Fibromyalgia: What a Pain!

Fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome because it is a collection of symptoms with no apparent relation to each other.
You might be diagnosed with fibromyalgia if you have the following symptoms:

• A history of widespread pain lasting more than three months
• Pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist
• Eleven or more established tender points that show extreme pain when pressure is applied Other symptoms include all-over aches; insomnia; chronic aches in the hips, neck, or low back; stomach trouble; and intolerance to cold. Fibromyalgia seems to strike after a stressful or traumatic event, such as an accident, marriage, divorce, or death of a loved one. Ninety percent of fibromyalgia sufferers are women.

The true cause of fibromyalgia seems to allude physicians, but herbalists and physicians alike have theories, although much of it has been blamed on psychological disorders. Some believe it to be deep-seated stress or an immune deficiency. Because stress can have the effect of lowering the immune system, these seem to tie together. Others blame the disease on a virus. And still others believe the problem starts with poor digestion, which then leads to poor absorption, which can lead to a mineral or nutritional deficiency. What they all seem to agree on is that fibromyalgia is linked to a lowered immune system brought on by stress. When our immune is lowered we are susceptible to every disease. Here’s a game plan for addressing fibromyalgia. The best plan for dealing with fibromyalgia that I have seen work in my practice includes this set of actions:

• Support digestion. Using herbs such as papaya, chew properly, eat while not under stress, etc.
• Cleanse the colon.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables of an alkaline nature, which include most green vegetables, and fruits such as apples and pears.
• Reduce stress, if possible.
• Have frequent bodywork done, such as massage or reflexology.
• Get gentle exercise to improve circulation.
• Take your herbs.

Now let’s talk about some herbs that have been used to help this annoying syndrome.