Among the most challenging non-life threatening medical problems individuals deal with is fibromyalgia syndrome. In addition to being difficult to manage and impossible to cure it remains highly controversial among medical professionals because there are currently no tests or studies that can confirm the diagnosis. No panaceas exist for fibromyalgia pain; however, there have been hundreds of proposed treatments to help manage fibromyalgia pain and the accompanying symptoms. Like everything else associated with fibromyalgia how an individual with fibromyalgia pain responds to each treatment therapy may be highly variable. What treatments are likely to be beneficial in managing fibromyalgia pain?

Individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome experience numerous symptoms that can vary greatly between individuals. One symptom that all fibromyalgia patients uniformly complain about is the intense muscle pain and weakness. Fortunately exercise is the one treatment that has been shown to consistently reduce fibromyalgia pain. Even walking around your neighborhood for 30 minutes on a daily basis can significant decrease muscle pain and improve strength, stamina and functionality. The key is to engage in physical exercise on a daily basis and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your activity. Resistance or weight training exercises using light weights, stretch bands or fixed machines is even better at helping to manage fibromyalgia pain since well-conditioned muscles are less likely to ache.

Heat when applied to tender muscles has been shown to be helpful in reducing fibromyalgia pain temporarily. The use of hot jetted water from a whirlpool, jacuzzi or even a shower head particularly after resistance training exercises has been particularly effective.

Physical therapy, osteopathic manipulation, shiatsu and massage can all be helpful in managing fibromyalgia pain. Unfortunately, in addition to experiencing diffuse muscle pain most fibromyalgia patients also have exaggerated pain responses to even gentle touch or physical stimulus making any type of manual manipulation intolerable.

Acupuncture has produced mixed results when used as an adjunct to managing fibromyalgia pain. Several small studies actually demonstrated some effectiveness at managing fibromyalgia pain as well as associated fatigue and anxiety. Unfortunately, several other similar studies failed to produce any documented benefit.

All fibromyalgia patients experience chronically impaired sleep cycles. The insomnia worsens daytime fatigue as well as the constant muscle pain. Improving sleep patterns through the use of prescription sleep medications such as Lunesta and Ambien can be constructive in managing fibromyalgia pain. The addition of OTC melatonin is usually harmless and may have an additive effect in improving sleep hygiene.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological counseling play a crucial role in managing fibromyalgia pain. Many fibromyalgia patients suffer from coexisting psychiatric pathology which if not addressed makes it impossible to improve the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia.

The severity of the physical, psychological and cognitive symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are directly correlated with and exacerbated by stress, tension and anxiety. Inexpensive relaxation techniques such as mediation and yoga when performed properly on a regular basis can dramatically lessen symptoms.

Many homeopathic dietary supplements have been used to help manage fibromyalgia pain including 5-HTP, St. John’s wort, L-Carnitine and SAM-e. Though there may be anecdotal evidence that these products help manage fibromyalgia pain there is no published scientific evidence to substantiate that any of these products actually work in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Despite the infinite variety of homeopathic and non-pharmacological therapies for managing fibromyalgia pain most individuals take an inordinate number of prescription medications. This is due primarily to the diversity of debilitating symptoms, the lack of one magical drug as well as noncompliance with alternative therapies. Frequently pain and sleep medications are used for symptom relief while anti-seizure medications are useful for modulating nerve and muscle pain. Antidepressant medications are the most commonly utilized group of medications because they address a wide spectrum of physical and psychological symptoms associated with fibromyalgia syndrome. Other frequently prescribed medications include muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety sedatives.

* There are no universally accepted cures or treatments for fibromyalgia.
* Successful treatment programs adopt a multi-disciplinary approach by incorporating different therapies and lifestyle modifications with the primary objective of reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
* Response to different treatment modalities is highly variable.
* Though many doctors believe fibromyalgia is a non-disease it is important to find and work with an understanding doctor who has experience with fibromyalgia syndrome.
* Those individuals who remain most active despite their fibromyalgia pain tend to have the best long term outcomes.