How do I get Relief from Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition to treat because there is no established cause, and there are no established cures. The condition is characterized by pain and sensitivity to pressure throughout the body, and it comes hand in hand with other symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, cognitive difficulties such as short term memory loss or an inability to focus, emotional issues such as depression, and physical issues such as muscle pain and aches, chronic headaches, nausea, and joint pain. To gain relief from fibromyalgia, you will need to treat the symptoms of the condition individually; this may involve taking medications designed to give relief from fibromyalgia symptoms, exercise, or changing daily routines and habits.

Treatment for depression can offer relief from fibromyalgia in many ways. Depression can exacerbate other symptoms, making it difficult for the sufferer to get motivated to make other changes. Depression can be treated with medication as well as therapy administered by a mental health professional, and you may even see improvement in other areas such as sleep patterns. A disruption of sleep patterns is very often associated with depression, and not surprisingly, both are symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Relief from fibromyalgia can also be gained on a physical level. Exercise, stretching, and pain medication can be combined to combat the effects of fibromyalgia, though results will vary from person to person. Keeping the muscles strong and limber, however, is a good step toward ensuring the health of the body and the reduction of pain in many cases. Over the counter painkillers may help reduce pain, though in more severe cases, a doctor-prescribed painkiller may be in order.

Many doctors believe fibromyalgia is caused by elevated stress levels throughout day to day life, so in just about all cases, relief from fibromyalgia starts with changing daily routines to lower stress levels. This may mean working less or differently, or it may mean changing the way you interact with colleagues and family members. In some cases, you may be encouraged to visit a mental health specialist who can help you determine the areas of high stress in your life. Those areas can then be addressed to reduce your overall stress level. Other issues such as anger, fear, or anxiety may also be a cause of many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, so relief from fibromyalgia may come after addressing these root problems.