According to the National Health Service in the UK, “the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.”1
It is estimated that 3-6 percent of the world population is affected by fibromyalgia.2
Although there is still much work to be done to get a full understanding of the causes of fibromyalgia, in many cases the illness is triggered by an emotionally stressful event experienced in one’s past.
Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
First of all, the most important criteria to determine whether or not you have Fibromyalgia is intense pain in very specific areas of your body, including:
- Inside the elbows
- The collar bones
- Inside the knees
- The Hips
Usually, these locations are symmetrical, in other words, if you have it on the left side of the body you will also have pain on the right side. But the pain may not be limited to just these areas, in fact, patients frequently report pain all over their bodies such as in their muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which in many cases is accompanied by a feeling of exhaustion. A variety of other nebulous conditions are also reported, such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Depression, stress or anxiety
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbance
- Extreme fatigue
- Muscular pain
- Decreased pain threshold
- Problems with memory and concentration – ‘Fibro-Fog’
For the above reasons, the Budwig Center programs includes treatment to help clients sleep better. The body needs at least eight hours of solid sleep to begin to heal.
Is There a Treatment that can help with Fibromyalgia?
As is the case with other chronic illnesses, before you can really make an impact on improving your health, you need to first ‘clean house’ as it were. At the Budwig Center, we provide our clients with a full-body detox program that cleanses the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract. Because parasites are a contributing factor to many diseases, we provide herbal remedies to cleanse the body of harmful pathogens.
When we are exposed to toxins and regularly consume acidic foods, we create an ideal terrain for harmful pathogens to multiply and cause severe health issues.
Viruses and harmful bacteria are easily picked up as we interact with others, from animals (saliva, urine, and feces), decaying soil, ticks, mites, public areas (hospitals, spas, pools, public toilets, etc.), traveling abroad and sexual contact. They are everywhere, and our body is in a constant battle with them.
In our distance programs, we provide our clients with the GSR scan to find out which harmful pathogens are affecting your health. These systems also assist us in selecting the most effective natural treatment for you. In order to help the body in its fight pathogens, we apply biomagnetism as well as other natural treatments and therapies.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND EMOTIONAL BALANCING
In many cases, the fibromyalgia symptoms began with a significant emotional event that took place in one’s life. Perhaps a long drawn out divorce, serious financial problems, or some other kind of negative experience which has left emotional scars. We use a combination of emotional therapies in order to help resolve emotional conflicts. When the energy of our body is disrupted by negative experiences this can lead to disease (´dis´ ´ease’). Many people have been helped with “TAPPING sessions.” Tapping is a form of acupuncture but without needles. Acupuncture has also very been effective in reducing pain. Many integrative centers use “tapping” EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), floral remedies (Bach and Australian Flower remedies), EVOX and bioenergetic balancing and Bioenergetic restoration to treat patients’ emotional needs.
Many people with fibromyalgia may not be very keen on doing any exercise. However, a good 20 or 30-minute walk a day is important for all of us and is a key to good health. Longevity has always been associated with walking. Also, moderate exercise such as swimming, biking, stretching and using a mini trampoline is encouraged.
Most of us are deficient in vitamin D and people with fibromyalgia often find their pain levels are reduced by sunbathing. That is why many people with fibromyalgia enjoy spending time in sunny parts of the world. If you’re living in a part of the world were sunbathing is difficult then take 1000 to 5000 IU of vitamin D supplement daily.
If you can find a good massage therapist in your area you have found something precious. Regular massages help relieve anxiety, depression, and pain and it contributes to that overall feel-good effect.
Add Lavender essential oil to the massage oil mixture and put a few drops on your pillow or in a diffuser at night to help you have a better and deeper sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Food Supplements That Can Help with Fibromyalgia?
Vitamin D3: Interestingly, some of the new research in vitamin D shows it is very effective for muscle pain.3
Turmeric is very helpful for inflammation, which causes pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with unpasteurized honey helps keep the body pH neutral.
Budwig Center uses the GSR scan to test these supplements for effectiveness and tolerance in each individual case.
Are There Any Specific Foods to Eat or Avoid?
Try to eat whole, organic and locally grown food as much as possible. Stay away from white refined sugar. Make your own desserts using liquid stevia, xylitol (from birch tree), coconut sugar or unrefined cane sugar (most brown sugar sold in supermarkets is just white sugar covered with molasses).
Pork (ham, sausages, bacon, hot dogs, etc.) is loaded with toxins and creates an acidic environment that favors harmful pathogens. Refined oils suffocate the cells, so use only cold-pressed or extra virgin oils. Limit your consumption of certain grains. Wheat has a high gluten content, which could exacerbate your pain. Use oats, rice or almond milk instead of dairy. Meat is hard to digest in general so even if you look for healthy meat, decreasing or eliminating your meat consumption will certainly do something for your energy levels.
Here are some food items that could aggravate Fibromyalgia symptoms and should be avoided as much as possible:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Dairy
- Citrus
- Soy
- Nuts
Should I Exercise in My Condition?
Usually, people suffering from Fibromyalgia pain tend to shy away from exercise. However, a combination of aerobic activity and strength training can improve Fibromyalgia symptoms.
The secret is not to overdo it. You really do not have to do that much. You could do 3 minutes on a mini-trampoline (rebounder) twice a day, which will cleanse your lymphatic system. A 30-minute brisk walk every day is another very good option.
For more information, contact us.
References:
- National Health Service, Fibromyalgia. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/
- National Fibromyalgia Association, Prevalence. http://www.fmaware.org/about-fibromyalgia/prevalence/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Vitamin D Deficiency Promotes Skeletal Muscle Hypersensitivity and Sensory Hyperinnervation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3319727/