Formerly known as fibrositis, Fibromyalgia disease is characterized by chronic pain, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints, without detectable inflammation. Fibromyalgia does not cause body damage or deformity. However, undue fatigue plagues 90 percent of patients with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a common and potentially disabling condition affecting 2–5% of the population in developed countries, predominantly young to middle-aged women. Fibromyalgia has a varied and fluctuating clinical spectrum.



 

Symptoms :

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are variable. They can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms may disappear for extended periods of time, perhaps even years. Other people have pain every day, or experience variations between these two extremes. The most common symptoms are: 

















 

1. It is often associated with areas of tenderness, which are called trigger points or tender points. These are places on your body where even light pressure can cause pain. affecting many areas of your body. If you were to experience this pain for at least three months, doctors may consider this a symptom of fibromyalgia.
2. There may be increased responsiveness to sensory stimuli such as heat, cold, light, and smell.
3. The person may feel extreme fatigue/tiredness
4. There may be problems with memory and concentration 
5. Sleep pattern is usually disturbed
6. Anxiety and depression
7. Pain or dull aching in the lower abdomen
8. Fibromyalgia can be associated with other rheumatic conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Causes of Fibromyalgia :

There is no single cause of fibromyalgia. While different patients may have similar symptoms, each individual must have an extensive evaluation to determine specifically what's causing their pain. There are often many different factors contributing to a patient's illness. Some of the factors that have been implicated as a cause for the symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

1. Hereditary - Fibromyalgia is believed to run in families.

2. Accidents and injuries - It may be triggered by an injury or trauma 

3. Infection - After some viral infections.

4. Autoimmune disorders - These disorders occur when the body’s immune system sees its own tissues as foreign and attacks them. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are examples of autoimmune disorders.

5. Psychological and emotional stress - The onset of fibromyalgia has been linked with certain types of emotional stress.

Ayurvedic View :









 

The condition of fibromyalgia as per Ayurveda can be described as Mansa Dhatugat (muscular tissue based) and Mansavrit Vata (muscular tissues affected by the vata dosha). The body consists of three humors (vata, pitta, kapha). This disorder is caused by the aggravation of the vata dosha in the body. Aggravated vata destabilizes the nervous system and can create hypersensitivity, hence leading to pain and tenderness. There is also the accumulation of the Ama (toxins) which block the body channels which can also be another cause of fibromyalgia. So as the aggravation of Vatadosha and accumulation of Ama (toxins) are the primary causes, hence these should be treated mainly.

 

Ayurvedic Treatment of Fibromyalgia :

The treatment of fibromyalgia, which is primarily a vatavyadi disease, focuses on both Vata samshamana (re-balance) and samshodhana (purification) which become deranged due to the accumulation of ama (toxins). Our treatment for Fibromyalgia includes a combination of Panchakarma therapies, researched internal medicines, a strict Diet, and Lifestyle modifications.

Panchakarma / Ayurvedic Detoxification :





 

Pre-purification Measures namely 'snehan' and 'swedan' are very useful to balance 'Vata' and to loosen the toxins. Snehan is the Herbalized Oil Massage. This oil is applied to the entire body with a particular type of massage. Swedan is sudation or sweating and is given immediately following the snehan. An herbal concoction may be added to the steam to further enhance of effect. Daily herbalised oil massage also provides a deeply soothing and balancing effect to the entire nervous system. The motion of massage creates heat and friction which enhances circulation and helps cleanse the areas of chemical impurities that could be aggravating and hyper-sensitizing nerve tissues.

Ayurvedic Herbs and Herbal formulations used are :









 

1. Dashamularishtam 
2. Triphala guggul
3. Maharasnadi Kwath 
4. Vata Vidhwans Rasa
5. Balarishtam
6. Ashwagandha churnam
7.  Yograj guggul
8.  Ksheerbala capsules
9. Brahm rasayan
10. Mahanarayan thailam
11. Dhanwantram thailam
12. Murivena oil
13. Haridrakhandam
14. Brahmi vati
15. Sarapgandha ghan vati

Yoga for Fibromyalgia :






 

Some yoga postures can help to keep the muscles relaxed and reduce the pain and tension. Some of them are Sarvangasan, Shavasana, Garudasana and Bujangasana.

Health tips for Fibromyalgia :

1. Eat Healthy and Nutritious Foods 
2. Sleep more often – or sleep better 
3. Exercise Often
4. Get a Massage 
5. Manage your Stress

Management of Fibromyalgia can be done with Ayurveda very effectively as Ayurveda treatment of fibromyalgia includes body detoxification and correction of aggravated vata. The help of Rasayan therapy is also being taken with severe conditions. Contact Ayurvedic doctors at Life Line Ayurvedic Herbal Clinic to get your health condition assessed and a specific treatment plan could be made.