Ways To Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain Without A Trip To The Doctor

Living fibromyalgia isn’t easy. The chronic pain, aches, and overall discomfort make living life so much harder to do. This ailment affects all aspects of life for a sufferer, as well as the lives of those around you. From fatigue to depression, relationships can become extremely strained due to this strange and still seemingly unexplainable condition. Are there ways to reduce fibromyalgia pain without going to the doctor?

Since there is currently no cure, medications are at the forefront of trying to ease the pain and discomfort that fibromyalgia brings. With that said, medications only mask the pain and some do not always do so at a 100% effectiveness rate. So, many people are having to just “deal” and live with their constant pain. As helpful as medications can be, there are other steps that you can take to try to lessen the blow that comes with fibromyalgia. Here are three handy tips that you can try to ease the symptoms.

Low Impact Exercise

Working out and some form of exercise is usually recommended for any fibromyalgia sufferer, however getting up and moving around doesn’t always prove to be easy when living with chronic musculoskeletal pain. More and more fibromyalgia sufferers are turning to low impact exercise routines thanks to the practice of things like yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates. Exercise not only gets the blood pumping throughout the body, which in turn alleviates stress and tension on the muscles and joints, but it also helps to boost mood, reduce fatigue and strengthen the heart. Other low impact exercises such as cycling and swimming are great workouts too. All of these can help reduce fibromyalgia pain.

Sleep

Now, this may seem counterproductive, especially as fibromyalgia comes with its bouts of chronic fatigue, but doing your best to get a full night’s sleep, especially uninterrupted REM sleep, can really help. A full night’s sleep, between six and eight hours, helps the body to repair itself, it helps the brain recover and it eases the stress on the body. Some easy ways to help you to get to sleep and stay asleep are actually easy tweaks that you can make right in your own home, such as: reducing loud noises in the bedroom or the home, omitting all bright lights in the areas where you’ll be sleeping (blackout curtains are specifically designed for this) and avoiding alcohol or caffeine—especially up to an hour before you plan to fall asleep.

Reduce Stress

Much easier said than done for just about anyone, let alone anyone with fibromyalgia, but it can be done. Because fibromyalgia can affect the memory, sufferers often have brain fog, or the inability to properly recount information or think clearly. When this occurs it can be extremely frustrating, which can cause undue stress on the mind and body. Pacing yourself in all of the things you do each day is an effective and easy way to lower stress on the mind. Know your limits and don’t do too much all at once. Make lists, ask for help, and know when you’ve reached your limit. Many people find relief through meditation or breathing exercises too. Simply taking time away from your day to relax the mind, to stop whatever it is you’re doing, can help you to lower stress, and to increase your overall focus.