Fibromyalgia is very frustrating to endure and even more frustrating to treat. For many days the pain may be so bad that you just want to shut the door to your room and don’t even think about coming out.
Nonetheless, life is still very much worth living even if you’re afflicted with fibromyalgia. You have to learn to manage and control the symptoms of it and to focus on the non-pain instead of the pain.
It is true that doctors and medical researchers have yet to come up with an official cure for fibromyalgia. Nonetheless, there’s still no reason why you shouldn’t do everything that you can to lessen the pain as much as you can. Taking a bath is actually a very healing way to reduce the pain of fibromyalgia. Warm water alone can increase blood flow which in turn will drastically reduce the stress that you feel.
There are also a variety of baths that you can take. Including oils and herbs in the bath is just one of the ways to increase the healing and decrease the pain that you feel. Here are a few benefits of taking a bath each day:
Aromatic Bath
The old saying goes that taking an aromatic bath every day is the path to healing. Beyond that, you have absolutely nothing to lose by taking an aromatic bath each day. A soothing, hot bath at night with candles and herbs, scents and even music will be very beneficial as it has both a physical and a mental benefit to healing your fibromyalgia.
Epsom Salts
If you want to take the calmest bath possible, try taking a bath with Epsom salts. These kinds of salts contain magnesium which is critical to having your nervous system work properly. The main reason to taking a bath with Epsom salts, therefore, is to calm the nervous system as much as possible. They can also relax your muscles and reduce swelling as much as possible. In order for this treatment to be successful, add a cup of Epsom salts to your bath as it runs. Once the tub is filled up, dim the lights and turn on some candles. The experience will be very soothing and heal your body both physically and mentally. For this reason, Epsom salts in a bath are sometimes called the ‘calming bath technique.’
Sleepy Bath
A sleepy bath refers to putting chamomile flowers in the bath to ensure good sleep. Place a handful of fresh chamomile flowers in a bowl of hot water and let them sit for twenty minutes before placing your face in the bowl. Inhale the steam for a few minutes, and then lay down in a warm bath while holding two chamomile tea bags over your faces. You can also drink a glass of chamomile tea for added effect. Focus on breathing and allow your body to relax. You’ll begin to feel very sleepy, but that’s the entire point of this bath. Fatigue is a killer when it comes to fibromyalgia, so this method is designed to overcome the tiredness and exhaustion you feel.
Cleansing Bath
In a cleansing bath, you’ll need to bath for a half hour everyday for a week. The purpose of this bath is not only to clean your body, but to eliminate any negative feelings or emotions you feel as well. Add a pound of baking soda and one cup of sea salt, and make sure it’s mixed in the bath thoroughly. Then place the most soothing and calm music that you can find. Fibromyalgia is difficult to overcome, and while physical exercise is definitely a good thing to lower the symptoms, with a cleansing bath you essentially wash away any grime that build up while exercising physically. This will further motivate you to manage the symptoms.
Traditional Bath
You also don’t have to add baking soda or sea salt to your bath if you don’t want to, sometimes a traditional bath is all that’s needed! Nonetheless, if you want to get the maximum effect for lowering the symptoms of fibromyalgia with a traditional bath, you should still perform some tasks beforehand. For example, make sure that the bath is not too hot or too cold. If it’s too hot, you’ll feel more fatigued, and the goal of a bath isn’t to make you fall asleep in the bath tub. If the bath is too cold, you probably won’t be staying in it very long for obvious reasons. Also play soothing music and make sure the bath is in a dimly lit room if at all possible.
The goal of a traditional bath is not just to cleanse you physically, but it’s to soothe you after a long day at work and of stress. Sometimes a warm bath is all that’s needed to get plenty of sleep afterwards.
You can also massage yourself while you bathe. Begin by massaging your temples, neck and upper arms. Then work your way down and massage your hands, legs, knees and feet. This technique is especially effective while listening to soothing music in a dark room, and with essential oils in the water as well.
Rose Bath
– Believe it or not, but adding a half dozen or so drops of rose oil to the bath tub will be very effective in reducing your fibromyalgia symptoms. For added effect, you can also place in rose petals. The rose bath has been found to work the best when listening to soothing music and while eating on a good dessert item, such as chocolate.
Obviously bathing is not the only method that you should be using to bring down your fibromyalgia symptoms. Medication and physical exercise are also effective. The point of a bath is to overcome your stress, fatigue and pain that you feel after each long day. You’ll find that even when living with fibromyalgia, you can still live a healthy and fulfilled life.
Further reading:
10 Healing and Detoxing Baths for those with Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain:
Therapeutic Baths: http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/healing-waters.html
Getting The Most From Your Bath: http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/getting-the-most-from-your-bath.html
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