Homeopathic Remedies for Fibromyalgia

     Homeopathy is a non-toxic system of medicine used to treat illness and relieve discomfort of a wide variety of health conditions. It is practiced by licensed physicians and other qualified prescribers in many regions of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the U.K. The U. S. Department of Health describes homeopathy as a "whole medical system" developed over 200 years ago and practiced in the United States since the early nineteenth century. The principle of homeopathy is to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself by ingesting very small doses of highly diluted substances prepared according to guidelines similar to non-prescription, over-the-counter drugs and are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

     A double blind study done by the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine concluded that individualized homeopathy has efficacy in treatment of fibromyalgia. Participants in the study showed significant improvements in tender point count, tender point pain, quality of life, global health, and less depression.

     Experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend a holistic approach. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding stress, changing sleep habits, regular exercise and reassessing nutritional intake, are critical in managing fibromyalgia. Alternative or complementary medicines for pain and stress reduction have become standardized care. Meditation and yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage therapy are all considered part of the "best practices" milieu.

     Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps to relieve the pain and discomfort of Fibromyalgia, and has been proven to help patients to the point of them not needing to take their pain killers or not requiring as high of a dose, as well as having a better quality of sleep.

     Bath Therapy: Consists of soaking in a mineral bath for about 20 minutes daily. Mineral baths usually consist of magensium, potassium and calcium.

     Chiropractic and Osteopathic Manipulation: Chiropractic helps to properly align the spine, while osteopathic focuses on re alignment of the muscles and bones.

     Herbal supplements and homeopathic medicine have also been found to be effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia and, in many instances, have replaced the use of analgesics, beta blockers, antidepressants and anticonvulsant medications. As with all forms of treatment, a professional should be consulted before beginning any course of therapy or medication to reduce the risk of drug interactions.

     When taking homeopathic remedies, it is recommended to take as few doses as necessary. With homeopathy, taking more pellets is not recommended, but increasing the frequency of the remedy may be needed to get the full effect of low potency remedies. At first, when there is the greatest amount of discomfort, the remedy may need to be taken every hour. As it diminishes, taking a dose every four hours is common. If no improvement is noticeable after a few days, it is not recommended to take further doses of the same remedy.

     There are many possible homeopathic treatments for fibromyalgia, to be chosen from based on various specific details of the person seeking treatment. A correctly-chosen remedy can work gently and efficiently to relieve discomfort and help the body heal itself. If an illness or condition is chronic or serious, it is best to consult an experienced prescriber for a remedy that more deeply suits the person’s needs. Chronic conditions like fibromyalgia take many years to develop. Homeopathic remedies may need to be taken regularly for several years. However, patients can expect to feel at least partial relief from some symptoms within the first few days of starting the homeopathic treatment program.

     It’s important to choose the remedy whose description most closely matches the symptoms. The more a remedy’s pattern of action is similar to the person’s response to the stress or illness, the more efficiently natural defenses can overcome the problems and return a person to a better state of health.

     Here is a list of popular homeopathic remedies for Fibromyalgia symptoms:

Arnica
Aurum Metallicum
Bryonia
Calcarea carbonica
Causticum
Cimicifuga
Cocculus
Gelsemium
Hypericum
Kalmia latifolia
Nux vomica
Ranunculus bulbosus
Rhus toxicodendron
Ruta graveolens

     Although most homeopathic remedies are in pill form and for internal use, there are a select number of homeopathic remedies that are available with external applications such as ointments, gels, or sprays. Although they have a similar degree of effectiveness, each has certain benefits and detriments.

     Homeopathy can often provide relief from the unpredictable, sometimes debilitating, aches and pains of fibromyalgia. Western medicine has made some advances in the recognition and treatment of fibromyalgia, yet traditional or naturopathic remedies have often been successful in not only providing reassurance and validation, but also in relieving patient symptoms.

     All statements here are not claims to cure or treat any disease, provide any health benefit, and are for educational and thoughtful purposes only. If you need medical advice, please seek a qualified health care provider.