Dr. Fitness Recommendations For Fibromyalgia

If you have a close friend or family member who has been dealing with the condition known as Fibromyalgia, you know how debilitating it could be. I recently talked about the condition on one of our previous shows but I wanted to make sure our listeners who suffer from this or know someone with the condition can use this information as a resource.
Fibromyalgia is considered to be a syndrome—a set of symptoms that occur together but do not have a known cause. 3.7 million Americans have fibromyalgia, still a very poorly understood disorder characterized by widespread pain and tenderness, but also often associated with nervousness, fatigue, depression and insomnia. In addition, many will suffer from chemical sensitivities, allergies, irritable leg syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia and a host of other symptoms. Women are far more likely to be diagnosed with the condition than men.
Fibromyalgia is different than most diseases in that it takes away the patients ability to fight.There are theories as to what may cause it, but there is not enough evidence to support any single theory. People—especially women—who have a family member with fibromyalgia are more likely to develop it themselves. It has been recognized as a medical disorder only since the 1980s.
Some theories suggest that fibromyalgia may be linked to:
•Oversensitive nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. Oversensitivity may be due to changes in chemicals in the brain or spinal cord that regulate pain. As a result, the person senses pain more easily, and widespread muscle pain occurs.
•An imbalance in the brain chemicals that control mood, which results in a lowered tolerance for pain and may also cause an unrestful sleep cycle and fatigue. Once this occurs, a person becomes less physically active, and the muscles and tissues become more sensitive and painful and more easily irritated.
•An imbalance of hormones such as cortisol and growth hormone. Their release is controlled by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Imbalances of these hormones can result in fatigue, mood changes, concentration and memory difficulties, a lowered tolerance for pain, and other symptoms.
•A disturbance in the deep phase of sleep. Some chemicals, such as growth hormone, are secreted by the body during this phase of sleep. If sleep is disrupted, the body produces less of the hormone. Disturbed sleep may be both a cause and an effect of the pain of fibromyalgia.
Many people connect the beginning of their fibromyalgia symptoms to a certain event. These events can include an illness such as the flu, an injury or surgery, or emotional trauma and stress. An event of this type combined with other factors, such as increased sensitivity to pain and an ongoing sleep disturbance, may lead to fibromyalgia syndrome in some people.

What Can You Do For Fibromyalgia?
First and foremost, it is imperative to get properly diagnosed and typically there is some underlying problem such as herniated discs or other injuries that may not have been identified and treated. Here is some of the typical treatments that are available. There are medicines to help you sleep better, relax muscles, or relieve muscle and joint pain. Medicines your doctor may suggest include tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for fibromyalgia
Examples
citalopram hydrobromide (Celexa)
escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro)
fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac)
paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil)
sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft)

•Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), anticonvulsants (also called antiepileptics), mixed (or dual) reuptake inhibitors or, less often, nonprescription pain relievers.
•Exercise therapy to relieve sore muscles and increase energy.
•Cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you learn to manage your pain.
•Acupunture
•Chiropractic Manipulation
*Nutritional Supplementation and Dietary Modifications

All of these therapies have their place and should be used in some combination. I want you to also check out two fantastic website for even more info on proper supplementation and Chiropractic therapy. Dr. Paul Whitcomb's website www.stopfibro.com and Dr. Rodger Murphree's website www.treatingandbeating.com