accelerated pulse, unstable blood pressure, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal swelling, diarrhea. If the disorder is not dealt with in time, it can lead to an aggravation of its symptoms, seriously endangering the lives of the affected persons.

So, if you want more information about fibromyalgia symptoms [http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com/fibromyalgia-symptoms.htm] and especially for fibromyalgia diet [http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com/fibromyalgia-diet.htm], please follow this link [http://www.fibromyalgia-info-center.com].

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Free, fibromyalgia webinars on functional medicine, teaching you what Dr. Shook has done with others, simply and effectively, so you can implement it today. Teaches everything, 100% free. Several $1000s of dollars in value. Limited time, check the “webinars” tab above.

Sometimes referred to as “fibro” and “the invisible disease,” fibromyalgia is a very debilitating that can strike anyone. Approximately three to six percent of the U.S. population suffers from this condition, which causes sufferers chronic pains and aches. The chronic pain and fatigue associated with this disease causes sufferers a general discomfort and a loss of the ability to function normally.

The earmarks of fibromyalgia are muscular aches and pains, stiffness of joints, and general fatigue. Most who suffer from fibromyalgia are faced with disturbed sleep, making it almost impossible to get a good night’s rest. This only makes the general aches and pains of the disease that much worse.

What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia causes widespread, chronic pain. No area of the body will remain untouched by the effects of fibro, though the pain is most commonly found in the back, shoulders, neck, and hands. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia have complained of a tingling or burning sensation, and numbness. Many who have been struck with fibro have experienced sensitized skin and nerve pain.

Other symptoms of fibro include impaired memory and concentration, anxiety, depression, dizziness, ringing in the ears, terrible headaches, and irritable bowels and bladder. Fibromyalgia most commonly causes sufferers a general, overall fatigue brought on by general pain, muscle ache, and sleeplessness.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a disease that is the focus of much intense scientific study. There are many theories about the causes of fibro, and in many cases it is the result of some trauma that sufferers have experienced. But there is much still unknown about this horrible disease, and modern medicine has still to pinpoint the cause of fibromyalgia. There is no known method of prevention. Scientific research indicates that some people may be genetically predisposed to fibromyalgia, but nothing has been accurately proven.

Is There a Cure For Fibromyalgia?

There is no known cure for fibromyalgia. In fact, as there is much still unknown about this disease and as there are no accurate tests for fibromyalgia, it is very hard to be diagnosed with this disease. Many doctors remain largely unfamiliar with the effects of fibro, and many doctors remain steadfast that fibromyalgia is not a true disease or physical ailment.

However, as awareness of fibromyalgia grows, new treatments are being explored. Sufferers of fibro have more options today, and as scientists learn more there is great hope that a true cure will be discovered in the future.

What Treatments are Available To Those Who Suffer From Fibromyalgia?

Over-the-counter pain medications can help to relieve some of the chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia. Most doctors will prescribe pain medication and antidepressants to those who suffer from fibro, and prescribe a light exercise regime to keep muscles loose and limber.

Daily stretching exercises, like yoga, can help alleviate some of the muscle pain associated with this disease. Hollistic methods and medicines are very popular with fibromyalgia sufferers. Proper diet and nutrition are very important to those who suffer from this disease, and there is a focus on eating healthy and treating the body very well.

As fibromyalgia causes sleeping problems, doctors have stressed the importance that those who have been diagnosed with fibro get plenty of healthy sleep. Plenty of sleep will lessen the fatigue and exhaustion that those with fibromyalgia almost constantly feel, and alleviate some of the pain in the muscles and joints.

What’s Next?

With no known cure, and no way to reverse the effects of fibromyalgia, sufferers are forced to live with the disease for the remainder of their lives – or until a cure is found. Treatment must remain strict, and diet and exercise programs followed explicitly. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia will not be able to function at any high-level capacity. They will not be able to engage in strenuous activities, or even to hold a full-time job in most cases. But by maintaining treatment and living inside the realm of their physical capacity, those who suffer from fibro greatly reduce the pain that they experience. When more is understood about this disease, and scientists are able to come up with a comprehensive cure, perhaps fibromyalgia will finally be wiped out.

High Quality Natural Health Products.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Free, fibromyalgia webinars on functional medicine, teaching you what Dr. Shook has done with others, simply and effectively, so you can implement it today. Teaches everything, 100% free. Several $1000s of dollars in value. Limited time, check the “webinars” tab above.

Step 0: Do Nothing

Women dealing with fibromyalgia have less pain if they sleep in a completely dark room. If that’s impossible, wear a sleep mask.

Step 1: Collect Information

The chronic pain disorder I called “sore all over” when I wrote this section ten years ago is now big news. Ninety percent of the 4 million Americans dealing with this debilitating, frustrating condition – known as fibromyalgia – are white women, and many of them are menopausal.

Neither cause nor cure for fibromyalgia is known. It is not a disease but a range of symptoms characterized by chronic, widespread pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist. (As one of my apprentices put it: “But I don’t hurt in all those places at once. The pain moves around. I never know where it will be next.”) Some women have a low fever in addition to pain. More than half of those with fibromyalgia also suffer from headaches, endometriosis, and/or irritable bowel syndrome.

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are quite variable, making diagnosis difficult. (Orthodox diagnosis is predicated on finding soreness at specific trigger points.) Fibromyalgia mimics aspects of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, hepatitis C, hypothyroidism, lupus, polymyalgia rheumatica, and early dementia. Many women with fibromyalgia are told their distress is “all in your mind.”

It isn’t in your mind (alone). Menopause can leave you feeling like you’ve been beaten on. Muscles respond to hormonal changes by feeling sore and cranky. Sleep loss can make you ache. (Non-restorative sleep is a hallmark of fibromyalgia.) Lack of calcium (and other minerals) can make your bones ache. Whether you are dealing with these challenges, or the greater problem of fibromyalgia, why not give Wise Woman Ways a try? The remedies listed here have been remarkably successful in helping many women.

“People with fibromyalgia aren’t just sensitive to pain; they also find loud noises, strong odors, and bright lights aversive.” – Daniel Clauw, MD, Director: Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, Georgetown University

Step 2: Engage the Energy

• Having a support group is one of the strongest factors in keeping fibromyalgia under control.




• Homeopathic Arnica is an amazing remedy for sore and aching muscles. Daily use of homeopathic Rhus toxicodendron reduced pain by 25 percent in those with fibromyalgia.




• Make a list of things you are sore (upset, angry) about. Where do these things live in your body? With the help of an experienced bodyworker, loosen those places. Women with fibromyalgia are very likely to be survivors of trauma (sexual or domestic violence, alcoholism).




• Go back to your Mother. Float in the ocean. Lie belly down on the earth. Naked. Let her ease you. Let her heal you.




• Listen to a relaxation tape. Have someone show you how to do the yoga position called the “Corpse Pose”. Learn how to bring yourself to a deep state of inner quiet and peaceful mind.




• Hypnotherapy can help you gain some degree of mental control over their symptoms. Cognitive behavior therapy is also helpful.

Step 3: Nourish and Tonify

• Consistent use of nourishing herbal infusions, especially comfrey leaf and stinging nettle, in place of coffee, tea, and sodas is the single most effective thing I know for mitigating and overcoming fibromyalgia.




• Gentle exercise – walks, yoga or tai chi practices – keeps muscles from weakening and becoming more painful. Experts suggest starting with as little as three minutes a day, and gradually building to at least four sessions of five minutes each per day. Persist; the reward is worth it.




• Regular consumption of yogurt also proves very helpful for those with fibromyalgia. Perhaps it is due to yogurt’s ability to strengthen and nourish immunity; some suspect fibromyalgia is a result of immune system malfunction.




• Magnesium is a critical nutrient for preventing pain in muscles and connective tissues. Legumes, whole grains, leafy greens and nourishing herbal infusions – like nettle and oatstraw – are the best sources.




• Moxibustion is also known as needleless acupuncture. Safe and easy to do at home by yourself, moxibustion gives fast relief from sore joints and aching muscles. It not only relieves pain but tonifies, decreasing future pain and gradually effecting a “cure.” You can buy a moxa “cigar” at an Oriental pharmacy or health food store. Bring the glowing end of the moxa (after lighting it) near the painful area and move it around in small slow spirals until the heat becomes too intense. (This may take a few minutes or many.) Pain relief is usually immediate and often lasts for twelve or more hours.

Step 4: Stimulate/Sedate

• Tinctures of willow bark or spirea (1-2 dropperfuls/1-2 ml is a dose) are highly recommended as important green allies by women dealing with fibromyalgia.




• St. Joan’s wort tincture – not capsules, not the tea – is a powerful ally for women with fibromyalgia. It is one of the best muscle relaxants I have ever used. A 25-30 drop dose not only stops but also prevents muscle aches. I have used it as frequently as every twenty minutes (for ten doses) when the occasion has necessitated it. St. Joan’s wort prevents soreness when taken after exercise; and even better if taken before. I take a dose every hour while on an airplane to prevent muscle aches and jetlag.




• Regular massage from an experienced therapist stimulates the circulation of blood and energy, relieves pain, reduces fatigue, and eases stiffness. Avoid deep tissue massage; it increases pain. Light strokes and gentle myofascial releases are more helpful. Chiropractic manipulations are of little benefit.




• Massage with heated stones and other heat treatments works wonders for some women. For others, cold treatments work better (but not too cold, and not for too long either, please).




• Ginger compresses, hot or cold, stir up circulation and mobilize the body’s own healing agents to take action and ease your pain. I grate several ounces of fresh ginger into simmering water, cook it gently for ten minutes, then soak a cloth in the liquid and use that as an application to the sore area.




• The National Institute of Health lists fibromyalgia as one of the few conditions that acupuncture can relieve.




• If lying down sleep makes the pain worse, slip into something relaxing: valerian, skullcap, or St. Joan’s wort tinctures, up to a dropperful/1 ml of any one, repeated twice if needed.

Step 5a: Use Supplements

• A study found little benefit from those with fibromyalgia taking either SAM-e or 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan – a precursor to serotonin). Do not use 5-HTP if you are taking St. Joan’s/John’s wort.




• Lack of sleep can quickly aggravate symptoms of fibromyalgia. (See Step 0.) If sleep confounds you, melatonin at bedtime, the lowest dose you can get, may help.

Step 5b: Use Drugs

• Essential oil of lavender was recommended by several women who have dealt with fibromyalgia for many years. Dilute with jojoba or olive oil and use as a rub.




• Orthodox treatment of fibromyalgia relies heavily on drugs, primarily antispasmodics, antidepressants and muscle-relaxants. But Celebrex, Vioxx, Valteran, amitriptyline (Elavil), fluoxetine (Prozac), vanlafaxine (Effecor), trazadone (Desyrel), alprazolam (Xanax), and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) can adversely affect the liver and disrupt the immune system.




• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen do not reduce fibromyalgia pain for most women.




• Tramadol (Ultram) is a drug which addresses both the altered brain chemicals and the pain signals of those with fibromyalgia.

Step 6: Break and Enter

• Beware invasive diagnostic tests. Many women report enduring endless rounds of tests trying to put a name to their pains with no success and at the price of physical, mental, and emotional distress.




• Injections of lidocaine, a drug that temporarily numbs nerves, are effective in relieving fibromyalgia pain for some women. Injections of capsaicin (from cayenne) relieve pain by destroying nerve endings.

________________________________________

Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.

Susun Weed, Copyright @ 2009
wisewoman@herbshealing.com

LEARN HOW TO PREVENT ILLNESS AND HEAL YOURSELF safely and easily the Wise Woman Way. Women’s health forum, FREE women’s forum, weblog, and email group. Topics include menopause, breast health, childbearing, fertility, disease prevention, nutritional advice, and cancer prevention. Visit the Wise Woman Web

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

It’s a constant refrain: We’re too stressed out. But how stressed out are we really? An adrenal saliva test can tell you whether your cortisol (the stress hormone) is too high or too low, whether your circadian rhythm (the sleep-wake cycle) is normal, and also pin point the cause of your symptoms: adrenal fatigue or high adrenal hormones.

Symptoms of adrenal fatigue

• Fatigue
• Slow to get going in the morning
• Energy crash in the afternoon
• Craving sweets, caffeine, or nicotine
• Unstable behavior; moodiness
• Shaky, light-headed, or irritable if meals are delayed
• Inability to stay asleep
• Dizziness when moving from sitting to standing

Symptoms of high adrenal hormones

• Excess belly fat
• Insulin resistance (high blood sugar)
• Insomnia
• Not feeling rested in the morning
• Women grow facial hair; men grow breasts
• PCOS in women (polycystic ovarian syndrome).

How to do the adrenal saliva test

The adrenal saliva test requires you to collect a small vial of saliva several times throughout the day. Adrenal stress is always caused by something else, such as unstable blood sugar, a chronic infection, or an autoimmune disease. So the importance of the adrenal saliva test is that it allows us to track the progress of a protocol.

One test is a good place to start, but the second and third tests tell us if we’re on the right track with a protocol; adrenal health should improve as conditions resolve. If things do not improve, it means we must dig deeper to find out what is taxing the body.

Measuring the circadian rhythm

An abnormal sleep-wake cycle, or circadian rhythm, is one symptom of adrenal stress. A normal circadian rhythm shows high cortisol in the morning and low cortisol at night. This makes us alert when we wake up and tired before bed. For many, this rhythm is backwards, causing fatigue in the morning and insomnia at night. In addition, instead of the usual gradual decline throughout the day, cortisol may suddenly drop in the afternoon, causing an energy crash.

The stages of stress

By measuring circadian rhythm, precursor hormones (DHEA and 17 hydroxyprogesterone), and cortisol levels, the adrenal saliva test can tell you whether you are in the “alarm reaction” of high adrenal hormones, in adrenal exhaustion, or somewhere in between. Contrary to popular belief, one does not necessarily progress from alarm reaction to adrenal fatigue; adrenal function can jump around between phases, or stay in one phase for years.

The adrenal saliva test also measures total SIgA (secretory antibodies). SIgA levels measure the impact of stress on the immune system. When SIgA is low, it means a person is more susceptible to food intolerances, infections, and other assaults on the immune system.

A variety of herbal and nutritional compounds can profoundly influence adrenal function, but they are not the first line of defense. You and your doctor must first ferret out what is causing your adrenal stress and make addressing that a priority. Only then is adrenal support appropriate.

Ask my office how you can support your adrenal health.

Free, fibromyalgia webinars on functional medicine, teaching you what Dr. Shook has done with others, simply and effectively, so you can implement it today. Teaches everything, 100% free. Several $1000s of dollars in value. Limited time, check the “webinars” tab above.