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Pain Management with Fibromyalgia
Originally published in Natural Living MagazineFibromyalgia is a disease of unknown cause or source, but it can be clearly related to our high stress and technologically advanced society. Associated causes include smoking, poor working conditions, hormonal changes, and physical and emotional trauma. This disease is unknown in less developed countries.
The symptoms of this disorder are diffuse muscular pain of the postural muscles. To be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, at least 11 out of a possible 18 points which have been discovered on the body must be extremely tender to the touch. When pressure is applied, these points of tenderness can be felt as small bead-like structures within the muscle. With increasing pressure, the level of pain also increases and can cause a referral of pain to other areas of the body. There are no known medical tests to confirm a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.
This condition affects approximately 10 to 15 million North Americans between the ages of 20 to 50, and is 20 times more common in females.
In addition to chronic muscle pain, the following additional symptoms are quite common: chronic fatigue, depression, arthritis, digestion difficulties, insomnia, poor concentration and menstrual disorders. The source of these multiple points of tenderness is a micro muscle injury from one of the above sources, which causes a sustained contraction of a small portion of a much larger muscle. This problem is irritated by lactic acid, which is the normal end result of muscle contraction.
Unfortunately, muscle contraction reduces blood flow to the involved area, which in turn reduces the ability of the body to flush lactic acid and creates a localized inflammatory reaction. This process is repeated throughout the body and becomes an unremitting chronic pain, which usually leads to a debilitating condition and, quite often, depression. Nutritional support for this condition is designed to help the injured muscle relax and allow for normal blood flow. This leads to a reduction in the amount of endotoxins which are left in the muscle and thus aid in the healing of the inflamed tissue.
Calcium and Magnesium are essential nutrients for proper muscle contraction. Magnesium has long been used in medicine to control muscle spasms. Malic Acid, which is usually combined with Magnesium, is the nutrient showing the most promising results in clinical trials. The following nutrients should be taken on a daily basis until symptoms subside: 1,200 mg of Malic Acid, 1,200 mg of Calcium Citrate, 500 mg of Magnesium, 3,000 to 5,000 mg of Vitamin C, 250 mg of Vitamin B6, 3,000 mg of Omega 3 and Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids, and 500 mg of Bromelain taken between meals.
You should also seek out a naturopath, a chiropractor or a massage therapist who is familiar with this condition in order to help with the physical rehabilitation of the involved tissue.
By Dr. Daryl Robert Bourke, DC ND
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