Some Natural Remedies for Fibromyalgia Pain
By Dr Catherine W Dunne MSc. D. (Hon), RGN, Reiki Master (RGMT), M.H.I.T: Master Acupressure, Practitioner of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue/Myo-fascia Massages, Infrared Treatments, Vibrational Sound and Colour Therapist, Tissue Salt Advisor, Pendulum Healing Dowser, Chakra Practitioner , Tao Cosmic Healing Practitioner, Practitioner of Plant and Herb Medicine and Nurse.
When you live with fibromyalgia, you face daily challenges that many others don’t. Chronic muscle pain, nonstop fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and depression are all issues that can divide your life into ‘good days’ and ‘bad days.’
Fibromyalgia affects approximately one in 50 people – mostly women. There is currently no cure and no one knows what causes it- yet. Therefore, finding the best fibromyalgia pain relief is an ongoing process.
In this blog, we’ll examine eight herbs/spices that can provide relief for your symptoms, along with three natural treatments that can make a big difference in how you feel.
1. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
While no studies have been done on the effect of St. John’s wort on fibromyalgia symptoms, it is often used to treat depression, which is commonly associated with fibromyalgia.
As a herbal therapy, it’s usually well-tolerated, although some people may experience an upset stomach or a skin rash.
According to this medically-reviewed article published on WebMD, an analysis of studies examining the effect of St. John’s wort on depression found that the herb was as safe and effective as selective SSRI antidepressants like Sertraline and Prozac. However, if you are currently taking antidepressants, speak to your healthcare practitioner, as mixing St. John’s wort with some medications may cause illness.
2. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea is often used to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu, and to reduce symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, and fever.
Herbalists also recommend echinacea to help the body fight infection.
Echinacea contains antioxidants such as flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid, which may protect your body from the pain and stiffness associated with fibromyalgia. It can also activate chemicals in the body that reduce inflammation while strengthening your immune system.
3. Turmeric
Dried and ground turmeric roots have been used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory for centuries, particularly in India. More recently, turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, has been called the ‘herbal ibuprofen.’
One study found that curcumin was highly effective at reducing pain and swelling in arthritic joints. When taken as directed, it can deliver a similar benefit to those living with fibromyalgia, so if you already enjoy turmeric in your meals, here’s a good reason to keep indulging! Works best in combination of Black Pepper or Piperine.
4. Cayenne (Capsaicin)
Capsaicin has powerful pain-relieving properties when applied to the skin. It reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain, in your body. When there is less substance P, the pain messages no longer reach the brain, and you feel relief.
What are the benefits of topically applying cayenne pepper?
Topical analgesic. It desensitises local nerves and decreases pain due to certain conditions. These include post-herpetic neuralgia caused by shingles. Studies show that applying 0.025% to 0.075% capsaicin cream topically may also aid in short-term pain relief. It eases pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis. It also relieves pain due to neuralgias. These include shingles and diabetic neuropathy.
5. Arnica (Arnica)
Arnica has been used for treating bruises, inflammations, and muscle pain since medieval times.
Today, many different topical remedies include it as a natural treatment for muscle pain, as these treatments tend to be well-tolerated and have few side effects.
Rubbing an arnica-based salve on sore joints and muscles can provide a measure of relief from the pain and stiffness associated with fibromyalgia and even improve joint function.
Research has suggested that certain arnica gels work as well as ibuprofen in reducing hand pain associated with osteoarthritis.
6. Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender oil and flowers are both used to create natural remedies for insomnia, stress, and anxiety. Since fibromyalgia patients often suffer from all three, taking lavender as a tea, tincture, or topical treatment can make it easier to sleep at night. One study concluded that lavender essential oil improved the sleep quality of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) who had trouble sleeping.
When applied as an oil, lavender has an added benefit of helping to reduce pain and improve blood circulation, rubbing a massage oil over sore joints and muscles may give you the pain relief you need.
STOP here! Handle with caution!
Lavender is so dangerous…. In doing some of the research, though, I just had to laugh…. Because according to a Google search,
Lavender can cause: – blurred vision – difficulty breathing – burning pain in the throat – burns to the eye – confusion – decreased level of consciousness – diarrhea (watery and bloody) – stomach pain – vomiting – rash – skin irritation – allergic reactions such as hives OKAY….OKAY….STOP!
PPP-LEASE…. give us a break …
In case you’re wondering…..
Now that artificial intelligence is in charge, the information is pulled from a variety of articles and is in an “experimental” stage at this time.
If you didn’t know all of this, what on earth would you think when you read all of these things? The list reads like a Big Pharma advertisement (risk section), doesn’t it?
Good GRIEF!
It’s becoming more and more evident that the powers that be (PTB) are truly, TRULY trying to crush use of natural, good-for-you plants for health. It’s ridiculous to be afraid of lavender, one of the safest, broad-use and beautiful of the medicinal herbs.
I love Lavender. Don’t you?
7. Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Black cohosh, which was first used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, became a popular treatment for women’s health issues in the mid-1950s.
Today, black cohosh is often used to ease the symptoms of menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), acne, and osteoporosis.
Black cohosh root contains several chemicals that work to reduce pain in the body, making it a viable treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms. These chemicals can also have a similar effect to serotonin, which boosts the mood and can help reduce feelings of depression.
8. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle is a flowering plant that is frequently used to treat various health conditions, mainly liver problems like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and jaundice.
In addition, it may lower cholesterol levels and help people manage type 2 diabetes.
Many people have found that milk thistle is highly effective in the treatment of painful conditions like fibromyalgia. In addition, it helps strengthen the digestive tract and aids in the healing of irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
Additional Natural Therapies
The soothing and healing effects of the above herbs can be sustained and even improved with natural therapies that also target the stiffness and soreness caused by fibromyalgia. They include but are not limited to exercise massage and acupuncture.
1. Exercise
Fibromyalgia patients might find exercising difficult at first, but building up gradually and persevering can be beneficial. Over time, your pain and discomfort may decrease as muscle strength increases.
Exercises like swimming, walking, and cycling, are likely to improve health and the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. A physical therapist can help you put together a program that works for you.
2. Massage
Massage may provide chronic pain relief when received regularly. There are different types available to help you cope with fibromyalgia-related stiffness and discomfort:
Swedish massages use long strokes to target and relax the muscle’s superficial layers.
A deep tissue massage uses direct pressure and slow strokes to affect the deeper layers of your muscles and relieve chronic tension.
Myofascial release involves stretching and manipulating the connective tissues, making them more flexible and allowing you to move more freely.
Your massage therapist will work with you to determine the type of massage that will reduce your pain and improve your comfort the most.
3. Acupuncture/Acupressure
Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, which treats a wide range of pain conditions. A core principle of traditional Chinese medicine is: “Where pain exists, Qi is blocked.” Qi (or Chi) is the name of the life force (energy) that permeates the human body. Practitioners believe that when your Qi is blocked, it can cause pain or illness
Acupuncture can relieve pain by facilitating a more efficient flow of Qi through the painful areas. During your treatment, which lasts anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, the acupuncturist will insert several thin, sterilized needles in strategic locations to open up all of your Qi channels.
You may notice that your pain has improved following an acupuncture treatment session. It may have to do with the fact that acupuncture triggers endorphins, which are natural painkillers that can help decrease pain perception.
Conclusion
Managing uncomfortable fibromyalgia symptoms improves your quality of life. The remedies and treatments in this blog can all play an important role in controlling pain and depression and improving mobility. A consultation with your healthcare practitioner can result in a holistic treatment plan that improves your outlook and your wellbeing.
My fibromyalgia clients all love the Infrared Myofascial Massages and the topical Cayenne Balms. Some even go as hot as 350000 units heat on the Scoville chart.
Thank you for showing continued interests in my blogs.
Until next time,
Catherine
CWD 12 May 2024 Ireland
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