Fateh Srajeldin N.D.*
Fibromylagia, a mysteriously debilitating syndrome, is
taking an increasing toll on our population. It is characterized by the
constant presence of widespread pain so severe that it is often
incapacitating. In the United States, 3 to 6 million people may be
afflicted with its symptoms.
It is estimated that 15% to 20% of patients seen by
rheumatologists have fibromyalgia. The condition bears a striking
resemblance to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and mainly affects women aged
25-50 years.
For many years the diagnosis of fibromyalgia was perplexing. Like
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, patients are plagued with symptoms of chronic
muscle pain, aching, stiffness, disturbed sleep, depression and fatigue.
Finally research revealed a consistent finding on physical examination:
The presence of 18 specific points in muscles, tendons, or
bones that are tender and painful to the touch (see illustration). Many
subsequent studies have shown that these tender points can be used to
distinguish fibromyalgia from other painful joint and muscle conditions.
The identifying criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia is
pain or tenderness experienced in at least 11 of the 18 points.
They hypothesized that any condition that reduced
circulation sufficient enough to prevent adequate oxygen form getting to
the muscle cells might result in fibromyalgia.
In order to better understand the origin of fibromyalgia,
scientists conducted several studies that examined muscle chemistry,
physiology and structure. They found that victims of the syndrome
appeared to have reduced circulation into their muscle cells and damage
to the cells energy producing mechanism. This strongly suggests an
energy deficient state in the muscle tissues.
They hypothesized that any condition that reduced
circulation sufficient enough to prevent adequate oxygen form getting to
the muscle cells might result in fibromyalgia. It is also known that in
fibromyalgia the body breaks down muscle protein at an unusually high
rate and converts it to glucose for energy. This increased level of
muscle tissue breakdown has been interpreted at one of the min reasons
for the pain, aching and fatigue.
Despite long years of research, there is still no ideal conventional medical
treatment for fibromyalgia. An antidepressant drug known as amitriptyline
has been shown to provide some short-term relief: however, the drug is also
known, according to the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS),
to have adverse side effects. The CPS states that these adverse effects
include heart attack, stroke, irregular heart beat, coma, seizure and hair
loss. In addition, its long-term effects are still not known. Other studies
have tested the effects of ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin/Ibuprofen) and
found them to be no more beneficial than a placebo. Of the variety of
conventional treatments tested on fibromyalgia patients, all have yielded
poor to moderate results.
Naturopathic treatments address the causes of the symptoms
of fibromyalgia then use a natural treatment that has the least side
effects. Muscles integrity must be examined to check for artery chocking at
the point of entry on the wall of the muscle plus checking for uninterrupted
nerve supply especially at the point of entry on the wall of the muscle. It
is critical to supply the muscles with Fibrox, Cal 5 Mag.
Happily, new research indicates that fibromyalgia may be
associated with certain deficiencies that can be managed naturally
through nutrition. For the body to manufacture energy, it requires the
presence of certain compounds, including oxygen, magnesium, substrate (a
fuel for energy).
A shortage of any of these means the body cannot
efficiently manufacture and store ATP (energy storage molecules),
causing the individual to experience fatigue, depression and muscle
pain. It is interesting to note that patients with fibromyalgia tend to
be deficient in magnesium, which is one of the most crucial nutrients
for ATP energy production.
Another problem that can result from a magnesium
deficiency is aluminum toxicity, which may play a role in fibromyalgia
as well. Scientists have found that aluminum toxicity which may play a
role in fibromyalgia as well.
Scientist have found that aluminum toxicity can be
prevented by providing the body with adequate amounts of magnesium,
which actually blocks the toxic effects of aluminum. In addition, a
naturally occurring compound known as malic acid is a most potent
aluminum detoxifier and is especially effective in ridding aluminum from
the brain tissues.
In a recently published study, a combines preparation of
both magnesium and malic acid were given to patients with fibromyalgia.
The results of the study were encouraging: all patients reported
significant relief of pain within 48 hours of treatment, and within 4 to
8 weeks all patients had a significant and measurable decrease in the
pain and tenderness of the 18 points mentioned earlier.
Other nutrients that may prove to be helpful against the
syndrome include manganese because of its support of normal body
metabolism and therefore, normal energy levels; also vitamin B,
(thiamine) because of its support of proper oxygen metabolism. Vitamin
B1 deficiency symptoms are strikingly similar to many of the symptoms
experienced by fibromyalgia patients. These include apathy, confusion,
fatigue, insomnia, depression, numbness or burning in the hands and
feet, low blood pressure, low metabolism and shortness of breath.
In addition to nutritional support, mild exercise can help
alleviate some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia as well. According to a
study published in the American Journal of Medicine, fitness training in
patients with fibromyalgia improves subjective complaints of pain. Also,
regular chiropractic care, massage, heat treatments and rest can
decrease sensitivity at the tender points and improve stamina, energy
and mobility.
- Maintain proper bone position and thereby reduce abnormal biomechanical stress through regular chiropractic care.
- Provide thorough nourishment to your muscles, tendons and bones with the proper nutritional supplementation.
- Increase the amount of whole, fresh foods you eat.
- Engage in some type of regular aerobic exercise.
- Enjoy massage and/or heat treatments.
- Get plenty of rest.