Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
According to Modern Medicine
“The prominent feature of FMS [Fibromyalgia Syndrome] is chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain, but it is usually accompanied by numerous other multi-systemic dysfunctions. ‘Fibro’ refers to the fibrous tissue, ‘myo’ refers to the muscles and ‘algia’ refers to pain.”
Fibromyalgia shares many features with Chronic fatigue syndrome, as many of the clinical features/signs and symptoms of the two ailments over lap.
Musco skeletal pain predominates in fibromyalgia whereas lassitude dominates the chronic fatigue syndromes.
Fibromyalgia, or Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is not a new condition. It was known as muscular rheumatism in the 19th century and Fibrositis throughout most of the 20th century. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) developed a definition for research purposes using the term “fibromyalgia.” The research definition, based on a history of widespread pain, also included pain in at least 11 of 18 tender point sites throughout the body on digital palpitation. By introducing this definition of fibromyalgia, rheumatologists essentially took ownership of the illness.
In addition to the compulsory pain and tenderness required for research classification of FMS, a mix and match of additional clinical symptoms and signs can contribute importantly to the patient’s burden of illness like:
Neurological Manifestations: Numbness and tingling in the muscles, cramps, muscle weakness, headaches, generalized weakness, sensitivity to light and sound.
Neuro-cognitive Manifestations: Poor concentration and short-term memory loss, impaired speed of performance, inability to multi-task, and/or cognitive overload.
Fatigue: Persistent and reactive fatigue accompanied by reduced physical and mental stamina.
Sleep Dysfunction: Sleep is un-refreshing. There may be disturbance in sleep quantity or rhythm including daytime sleep; hypersomnia or night-time insomnia.
Autonomic and/or Neuro-endocrine Manifestations: Irregular heartbeat, dizziness, heat/cold intolerance, respiratory disturbances, intestinal and bladder disturbances, stress intolerance, blunted emotions and/or reactive depression.
Stiffness: It is common to have generalized or regional stiffness that is most severe upon awakening and typically lasts for hours. Stiffness can return during periods of inactivity during the day.
Modern Medicines Line of treatment for Fibromyalgia:
In Allopathy- conventional system of medicine, treatment for fibromyalgia usually is – anti depressant and NSAIDS. Both of the medicines are known for their toxic side effects. However the worst part is , whilst the patient is developing the signs and symptoms of any of the ailments and taking painkillers, antacids etc for initial symptoms, these drugs because of their side effects could worsen and fast track the symptoms.
Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue syndrome according to Ayurveda:
Ayurveda considers Fibromyalgia as Angamarda (Sanskrit term meaning – Body Ache)
Whereas fatigue syndrome can be compared with Klama (Sanskrit term – meaning Excessive fatigue)
Ayurveda gives common reasons for both of the above mentioned clinical conditions which are a result of disturbed digestion and metabolism, leading to accumulation of toxins. These toxins are formed in the gastrointestinal system initially however due to incorrect diagnosis and side effects of modern medication the toxins travel into various channels of the body mainly joints and muscles giving varied symptoms of pain, fatigue, lethargy etc.
Causes of Fibromalgia
The reasons for disturbed metabolism can be the following mix and match of incorrect dietary and sedentary lifestyle habits including:
- Over-eating
- Excessive stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Sleeping during day time
- Over intake of alcohol/tea/caffeine/fizzy drinks and other stimulants
- Increased intake of sour/salty/spicy tastes
- Excessive intake of fermented food like breads, yogurt and other bakery food
- Over intake of the south Indian dishes like idli/dosa
- Overindulgence of meat and sea food
- Over intake of painkillers, antacids, antibiotics
- Psychological conditions such as depression, feeling low, anger and anxiety
- Stopping natural urges of urination, excretion, flatulence, sleep, hunger, thirst etc. are also reasons that can lead to tissue toxicity and thus Fibromyalgia.
A detailed history of the patient’s physical, emotional, mental, diet and lifestyle habits you can evaluate the reasons of the disease.
Thus Ayurveda clearly mentions that accumulation of the Toxins in body tissues disturbs normal function of these body tissues and gives rise to the clinical condition like- Fibromyalgia.
Ayurveda Body Cure’s treatment plan for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Correcting digestive ailments like hyperacidity, constipation, unsatisfactory bowel movements, anorexia etc. by Ayurvedic herbal remedies we help you to attain normal physiology. Then eliminate all the toxins slowly and steadily through various channels of the body, facilitating healthy nutrition for optimum formation of body tissues.
This automatically eliminates pain, mental and physical fatigue and associated symptoms leading to normal body functions.
Energy, enthusiasm, willingness to work will all be a result of the above automatically as the body gets disease free slowly but steadily.
All the above are done with a holistic approach of Customised Ayurvedic consultations, where by our experienced Ayurvedic Physicians will give you an individualised plan of the following:
Herbal remedies for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
After detailed consultation with the Ayurvedic consultant a herbal combination is prepared using various herbs like Shatavari – Asparagus racemes, Ashwagandha – Withania sominefera, Pippali mool – Piper longum, Sunthi – Zinziber officinale, etc.
This customized herbal medication is prepared considering your individual body constitution, climatic conditions, and diet & lifestyle habits along with your other health issues.
Diet and lifestyle recommendation for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
FMS is lifestyle associated disorder. According to Ayurveda the first line of treatment to any disease is to rule out and stop the influence of causative factors. This helps to stop the break the pathology even more effectively.
Panchakarma/Detoxification for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Detoxification is advised when necessary by the Ayurvedic consultant to flush out toxins out of your body. This multiplies the effect of the medications and also helps to restore the disturbed equilibrium of the body. Medicated enemas and Nasal medication are suggested after consultation, considering the stage of the disease.
Ayurveda body therapies for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Therapies like Abhyanga (relaxing full body massage), Mardana(Deep tissue massage), Pindasweda (herbal poultice massage), Shiroabhyanga (head neck and shoulder massage), etc are also suggested, which helping de-stressing thus acting on the root cause of the disease.
Yoga postures and breathing techniques for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Postures such as Suryanamaskar (sun salutations), triangle pose, cat camel pose etc. and Breathing techniques such as kapalbhanti – fast bellowing of the stomach, anulom-vilom, etc. are very helpful if done on a daily basis for 20 -30 minutes altogether.
