Natural Health Alternatives

There is good news for those who suffer from Fibromyalgia since its symptoms are similar to arthritis, there are many natural and less risky treatment options that can ease the pain and reduce symptoms.

Dr Mark Stengler,ND , who is a naturopathic physician says ,he has found that natural therapies work so well and with so few side effects that there’s every reason to turn to these first. He says the fascinating thing about fibromyalgia is that there is no single root cause. Rather, it can result from any of a number of very different causes or catalysts, including injury such as whiplash, food allergies, hormone imbalances (low thyroid, for example), digestive problems, metal toxicity, neurotransmitter imbalances and more.

The most common complaints fibromyalgia patients have are insomnia, fatigue, muscle pain, tender points (spots tender to the touch), depression and digestive problems.Dr Stengler  starts a testing process to evaluate hormone balances, including cortisol and DHEA, as well as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones. For patients who have a history of eating fish that may contain mercury (this includes deep water fish such as tuna, swordfish and shark) or who have several mercury fillings, he tests for metal toxicity since this can cause an increase in perceived pain. He may also measure how well digestion and nutrient absorption are functioning, since these factors too can amplify symptoms.

Once Dr Stengler has determined weather his patients have fibromyalgia ,he perscribes natural fibromyalgia treatments  aimed at keeping the disease from getting worse, and hopefully even reversing it. They are:

• Calcium and magnesium, to relax tight muscles and calm nerves

• Vitamin D, which reduces inflammation

• 5-HTP and SAMe increase serotonin, leading to reduction in pain signals

• MSM as a natural anti-inflammatory

• Sugar D-ribose to improve energy production within cells

• Neprinol, which was specifically formulated to stop and reverse fibromyalgia and may be effective for some.

He will also give patients some specific homeopathic substances to reduce muscle pain, including Rhus Tox (for stiffness and muscle ache that gets worse in cold weather), Cimicifuga racemosa (for muscle pain that feels like bruising, especially helpful when fibromyalgia affects the neck to mid-back) and Bryonia alba (for muscle and joint pain that is worse with motion).

Some of his patients who tested for food sensitivities were to avoid foods that can aggravate symptoms. All patients with fibromyalgia were given an anti-inflammatory diet with lots of cold water fish (ones that don’t contain significant mercury, including salmon and sardines) along with loads of vegetables, and moderate amounts of fruit, nuts and lean red meat. Dr. Stengler has patients add anti-inflammatory spices like – turmeric, garlic, onions and ginger, for example — to their diets as well, and for those with poor digestion he prescribes digestive enzymes. For them to ease their pain and stress , he occasionally recommends chiropractic and/or acupuncture treatments, and he advises patients to develop good stress-control habits… deep breathing, exercises.

 Dr. Stengler believes that fibromyalgi responds so well to natural treatments ,he thinks it’s the best first-line approach for everyone who suspects they may have it. Even for those who opt to take drugs, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor if you can take natural substances to complement your treatment.