How is fibromyalgia treated?

Fibromyalgia treatment is rather simple but equally daunting: to treat FM you must treat the symptoms. One of the most common and difficult symptoms is fatigue.  “Fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. You may wake up in the mornings tired despite sleeping through the night. Simple everyday activities can be exhausting.” (Healthline) This is a widespread topic with treatment from simple home remedies like exercising more, practicing yoga, and taking Vitamin D supplements, to Tai Chi and massage therapy. But home remedies and simple solutions aside, physicians nationwide and in many cases internationally have been looking at more comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment approaches to FM.

Living with fibromyalgia can be challenging, as the chronic pain and other symptoms can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available to manage fibromyalgia symptoms and improve overall well-being. In this article, we will explore both traditional and new treatments for fibromyalgia and highlight the unique approach offered by Physician’s Choice Concierge.

Can Biofeedback treat Fibromyalgia?

Two of many alternate research methods currently in play include biofeedback and electrical stim therapy to deal with several overarching symptoms of FM. According to Healthline, Biofeedback is about learning how to control your body functions. This can help reduce muscle tension and FM pain. There are no serious side effects associated with this technique, but some people can feel overwhelmed or exhausted after a session. The Evox system is one such platform that can both diagnose and treat FM. The Biofeedback sessions are put in place through videos that the patient watches and responds to the impulses of what they are seeing.  This is essentially training the brain in an attempt to correct dysregulated neural pathways that some neurologists believe have  patterns to minimize symptoms like insomnia and restless nights of sleep which severely plagues FM patients and affects their everyday lives.

Traditional Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Traditional treatments for fibromyalgia often include a combination of medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Medications such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure drugs can help alleviate pain and improve sleep quality. Physical therapy and exercise programs tailored to individual needs can help increase strength, flexibility, and reduce pain. Additionally, lifestyle modifications, including stress management techniques, good sleep hygiene, and a healthy diet, can contribute to managing fibromyalgia symptoms.

New and Innovative Approaches

In recent years, there have been advancements in understanding and treating fibromyalgia. Emerging treatments include alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). These approaches focus on addressing pain, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being.

Is Alternating Current Electrical Therapy working for FM patients?

Another Fibromyalgia treatment is electrical stimulation therapy.  One complaint many FM patients have is a tingling and numbing sensation in the extremities, hands and feet.  This is also known as peripheral neuropathy. The Tesla Max unit is the first of its kind to primarily use alternating current versus direct current. This is important because the patient is able to maintain much higher voltages comfortably without being in pain. This ultimately allows for the patient to sustain much deeper muscle contractions which lead to added perfusion, circulation, and blood flow to the localized treatment area where the pads are placed.

This unit has specific protocols for both peripheral neuropathy and FM, dependent upon lead placement and voltage parameters set by the manufacturer and studies done on this malady. There is no known cure for FM. While there are a myriad of symptoms patients must face on a regular basis, advanced treatment therapies like Biofeedback and alternating current e-stim therapies are paving the way to keeping these symptoms away for longer and allowing patients to take back, and more importantly to enjoy, their day-to-day lives.