Fibromyalgia? 6 ways to potentially relieve symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating chronic condition. Many people with this condition find it severely impedes their daily lives. Although there is usually no definitive cure, there are things you can do to relieve pain and symptoms. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at exactly what this condition is and what you can do yourself to manage it better.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. Most people with this condition often experience long-term pain in their muscles or connective tissue. There is usually no clear cause for this, and no visible inflammation in the body, which makes it a difficult condition to manage. It is precisely for this reason that some people even view fibromyalgia as ‘nonsense’, as there is no obvious cause. This is, of course, not the case.

It is often seen as a disruption in the way the nervous system processes pain signals. As a result, pain may be felt more intensely or for longer than normal.

What are the initial symptoms of fibromyalgia?

This chronic condition often begins with very general symptoms. These include:

  • Vague and persistent muscle or joint pain
  • Fatigue that does not go away with rest
  • Poor sleep or waking up feeling unrested
  • Morning stiffness
  • Sensitivity to pain and pressure on the body

In addition, you may also experience symptoms that do not affect everyone. For example, some people suffer from a burning or tingling sensation in their feet, tired eyes, changes in appetite and brittle nails.

Can fibromyalgia be cured?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, which means that, unfortunately, it cannot be cured with treatment alone. However, it is possible to reduce pain and manage symptoms. This is often achieved through a combination of a healthy lifestyle and complementary treatments, such as intranasal red light therapy.

What might be a cause of fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. It is likely to involve a combination of various factors. For example, a disruption in the processing of pain signals plays a part, but it can also be triggered by prolonged stress or other physical triggers. Furthermore, fibromyalgia may also be hereditary.

The fact that this chronic condition cannot be completely cured does not mean there is nothing you can do to relieve your symptoms. Below, you can read about possible ways to manage pain and symptoms.

6 ways to relieve fibromyalgia

1. Light exercise

If possible, it’s important to keep moving. This could include walking, yoga or gentle cycling. This helps keep your body supple and reduces stiffness. If you don’t exercise much, it’s important to build up your activity very gradually.

2. Try to minimise stress

Stress can make symptoms worse. That’s why it’s important to relax as much as possible and avoid potentially stressful situations. You can also try meditation, breathing exercises or mindfulness to relax your body and mind.

3. Relax your muscles with heat

It helps to relax your muscles to improve blood circulation and reduce stiffness. For example, have a warm bath or a warm shower, or use a warm compress.

4. Have a gentle massage

Massage can be very helpful for fibromyalgia, providing relief for the body and relaxing the muscles. In addition, there are various pressure points associated with fibromyalgia that can provide relief.

5. Ensure you eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help stabilise your energy levels. Some people follow a special diet for fibromyalgia, which mainly consists of anti-inflammatory foods.

6. Use red light therapy

Red light therapy can help with fibromyalgia in various ways. It can help to relieve pain, fatigue and other symptoms. Below, we explain more about how red light can help with this condition.

How does red light therapy help with fibromyalgia?

There are various forms of red light therapy that can help with fibromyalgia. One example is intranasal light therapy, where a nasal laser is used to stimulate the whole body. You can read more about this on this page.

In addition, there is also localised red light therapy, where you apply red light to painful, stiff or sensitive areas of the body. This can help with pain symptoms resulting from fibromyalgia. These are the potential benefits of localised red light therapy for this condition:

  • Muscle relaxation
  • A soothing sensation on painful areas
  • Reduces stiffness
  • Helps with sensitive or overworked muscles

Red light therapy is not a treatment for fibromyalgia, but it can work well as a complement to a healthy lifestyle. Many people experience greater physical relaxation and reduced pain.

Localised red light therapy with the PowerCure Pro

The PowerCure Pro is a red light therapy device that can offer the benefits listed above. It is a topical laser that you can easily use yourself. Furthermore, it can help not only with fibromyalgia, but also with other complaints and conditions. Click the button below to find out more about the laser.

More about the PowerCure Pro